A young woman named May is sent from China to London to marry a wealthy man, only to find herself entangled in the complex, often cruel, history of her new family. The narrative follows May as she navigates the rigid social expectations of the late nineteenth century, contending with the physical limitations imposed by her bound feet and the psychological weight of her husband's family secrets. The story unfolds through a multi-generational lens, examining the power dynamics between the East and West and the personal agency of women within restrictive domestic spheres. Harrison employs a lush, descriptive prose style that emphasizes the sensory details of the era while maintaining a focus on the internal lives of her characters.

The narrative structure suggests a focus on the intricate, often claustrophobic nature of family legacies and the physical manifestations of cultural tradition. The prose style points to a deliberate, slow-paced exploration of character psychology rather than a plot-heavy thriller. The setting serves as a critical component, contrasting the rigid social hierarchies of Victorian London with the traditions of China. The thematic threads indicate a preoccupation with the ways in which history and physical identity shape the trajectory of individual lives.