On Tour 05/01/25-06/21/25 “The Lotus Shoes” by Jane Yang

Release Date: January 7, 2025

About The Book:

1800s China. Tightly bound feet, or “golden lilies,” are the mark of an honorable woman, eclipsing beauty, a rich dowry and even bloodline in the marriage stakes. When Little Flower is sold as a maidservant—a muizai—to Linjing, a daughter of the prominent Fong family, she clings to the hope that one day her golden lilies will lead her out of slavery.

Not only does Little Flower have bound feet, uncommon for a muizai, but she is extraordinarily gifted at embroidery, a skill associated with the highest class of a lady. Resentful of her talents, Linjing does everything in her power to thwart Little Flower’s escape.

But when scandal strikes the Fongs, both women are cast out to the Celibate Sisterhood, where Little Flower’s artistic prowess catches the eye of a nobleman. His attention threatens not only her improved status, but her life—the Sisterhood punishes disobedience with death. And if Linjing finds out, will she sabotage Little Flower to reclaim her power, or will she protect her?

About The Author:

Jane Yang is the USA Today Bestselling author of THE LOTUS SHOES, a historical debut published in the U.S. and Canada on 07 January 2025. THE LOTUS SHOES is also published in the UK and worldwide, including translations into the following languages: Bulgarian, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Serbian, Spanish and Swedish.

Jane Yang’s family migrated from Vietnam to Australia when she was seven. She spent her childhood living in a Chinese-Vietnamese enclave. Due to her family’s limited means, extracurricular activities were not affordable; instead, Jane amused herself by binging Cantonese period dramas (rented from a video store that imported them from Hong Kong) and reading lots of historical fiction.

Although educated in pharmaceutical science, Jane still has one foot in the world of Chinese superstition: for luck, she keeps a minimum of five fish in her aquarium at all times.

Social Media:

INSTAGRAM: @janeyangwriting https://www.instagram.com/janeyangwriting/

X/Twitter: @JaneYangWriting

Tweets by JaneYangWriting

Editorial Reviews for THE LOTUS SHOES:

1. A STARRED review from Publishers Weekly. “Yang’s expert plotting and nuanced historical details result in an exceptional story that enchants from the first page to the last.”

2. “Brilliantly written, masterful storytelling, and hard to put down. This story will stay with me for a very, very long time.” —Heather Morris, #1 bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz

3. “I devoured this stunning debut! Yang’s fascinating glimpse into 1800s China, the power plays between multiple wives in a wealthy household, the fixation on prized golden lotuses, and the heroine’s exquisite embroidery “painting” held me spellbound. I can’t wait to recommend this novel to everyone I know!” —Alka Joshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Henna Artist

4. “Captivating and exquisitely rendered… For me, the centerpiece of the novel was the emotionally rich relationship between Linjing and Little Flower as it evolves over a lifetime and through multiple turns of fortune. I was invested in their story from the first page until the very last words. I so enjoyed this beautiful book!” —Melissa Fu, award-winning author of Peach Blossom Spring

5. “Embroidered with color and skill, The Lotus Shoes brings the turning world of nineteenth-century China to life, with the conflicts between traditional and modern attitudes handled with sureness and compassion. I enjoyed it immensely.” —Elizabeth Chadwick, bestselling author of The King’s Jewel

6. “Gripping from the very first page until the very last, The Lotus Shoes is a spellbinding, educational and heartbreaking tale of survival and courage. More than a book, this novel is an act of liberation and empowerment for women everywhere.” —Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai, internationally bestselling author of The Mountains Sing

7. “Jane Yang gives us a fascinating insight into the lives of Chinese women in the nineteenth century, and a sweeping story wrapped around their pain, joy and tenacity. You’ll love it!”—Mandy Robotham, USA TODAY bestselling author of The War Pianist

8. “The Lotus Shoes is a powerful story, beautifully told. Little Flower and Linjing’sstory is complex, brutal, tragic, and heartbreaking, but ultimately uplifting and satisfying. I feel I have learned a great deal about a place and period I knew very little about. Jane Yang is an exciting new talent and I can’t wait to read more from her.” —Santa Montefiore, bestselling author of The Secret of the Irish Castle

9. “The Lotus Shoes is about the plight of women in nineteenth-century China, and more importantly their spirit—their courage to stand up for themselves and each other in a world where slavery, foot-binding and polygamy try to diminish them. Yang’s elegant prose, eye for historical detail and storytelling prowess fully immerse the reader in her exceptional novel.” —Natasha Lester, New York Times bestselling author of The Three Lives of Alex St. Pierre

10. Stunning, transporting, unforgettable. The Lotus Shoes caught me hook, line and sinker from the first pages and Little Flower is the bravest character I’ve ever read. Jane Yang is going to be a star — AMANDA GEARD, author of THE MIDNIGHT HOUSE

11. “A fabulous read from the very first page, this is historical fiction at its absolute best. Yang’s carefully crafted characters and intricately woven tale showed me a part of history I knew nothing about, and had me reading until midnight to discover the ending. This is easily one of the best books I’ve read in years, and the story of Linjingand Little Flower will stay with me for a long time to come. If you liked Memoirs of a Geisha, then you will love The Lotus Shoes.” —Soraya M. Lane, bestselling author of The Secret Midwife

12. “Stitched intricately together with vivid characters, fascinating historical insight, and a gripping story.” —Rachel Louise Driscoll, author of The House of Two Sisters

13. “The Lotus Shoes is a remarkable, transportive debut novel. Jane Yang has created multi-dimensional, rich characters in Little Flower and Linjing, young women who must make morally fraught choices in a world that gives them little option. A story about the sacrifices mothers must make and the persistence of their daughters despite overwhelming odds, The Lotus Shoes will sweep you up in a tangle of emotion.” —E.M. Tran, author of Daughters of the New Year

14. Lush and sumptuous, The Lotus Shoes is a stunning exploration of female friendships, societal pressures, and identity in 1800s China. An epic piece of historical fiction with characters who will take up root in your heart, Yang weaves together shock, tragedy and hope in a story you won’t soon forget — ALLI PARKER, author of AT THE FOOT OF THE CHERRY TREE

Other achievements:

• USA Today Bestsellers List: THE LOTUS SHOES was on this list for two weeks (22 and 29 January 2025)

• Bookbub: THE LOTUS SHOES was selected as one of THE BEST HISTORICAL FICTION OF WINTER.

https://www.bookbub.com/blog/best-historical-fiction-winter-2025?universal=true

• Reader’s Digest: THE LOTUS SHOES was the January 2025 pick

• Indie Next: THE LOTUS SHOES was one of the January 2025 picks

https://www.indiebound.org/indie-next-list/202501

Links to U.S. media coverage for THE LOTUS SHOES:

Print
Oct 22 / PUBLISHERS WEEKLY / NEW YORK / Starred Review / “Yang debuts with a fascinating portrayal of ambition and cruelty in 19th-century China…expert plotting and nuanced historical details result in an exceptional story that enchants from the first page to the last.” / LINK
Nov 07 / BOOKLIST / Chicago / Review / “Yang paints lush landscapes in this coming-of-age tale about sisterhood, love, and status. A stunning debut for historical-fiction fans who appreciate complicated female leads.” / LINK
Feb 01 / HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY / Chicago / Essay

Praise from UK media:

1) Mesmerising. Jane Yang masterfully creates this 19th century lost world with the complicated customs that rule women’s lives ― THE TIMES, THE BEST HISTORICAL FICTION OF 2025 SO FAR

2) Heartbreaking and powerful. Set in 1800s China, this saga will completely transport you . . . Delving into class, gender, polygamous marriages and the practice of ancient foot-binding, 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

3) Set in 19th-century China, this fascinating, evocative story of two little girls with very different destinies would make a great book club pick ― RED, THE MONTH’S BEST BOOKS

4) Captivating . . . An utterly compelling read ― SUNDAY POST

5) Perfect for fans of Memoirs of a Geisha . . . beautifully evokes 19th century China ― HELLO!

6) Set in 1800s China, this big, juicy saga has scandal, hardship, love and sisterhood ― GOOD HOUSEKEEPING, THIS MONTH’S 10 BOOKS TO READ RIGHT NOW

7) Captivating ― HEAT

Bloggers On Tour:

May 1st- Reading On The Brink https://www.instagram.com/readingonthebrink

May 1st- Cassie’s Book Reviews https://instagram.com/cassies_books_reviews

May 5th- Laura’s Next Chapter https://instagram.com/laurasnextchapter

May 6th- Kelizak Reads https://instagram.com/kelizakreads

May 7th- Lindas Book Obsession https://www.facebook.com/lindasbookobsession/

May 9th- Get Outside and Read https://instagram.com/get.outside.and.read

May 9th- Marilyn Goncalves https://instagram.com/marilynjgon

May 13th – Sarahs Bookish Reviews https://instagram.com/sarahs.bookish.reviews

May 14th- Cat Reader 18 https://instagram.com/catreader18

May 15th – Nurse Bookie https://instagram.com/nurse_bookie