Peony in Love

As I listened to Peony in Love, I found myself utterly absorbed in the world of 16th century China. Janet Song's narration is, in part, responsible for this – her voice has a soothing quality that makes the story feel intimate and personal, even when the subject matter is fraught with tension. I particularly appreciated the way Song brought Peony to life, capturing the young woman's longing and determination with a depth and nuance that makes her feel fully realized. One of the things that struck me about Peony in Love is the way it explores the complexities of cultural identity. See does a remarkable job of conveying the strict social norms and expectations that governed women's lives in traditional Chinese society, while also highlighting the tensions that arose when these norms were challenged. If I have any quibbles, it's that the supporting cast of characters feels a bit one-dimensional at times – Peony's sister, for example, feels more like a plot device than a fully fleshed-out human being. Still, this is a minor complaint in an otherwise excellent novel, and one that I would highly recommend to fans of literary fiction and historical drama.