Ties that Bind, Ties that Break pgs.1-100

In the first 100 pages of Ties that Bind, Ties that Break we’re introduced to the main character, Ailin. Ailin meet her new fiancé, and she is only five. She is later told she needs to have her feet bound. The idea sickens her, but she gives in, and lets them wrap her feet. She keeps the wraps on for a few minutes, but then freaks out and takes them off. Because of her unbound feet, the respected Chinese family she is supposed to marry into breaks of her engagement. Eventually she starts public school, which was very uncommon for females at this time. Ailin learns she’s very good at speaking English, and befriends her English teacher. During this time her beloved father was becoming very ill. Eventually he passes away, and her awful uncle, Big Uncle, is head of the family. He decides to pull Ailin out of public school. Big Uncle has a hatred for Ailin, especially because of her unbound feet that caused her engagement to broke off. Then Ailin learns of a family that wants an amah who can speak fluent English. Ailin moves in with the family, but doesn’t quite see eye-to-eye with the father. They both have very different views on the world. Ailin’s strong minded personality might cause her trouble in this household.