best friends |

Book End Babes, who is your laotong? Who is that friend that you feel like you have known forever? Who is that that one friend that you can’t imagine not being a part of your life? Well girlfriend, pick up the phone and call her.

This summer, you are going to want to make a date with her to see the film SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN. The film, opening in theatres on July 15, is inspired by the the bestselling novel by Lisa See, and is a timeless portrait of female friendship.

Directed by Wayne Wang (The Joy Luck Club, Smoke, Maid in Manhattan), and starring Bingbing Li (The Forbidden Kingdom), Gianna Jun (Blood: The Last Vampire), Vivian Wu (The Last Emperor), Hugh Jackman (X-Men, The Prestige) and Archie Kao (CSI, The One), the film is set in 19th-century China, and tells the story of two seven year old girls, Snow Flower and Lily, who are matched as laotong – or “old sames” – bound together for eternity. Isolated by their families, they furtively communicate by taking turns writing in a secret language, nu shu, between the folds of a white silk fan.

In a parallel story in present day Shanghai, the laotong’s descendants, Nina and Sophia, struggle to maintain the intimacy of their own childhood friendship in the face of demanding careers, complicated love lives, and a relentlessly evolving Shanghai. Drawing on the lessons of the past, the two modern women must understand the story of their ancestral connection, hidden from them in the folds of the antique white silk fan, or risk losing one another forever.

What unfolds are two stories, generations apart, but everlasting in their universal notion of love, hope and friendship.

I am already in love with this film, even though I have not read the book. I’m leaving you with some gorgeous images from the film, along with the trailer. But I have a request, and some advice.

I’d love for you to leave a comment, and tell me about one of your “sworn sisters for life.” Tell us a little bit about one of your friends! Then call her, and make that date to see this movie!

Now, check out these beautiful photos from the film, and watch the trailer. My advice, if you are anything like me, you might want to think about grabbing a Kleenex box and have it handy! Enjoy!

34957625 After You by Julie Buxbaum

First line: Let’s pretend that things are different.

What would you do if your best friend was killed in a mugging and your friend’s child witnessed the gruesome death?

Would you move across the ocean to help care for her, leaving your own life behind? This is just what Ellie Lerner does, taking over as the caretaker for young Sophie, who hasn’t spoken since the murder. Sophie’s father is distant and can barely look at her, which makes Ellie’s presence all the more important for the collective grieving within the household. AFTER YOU is Buxbaum’s second novel, a highly-anticipated read on my part after her stellar debut with THE OPPOSITE OF LOVE last year. Buxbaum’s writing is quite hypnotic and hits straight to the heart – especially since Buxbaum’s two novels have both dealt with loss. In each, the protagonist’s loss is at least in part her own doing. In AFTER YOU, Ellie doesn’t seem to grasp – or initially care – that her decision to stay and care for Sophie means leaving her marriage. As the story moves along we see why Ellie grapples with motherhood and marriage – her friend Lucy’s death was simply the final pin that burst the balloon. A revelation on Lucy’s past gives the book a surprising twist that made me examine why women do the things we do – for our children, and ultimately, for love. The book rarely lifts its tone above somber, though readers should be more than satisfied with the conclusion. Enjoyable, well-crafted and wholeheartedly recommended.

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Tag Archives: best friends

Books to Screen: Who is your Laotong, your sworn sister for life?

AFTER YOU