Reviews

China Dolls by Lisa See

rmarcin's review against another edition

4.0

I am very glad that this novel was suggested as a book club selection. I did not like the first Lisa See Book I read, but I really enjoyed this one. I learned a lot about Chinese Americans, the prevalent racism against Asians, and the Chinese nightclub circuit. I also learned a bit about the Japanese internment camps during WWII, as well as the treatment of Japanese Americans.
This novel follows Grace, Helen, and Ruby as they struggle to break into show business, and navigate through the end of the Depression and through WWII.
This is a novel that covers a great deal of history and I thought Lisa See did a great job with it.

#ChinaDolls #LisaSee

iza_g's review against another edition

adventurous informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

erincataldi's review against another edition

4.0

Man - I really enjoyed this book! Three young Chinese Americans meet up in San Francisco during the late thirties and become fast friends. They bond through their love of the spotlight. They love being on the stage and dancing, dazzling the audience with the grace and wit. From Forbidden City Nightclub to other venues; they delight in sequins, lace, and silk. Grace is outgoing but escaping a hard past in Plain City, Ohio. Helen is smothered in her family compound in San Francisco's Chinatown. Ruby left her parents in Hawaii to find stardom in California. The three share many ups and downs, lots of prejudice from White Americans, especially when America enters the war. Can their friendship survive all? Told through alternating perspectives; this is a timeless, complicated, and unique story of friendship. Wonderful!

wekubek27's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

ankesmeele's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

katiechavez10's review against another edition

3.0

I found this to be a slow read but did enjoy it especially towards the end

mmc6661's review against another edition

5.0

I have never been disappointed in a Lisa See book yet and again she delivers an entertaining read filled with lively characters and some historical references. Loved this book and felt so pulled into the lives of Ruby, Grace and Helen that I didn't want to let them go. As always Lisa See is a wonderful read ! Can't wait till her next !

retiredlibrarylady's review against another edition

5.0

I really like Lisa See's books and this did not disappoint. A real eye-opener about prejudice against Asians in the 40s and the experience of the Japanese-Americans after Pearl Harbor. As usual with this author, I really cared about the characters.

annicamon's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, War, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Death

snazzyabby's review against another edition

5.0

I LOVED this book! The history tied in with the romance and strong female friendships is always what makes Lisa See’s books so divine. I intend to read every single one of her books!