The Lotus Shoes: The captivating historical debut for fans of GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING and MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA

Paperback Published on: 26/02/2026
Price: £10.99
Free UK delivery on orders over £25, otherwise £2.99
In stock
Usually dispatched within 1-2 days
Make and edit your lists in your account
Check click & collect stock near you
Collect today: Pay in shop
In stock
Usually dispatched within 1-2 days
Check click & collect stock near you
Collect today: Pay in shop

Bookseller Reviews

View all
The Lotus Shoes
A stunning debut!
As a young, innocent child, Little Flower is sold off like nothing more than cattle to Linjing’s wealthy, benevolent family, destined to become a muizai, y... READ MORE
Dan - Clifton, Bristol.

Synopsis

'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.

China, 1800s. Little Flower is sold as a muizai to Linjing's family when they are both only children. Jealous of 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 different places in the household, over the years the two must put aside their bitter rivalry to secure both their futures through Linjing's marriage . . . Until scandal strikes the family, and Linjing and Little Flower's lives are 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?

Don't miss Jane Yang's next book, Winter of the Bride - available to order now.

'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 JOSHI
'This big, juicy saga has scandal, hardship, love and sisterhood' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
'A hugely talented writer whose storytelling prowess fully immerses the reader' NATASHA LESTER
'I enjoyed every single page of The Lotus Shoes' ELIZABETH CHADWICK
'Captivating, utterly compelling' SUNDAY POST
'You'll love it' MANDY ROBOTHAM
'Stunning, transporting, unforgettable' AMANDA GEARD

Publisher information

  • Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
  • ISBN: 9781408730324
  • Number of pages: 400
  • Dimensions: 194 x 126 x 30 mm
  • Weight: 278g
  • Languages: English

Customer Reviews

View all
The Lotus Shoes
Captivating historical fiction set in China
Oh my goodness what a wonderful read. I soaked up every page. Set in 19th century China this is the story of two very different girls/women. At the tende... READ MORE
Lynda’s Book Reviews
The Lotus Shoes
A great read
This is a great read, a new take on a story of Chinese foot-binding, with Linjing encouraged by her father to adopt natural feet rather than having her fee... READ MORE
Lucy Williams
The Lotus Shoes
A splendid historical fiction
I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me an arc of this book. The cover and the summary are what made me curious and ask for an ... READ MORE
Fukawa Kouji
The Lotus Shoes
Engrossed in the narrative
An engaging and thought provoking read depicting the role of women in 19th Century China. Little Flower begins her life in a loving but poverty stricken en... READ MORE
Diane Dunn
The Lotus Shoes
Five stars!
The Lotus Shoes is a breathtaking and haunting novel that delves deep into the complexities of friendship, betrayal, and societal expectations in a world s... READ MORE
The Secret Book Review
The Lotus Shoes
good read
What I loved the most about this book is the character development of the main character, who is a strong female with a lot of resilience. I struggled with... READ MORE
june.reads
The Lotus Shoes
Emotional Journey
Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK When I first opened "The Lotus Shoes," I was immediately captivated by the promise of a heart-rendi... READ MORE
Bzz Kolla
The Lotus Shoes
I loved every page
A beautifully written and immersive story of two girls from completely different backgrounds growing up in China in the late 1800's. They come together whe... READ MORE
Sarah Burton
The Lotus Shoes
Sisterhood and Betrayals
The Lotus Shoes was a truly captivating historical debut by author Jane Yang. Set in late 19th-century China, a time when Western modernization began influ... READ MORE
Alexandra Ayana
The Lotus Shoes
Very enjoyable
A beautifully written and gentle paced story set in the last decades of the nineteenth century. This story is a powerful insight into the lives of Chinese... READ MORE
Janet McMahon
The Lotus Shoes
Deeply immersive historical fiction
The Lotus Shoes by Jane Yang is a deeply immersive work of historical fiction inspired in part by the author's family history. In the book we follow the in... READ MORE
Annette  Jordan
The Lotus Shoes
Can dreams become a reality?
Can dreams become reality? Little Flower born into poverty, but still has her feet bound at an early age. To save herself and Little Flowers brother her M... READ MORE
Margaret Moore