We were all fascinated by this novel based on the life of Tan Yunxian, a woman doctor from 15th Century China during the Ming dynasty. What an extraordinary woman, with an extraordinary grandmother who inspired and taught her virtually all she knew about midwifery and childbirth in China, where medicine and science were well ahead of the western world.  

The American author,  Lisa See, of Chinese heritage herself,  had researched her subject matter and created an engaging story about the protagonist and her 'circle of women' based on the note books and diaries of Tan Yunxian and subsequent written records of Chinese medical works. She wrote this book during the Covid lockdown,  incorporating contagious infections and vaccination practices of the time. We also acknowledged how much  contemporary practices today are based on natural sources such as roots and shoots, berries and seeds. Where would we all be without the glorious poppy?

The novel incorporated so much about the life and times of the period, and being about women and women's lives we could all relate to it. It is unimaginable that Tan Yunxian lived to the ripe old age of 98, surrounded by ailments, infections and germs. We talked about the millions of women today, in 2025, who are subjected to horrific castigation due to their female bodies; including FGM, isolation as a result of 'being unclean', fistulas following childbirth when 'children' give birth when still children themselves and the deeply ingrained misogyny surrounding women's bodily fluids that are perpetuated in certain societies and cultures. No wonder women, per see, have forged such strong bonds in order to survive and overcome the challenges of being born female. 

We would encourage anyone interested in women's health, or indeed China, to read this book.