The novel is based on the story of three generations of women. Apparently this is written by the granddaughter. The novel starts with the story of her grandmother, a concubine dealt out by her father, bound feet and all. The story continues on to her mother who took part in the communist revolution. The rest of the novel follows the granddaughter's (Chang's) life and involvement in the cultural revolution.
There is a Japanese version too. (日本語版もあります) I got the English version Junkudo. I love that place...
Wildly,
pat