THE CAPTIVATING, HEART-RENDING STORY OF TWO WOMEN IN 1800S CHINA 'Brilliantly written, masterful storytelling, and hard to put down. This story will stay with me for a very, very long time' HEATHER MORRIS, author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz 'Mesmerising. Jane Yang masterfully creates this 19th century lost world' THE TIMES 'This story of love, loss and betrayal will leave a deep imprint on your soul. Perfect for fans of Memoirs of a Geisha' WOMAN & HOME Love and loss. Sisterhood and betrayal. Little Flower and Linjing's fates are bound together. As a child, Little Flower is sold to Linjing's wealthy family to become a muizai. In a fit of childish jealousy over her new handmaiden's ladylike bound feet and talent for embroidery, Linjing ensures Little Flower can never leave her to ascend in society. Despite their starkly different places in the Fong household, over the years the two girls must work together to secure both their futures through Linjing's marriage. As the two grow up, they are by turns bitter rivals and tentative friends. Until scandal strikes the family, and Linjing and Little Flower's lives are unexpectedly thrown into chaos. Linjing's fall from grace could be an opportunity for Little Flower - but will their intertwined fates lead to triumph, or tragedy for them both? 'Jane Yang is an exciting new talent' SANTA MONTEFIORE 'More than a book, this novel is an act of empowerment for women' NGUYEN PHAN QUE MAI 'Enchants from the first page to the last' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, STARRED REVIEW 'This fascinating, evocative story would make a great book club pick' RED 'Captivating and exquisitely rendered' MELISSA FU 'If you liked Memoirs of a Geisha, then you will love The Lotus Shoes' SORAYA LANE 'I devoured this stunning debut' ALKA JO