When she was small, Little Flower was sold into slavery by her mother to the wealthy family of Linjing, a young girl to whom Little Flower would be a lifelong handmaiden. Little Flower was talented at embroidery and had the bound feet (or "golden lilies"), two attributes that Linjing lacked and was massively jealous of. Due to their master and servant relationship, as well as Linjing's envy, the two young women's lives become inextricably tied through thick and thin, as they both try to make their way in a world that is immensely limited for women.
While this book gives an in-depth look at the insane limits and impossible standards of women in 1800s China, it became increasingly frustrating to read, especially as, even when their fortunes take a dive, Linjing mulishly refuses to see Little Flower as anything other than her servant, despite evidence to the contrary — and Little Flower lets her! As frustrating as that is, it IS realistic, something that cannot be said about revelations that occur late in the book. An intriguing book, but not exactly my favorite.
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