I bought this book for a throwaway price, (Rs 125 or around $3) and after finishing this captivating story, I was wondering why it was so lowly priced. No value for goodness, is there? Women of The Silk follows the life of Pei -from her silent childhood, to the life of a silk worker in 20th century China, chafing under Japanese rule. Weaving in some unforgettable characters, the book has a lyrical, almost musical quality to it. The poetry in it though, is simple. I, for one, can't understand a book that is complicatedly verbose and beyond my limited vocabulary. But Gail choses her words with care - and that care makes one drawn into the story. All presented against a backdrop of old China as it is scarcely portrayed now.

Without a doubt, one of the best books I have read this year. Brave, uplifting, and different. Pei, Lin, Chen Ling - their struggle for independence a touching tribute to friendship. There are too many books on China these days - but this is exceptional. ( )