This is the story of a Chinese family, Yixun and Wu and their two daughters during the cultural revolution. The parents are both successful, architects in Beijing, but have been sent to a rural area for re-education i.e. hard labour. The girls, Tiao 12 and Fan 7, are left to fend for themselves in a neighbouring city, Fuan. When Wu is sent home on sick leave she begins an affair with a local doctor which results in the birth of a 3rd daughter, Quan. At the age of 2 she dies suddenly in an accident which has repercussions throughout the remainder of their lives. The two sisters once very dependent on each other, take different paths in life. Tiao has a long term affair with a married actor and Fan marries an American and emigrates. There is a 3rd character who is well-developed, Fei, the niece of the doctor. He is raising her after his sister was killed by the government because of her status as a solo mother. Fei becomes Tiao's close friend. We follow these womens lives from their childhoods during the cultural revolution through to maturity in their late thirties as they each seek to find happiness.
There has been much criticism of this book, especially the descriptions of sex , however I feel this book was written for a Chinese audience and the reader must read it through the eyes of a different cultural sensibility. These women are very much a reflection of the culture they were raised in. The commendation by Xinran on the cover was recommendation enough for this reader.
The title of the book finds its origins in the painting Women Bathing by Cezanne. It refers to women naked, exposed, both emotionally and spiritually rather than physically bathing. ( )