Bound

Thoughts on Bound by Donna Jo Napoli:

Back cover reads:

“Young Xing Xing is Bound. Bound to her late father’s second wife and daughter. Bound to a life of servitude as a young girl in ancient China, where a woman is valued less than livestock. Bound to be alone, with no parents to arrange for a suitable husband. Xing Xing spends her days taking care of her half sister, Wei Ping, who cannot walk because of her foot bindings, the painful tradition for girls who are fit to be married. Even so, Xing Xing is content to practice her gift for poetry and calligraphy, and to dream of a life unbound by the laws of family and society.

But all of this is about to change as Stepmother, who has spent nearly all of the family’s money, grows desperate to find a husband for Wei Ping. Xing Xing soon realizes that this greed and desperation may threaten not only her memories of the past, but also her dreams for the future.”

Reaction:

I liked it. I’m not turning back flips over it. It was just a simple story. I’m really interested in Asian-American literature, so there were a lot of things about the plot that I enjoyed. I was particularly interested in the imagery and poetry. However, when it comes down to it, it’s a simple retelling of Cinderella. It kind of ends abruptly and coincidentally. Not so sure about the literary merit, but I would use it in my classroom. I like Ties that Bind, Ties that Break much better. The protagonist in this story is strong, but she’s not well-developed. I really don’t think this wins a Word Nerd Seal of Approval, though.

Quotes:

“A person who is about to die gives off an aura that those who love him should be able to sense” (60). Gramps.

“If you fall into water, you may still be saved. But if you fall down in literary matters, there is no life left for you” (109). MWAHAHAHAHAH. It's true.