Rarely have I come across a book that so completely immersed me in a world of the author's creation. Back in my reading heyday (when summer vacation meant three full months of leisure time) I would have finished it in a night; as it was, it took me a few sittings, but I always hated putting the book down. I picked up this book because of the reading requirement for a book group I'm joining at my local library, and I wasn't disappointed. Lisa See's usage of style and language fit in beautifully with her historical Chinese setting. A word of warning, though - the book gets a bit graphic in some of the scenes, so just be prepared. I have a somewhat weak stomach myself, but I thought those scenes really made the book, and I appreciated the author's candor in not sugar-coating them. I'm not sure how accurate the historical details are, but then again, it is a work of fiction. It entertained me, and at the end it made me think - what more could you ask for? Definitely a must-read!