February Flowers is not a coming of age novel, though it might seem like it at first. Instead although the setting is China in the 1990s, the theme is much more universal – a friendship between two opposites in a cloistered environment. Read college friendship. The story is that of Ming, a 17 year old freshman, who is befriended by Yan, a 24 year old undergraduate. The two are of course, poles apart. Ming is conformist, quiet and prefers books and music. Yan is openly sexual, outgoing with many boyfriends.

Despite a rather sparse writing style, Wu manages to capture the transition from girlhood into womanhood perfectly. She reveals the development of the friendship slowly, in a show rather than tell manner, and the characters definitely stay true to character. Ming does not lose her shyness overnight and Yan doesn’t immediately mellow down. But Ming’s thoughts do evolve as she revaluates her views on sex, relationships and even alcohol. Throughout the narrative are of course, fascinating glimpses into Chinese life in Guengzhou, where the girls are studying. There are even contrasts with Ming’s native province that serve to make the narrative more authentic.

zhāng jìng qí