In nineteenth-century China, in a remote Hunan county, a
girl named Lily, at the tender age of seven, is paired with
a laotong, “old same,” in an emotional match that will last
a lifetime. The laotong, Snow Flower, introduces herself by
sending Lily a silk fan on which she’s painted a poem in nu
shu, a unique language that Chinese women created in order
to communicate in secret, away from the influence of men.
As the years pass, Lily and Snow Flower send messages on
fans, compose stories on handkerchiefs, reaching out of
isolation to share their hopes, dreams, and
accomplishments. Together, they endure the agony of foot-
binding, and reflect upon their arranged marriages, shared
loneliness, and the joys and tragedies of motherhood. The
two find solace, developing a bond that keeps their spirits
alive. But when a misunderstanding arises, their deep
friendship suddenly threatens to tear apart.
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