This first edition is near fine, no marks, pages are tight and appear unread, the book is tight, square, and unmarked. The dust jacket is unmarked, beige cloth boards, and bright gilt lettering on the spine of the book. Ruth Young, an American writer, reads her mother LuLing's memoir, written in Chinese, and uncovers the story of LuLing’s early life in a small Chinese village. The narrative reveals tragic family secrets, including the mysterious figure of Precious Auntie—a healer and the bonesetter’s daughter, whose influence profoundly shaped LuLing's life. The novel was later adapted into an opera, which premiered in 2008.