Medicine Woman

Despite my love of historical fiction, Lady Tan's Circle of Women (2023) by Lisa See, was not on my radar. Fortunately, it was recommended by a friend who loaned me a copy. As soon as I started reading, I became fully enthralled. 

It is the story of Tan Yunxian, born 1461 in the Ming Dynasty. Yunxian is sent at age eight to reside with her grandparents in the Mansion of Golden Light, when her mother dies after an infection in her bound feet. Her grandmother was a physician who taught Yunxian at her side, passing on treatments to support women.  Here she befriends Meiling Shi, the daughter of a midwife, the first and only friend she has. 

At age 15 she is married to Yang Maoren, the eldest son of wealthy silk merchants, and sent to live in the Garden of Fragrant Delights. Isolated from her family, and under the thumb of her husband's family, Yunxian's only role is to give birth to sons. Her mother-in-law, Lady Kuo, forbids her to practice medicine. Despite this, many women in the household know of Yunxian's skills and seek her wisdom.

During this time women were not permitted to practice medicine.  Doctor Wong would attend to his female patients by sitting behind a screen so he would not gaze upon them. Men did not understand the challenges women faced and were ill-equipped to support fertility issues, menopause, miscarriage, postnatal depression, and other concerns. Midwives, who were essential during childbirth, were viewed with distaste by the medical establishment and carried the burden of ensuring a safe delivery. 

Lady Tan's Circle of Women is a story about a lifelong female friendship, forged across class divides. But beyond Yunxian and Meiling, the circle includes daughters, sister, aunts and concubines. The social network was essential as the men were so often away. Life for women in this time was dangerous and strictly aligned to traditional gendered roles. While men could earn money, take exams and be appointed to positions of power, women existed for the pleasure or succession of men. 

The story follows Yunxian throughout her life, as she ages and becomes head of the household. Along the way there is plenty of intrigue as she travels to Beijing to the court of Empress Zhang, battles illnesses, and uncovers a dark secret. In later life she solidifies her legacy by publishing Miscellaneous Records of a Female Doctor, one of the earliest writings of a female doctor in China. It remains in print today. 

Author Lisa See weaves her extensive research into the novel. I was fascinated by how Yunxian would diagnose her patients, the inventive treatments she prescribed, and the way in which various terms were used ('child palace', 'heavenly flowers').  The descriptions of the courtyards, gowns, furnishing and scenery are vivid, transporting the reader to another time and place. Lisa See's website has a section where readers can step inside Lady Tan's world and learn more.

Overall, I really enjoyed this historical novel. Lisa See is probably best known for her novel Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (2005) but there are plenty of others including Peony in Love (2007), Shanghai Girls (2009), and The Island of Sea Women (2019) to name a few. I have no doubt that I will be exploring other novels by Lisa See in the future.