Reviews

The Last Rose of Shanghai by Weina Dai Randel

jhovanabasto's review against another edition

challenging medium-paced

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

3.0

piaac's review

4.0

Enjoyable read

Kept me engaged and wanting to find out more. I couldn’t put the book down. I closed my eyes as I listened and could see the characters.

camchorse's review

emotional informative sad tense slow-paced

2.5

cgswan's review

emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

annesalwaysreading's review against another edition

1.0

DNF. I was really excited to read this book. I loved the political/cultural drama but the constant back and forth of a romance that didn’t draw me in ruined it for me. I don’t think it’s a bad book just SO NOT my cup of tea.

pam2375's review

3.0

This book has it all! It has a little romance, love, heartbreak, mystery and so much more. You will also find a LOT of twists and turns to the story that, for me, got a little confusing and distracting.

I did enjoy the setting of Shanghai, Japan during WWII, a location that I have not visited before.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for this advanced readers copy. This book released on December 1, 2021.

gm_'s review against another edition

challenging emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

vanessa_willis's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

magsmcwelch's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional informative medium-paced

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

4.0

I appreciated the historical context of Jews in Shanghai and the WWII era Japanese occupation of China. US WWII education tends to be quite European-focused, and I enjoyed this China-based historical setting. Elements of the story didn’t do it for me though. I enjoyed the first half of the book more than the second. For whatever reason, the story and characters felt less connected as the book went on, almost like the telling was at arm’s length. Aiyi’s connection to the documentarian felt obvious, and I didn’t like the very quick summary of the last 35 years at the end. Would prefer a bit more length to keep the depth and detail throughout. 

gabmc's review against another edition

2.0

I enjoyed getting to know some history of Jewish refugees in Shanghai and getting a feel for the city during WWII when it was occupied by the Japanese. The book makes me want to read more about this time period and there are several books recommended by Weina Dai Randel. Aiyi Shao is a rich young club owner in Shanghai in 1940 when she meets Jewish refugee Ernest Reismann who has just arrived in Shanghai with his younger sister Miriam. Ernest is a piano player and determined to find work to support his sister and eventually find a place to live so that when their parents arrive from Berlin they can all be together again. For me the writing is too overly dramatic and as much as I enjoyed the story I didn't feel a connection with Aiyi's character at all. She came across as shallow and selfish. Ernest has to endure so much and remains cheerful and positive, eventually being able to help other Jewish refugees who came to Shanghai. I would love to know if either character was based on a real person.