Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
Lisa See has captured a historical moment in this novel which, for me, is new and previously unknown. The depth of the suffering of the people of the newly formed PRC echoes throughout this novel, piercing any blinders I might have had about what communism might have been or might have been attempting to accomplish. I have long known about the abuses of power inherent in communist countries and in the efforts to bring about productive socialist frameworks. However, the abuses See sets forth in this narrative are truly chilling.
See weaves into this novel social commentary crucial to making her point by drawing parallels between how the people of Germany were cowed under Hitler and how the people of China were cowed by Mao Tse-Tung. She makes a compelling case for the importance of education and literacy in avoiding social injustice. She forces readers to reevaluate their ideologies by tapping into how humanity is at the mercy of the ideologically powerful.
At the heart of this story, though, is the idea of belonging, individuals making a difference, the love a mother has for her child, and the love between fathers and daughters: in other words, humanity is at the core of this story. Because of See's focus on humanity, the inhumanity of the historical period thrusts itself forward in a pronounced manner to leave a lasting impression.
Although I had not previously read _Shanghai Girls_, I now think I perhaps should. Even without reading the prequel to this novel, though, the story stands on its own as a compelling glimpse into history.
See weaves into this novel social commentary crucial to making her point by drawing parallels between how the people of Germany were cowed under Hitler and how the people of China were cowed by Mao Tse-Tung. She makes a compelling case for the importance of education and literacy in avoiding social injustice. She forces readers to reevaluate their ideologies by tapping into how humanity is at the mercy of the ideologically powerful.
At the heart of this story, though, is the idea of belonging, individuals making a difference, the love a mother has for her child, and the love between fathers and daughters: in other words, humanity is at the core of this story. Because of See's focus on humanity, the inhumanity of the historical period thrusts itself forward in a pronounced manner to leave a lasting impression.
Although I had not previously read _Shanghai Girls_, I now think I perhaps should. Even without reading the prequel to this novel, though, the story stands on its own as a compelling glimpse into history.
In 1957, Joy, the daughter of Pearl Louie, runs away to communist China in hopes of meeting her birth father. In the process, she throws herself in the upbringing of the New China, unaware of its dangers. Meanwhile, Pearl follows her in hopes to bring her back to Los Angeles, and sees that her homeland is not what it used to be.
TW: suicide, manipulation, starvation, hints of cannibalism
I knew I had to read Shanghai Girls and this sequel back-to-back, and it enhanced the reading experience.
According to the reviews, I may be in the minority, and others may feel differently, but there was not much of a balance between descriptions and dialogue (and there were more of the former than the latter), so it felt like telling instead of showing, which left me underwhelmed. I’m more of a visual person, and I know narrative books can’t be visual, but I prefer a balance of descriptions and dialogue.
However, I was able to take away some of the messages in this story. Communist China was a nightmarish and horrific, especially in the last 30%. The dual points of view of Pearl and her daughter Joy helped the experience too, that way we readers got to see what was happening in the city and the countryside.
TW: suicide, manipulation, starvation, hints of cannibalism
I knew I had to read Shanghai Girls and this sequel back-to-back, and it enhanced the reading experience.
According to the reviews, I may be in the minority, and others may feel differently, but there was not much of a balance between descriptions and dialogue (and there were more of the former than the latter), so it felt like telling instead of showing, which left me underwhelmed. I’m more of a visual person, and I know narrative books can’t be visual, but I prefer a balance of descriptions and dialogue.
However, I was able to take away some of the messages in this story. Communist China was a nightmarish and horrific, especially in the last 30%. The dual points of view of Pearl and her daughter Joy helped the experience too, that way we readers got to see what was happening in the city and the countryside.
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I struggled through the first 40 pages or so of this book and was so annoyed by the naivete and Joy's complete lack of any sense of self-preservation, that I basically couldn't bring myself to pick the book back up for almost a month. When I finally did decide to try again, I was pleased that it got so much better so quickly.
The book takes place during China's Great Leap Forward, and as such it's like being trapped on a slow motion train wreck. Lisa See goes through all the most commonly known misguided policies if that regime (the obsession with steel, the directive to kill sparrows, the complete ignorance of how agriculture works), and rushes us along to the expected result.
There are a few bright spots sprinkled in, a few touches of humanity.
But when I finished the book I felt like I didn't get much from it. I had already gone through the mental turmoil of learning about the Great Leap Forward when reading about it in a more historical context, and I didn't feel like Lisa See added much to that.
I'd rather just read [b:The Good Earth|1078|The Good Earth (House of Earth, #1)|Pearl S. Buck|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1312497600l/1078._SY75_.jpg|2346070] again if I want to immerse myself in the world of historical Chinese peasantry.
The book takes place during China's Great Leap Forward, and as such it's like being trapped on a slow motion train wreck. Lisa See goes through all the most commonly known misguided policies if that regime (the obsession with steel, the directive to kill sparrows, the complete ignorance of how agriculture works), and rushes us along to the expected result.
There are a few bright spots sprinkled in, a few touches of humanity.
But when I finished the book I felt like I didn't get much from it. I had already gone through the mental turmoil of learning about the Great Leap Forward when reading about it in a more historical context, and I didn't feel like Lisa See added much to that.
I'd rather just read [b:The Good Earth|1078|The Good Earth (House of Earth, #1)|Pearl S. Buck|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1312497600l/1078._SY75_.jpg|2346070] again if I want to immerse myself in the world of historical Chinese peasantry.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This novel was phenomenal. It was emotionally gripping, and it really improved on all of the little things that brought down my rating of the first installment. The characters felt as though they made tangible and progressive change in their development. Perhaps, because the frustrating back and forth with Pearl and May was not as much of a factor in this installment, that it really felt like they could actually grow from their flaws. I also found Joy's perspective and her naivety to be really engrossing to follow.
And the endingreally made up for all the pain the leads had to suffer through , it felt much more satisfying than the painful cliff-hanger the previous installment left me on (although, i would be really interested in reading a post-script anthology about what happens next for all the characters, if that was ever something that the author decided to put out).
And the ending
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Cannibalism, Murder, War, Classism
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Rape
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes