Illiterarty.com Book reviews and blogs by Bridget

I can’t say I ever thought that much about the tradition of foot-binding, which in some places in China was still happening at the beginning of the twentieth century. Whenever I previously heard it mentioned, it was always in a context that suggested the practice was barbaric and cruel, but I don’t think I every fully conceptualised the idea. Thanks to Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, I am now somewhat better informed on the subject of footbinding, as well as other traditions and lifestyle practices in nineteenth century China. Ouch.