The granddaughter of one of the only female doctors in China, Yunxian is taught all about women's illnesses, alongside her best friend Meiling, a midwife-in-training. When Yunxian becomes a wife in an arranged marriage, Yunxian is forbidden from speaking to Meiling or helping the household women. Determined to break away from tradition, Yunxian goes on to treat women from every level of society in this novel based on a true story from the Ming Dynasty.

A story about women supporting women, Lady Tan's Circle of Women excellent showcased the struggles women of all classes of society faced in ancient China. An enveloping read with deep themes, this fictional tale of a real doctor favors descriptive storytelling over emotional attachments. Thus, this slower story is perfect for readers who like to be fully immersed in historical fiction.