Lee's novels depict romantic relationships and tensions between men and women that are tinged with sadness. She has said they are inspired by personal experience. Lee often adapts elements of early Chinese vernacular literature and the supernatural, to retell a well-known theme or story from an underdog perspective. Her novel "Green Snake" was based on "White Snake", an ancient Chinese novel in which two snakes become humans and learn about love and suffering. This treatment is an evolution from the original story, "White Snake", where Green Snake is only a supporting character. "Green Snake", the emotional and beautiful Green Snake is the main character, who is in love with Xu Xian.