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danilediard's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
astilbethehobbit's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
5.0
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Lisa See once again mines her family history and heritage to craft a compelling story of sisterhood, sibling rivalry, courage, fear, family loyalty and the immigrant experience. Sounds like a lot to cover in one book, and it is. But See is mostly up to the task.
Pearl and May are the two Chin sisters, living in comparative wealth in 1937 Shanghai, the Paris of Asia. They are attractive and dress very well, and have good “careers” as “Beautiful Girls” – modeling for advertising posters selling everything from tires to face cream. But their idyllic world is about to collapse. Their father has arranged marriages for them to two brothers from Los Angeles, and very soon they will leave the China they know and love for a foreign land where they are considered dirty and unwelcome infiltrators.
The novel covers two decades of time, encompassing the Japanese invasion/occupation of China, World War II, the glory years of Hollywood studios, the emerging power of Chairman Mao, and the McCarthy Era with its Communist witch hunts. The sisters survive horrific events, and emotional turmoil that is sometimes of their own making. But their loyalty to one another is unshakable … or is it?
While I have studied some Chinese history, and was aware of some of the issues brought up in the book, the novel really shines a light on this two-decade period in both China and the United States. The story completely captivated me and I could not read fast enough to learn what would happen. Most good books have some element of conflict, and this one is no exception. See gives Pearl the job of narrating the story, and a few times I wished to hear May’s point of view; I think the sibling rivalry might have been stronger if she had given both sisters a voice. But then again, having just one narrator makes the climax all the more interesting.
The major fault I see in this book is the cliff-hanger ending. It screams “sequel coming” and that irritates me. I’m not saying I need every plot to be wrapped up nice and neatly in a pretty bow, but without giving anything away, I can only say that this ending was really dissatisfying for me. I like See’s writing and I’ll read a sequel (I believe there is one), but personally I would have preferred more of an ending to this novel.
Pearl and May are the two Chin sisters, living in comparative wealth in 1937 Shanghai, the Paris of Asia. They are attractive and dress very well, and have good “careers” as “Beautiful Girls” – modeling for advertising posters selling everything from tires to face cream. But their idyllic world is about to collapse. Their father has arranged marriages for them to two brothers from Los Angeles, and very soon they will leave the China they know and love for a foreign land where they are considered dirty and unwelcome infiltrators.
The novel covers two decades of time, encompassing the Japanese invasion/occupation of China, World War II, the glory years of Hollywood studios, the emerging power of Chairman Mao, and the McCarthy Era with its Communist witch hunts. The sisters survive horrific events, and emotional turmoil that is sometimes of their own making. But their loyalty to one another is unshakable … or is it?
While I have studied some Chinese history, and was aware of some of the issues brought up in the book, the novel really shines a light on this two-decade period in both China and the United States. The story completely captivated me and I could not read fast enough to learn what would happen. Most good books have some element of conflict, and this one is no exception. See gives Pearl the job of narrating the story, and a few times I wished to hear May’s point of view; I think the sibling rivalry might have been stronger if she had given both sisters a voice. But then again, having just one narrator makes the climax all the more interesting.
The major fault I see in this book is the cliff-hanger ending. It screams “sequel coming” and that irritates me. I’m not saying I need every plot to be wrapped up nice and neatly in a pretty bow, but without giving anything away, I can only say that this ending was really dissatisfying for me. I like See’s writing and I’ll read a sequel (I believe there is one), but personally I would have preferred more of an ending to this novel.
meganannstan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
bribri's review against another edition
emotional
sad
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
4.0
categj's review against another edition
4.0
Once again, Lisa See has transported me to a different time and a different culture with her book Shanghai Girls. The two main characters, sisters, May and Pearl, are realistically portrayed as is their "sister love". Their story, from their birthplace in Shanghai to their new home in California is both heartfelt and heartbreaking.
This historical novel relives the hardships that the Chinese people endured in the United States when they fled Shanghai after the Japanese invasion, through World War II, and Chairman Mao's communist takeover of their beloved China. The traditions of an ancient people and the westernization of Shanghai combine to illustrate the trials and tribulations of the two sisters who envision a life of wealth, happiness and safety after the downfall of their father leads to tragedy for the Chin family.
May and Pearl, together, face tragedy and overwhelming obstacles as they try build a new life for themselves and for Joy, born in America to May, but claimed by Pearl. The sisters' love for one another stays strong through the ups and downs of life and they come to see each other in a new understanding of their families, their past and their true characters.
This book is a compelling story of ancient traditions, love, loyalty, and tragedy in a time when fear tore families apart, in China and in North America.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction. I look forward to reading Ms. See's book, a continuation of this story, Dreams of Joy.
This historical novel relives the hardships that the Chinese people endured in the United States when they fled Shanghai after the Japanese invasion, through World War II, and Chairman Mao's communist takeover of their beloved China. The traditions of an ancient people and the westernization of Shanghai combine to illustrate the trials and tribulations of the two sisters who envision a life of wealth, happiness and safety after the downfall of their father leads to tragedy for the Chin family.
May and Pearl, together, face tragedy and overwhelming obstacles as they try build a new life for themselves and for Joy, born in America to May, but claimed by Pearl. The sisters' love for one another stays strong through the ups and downs of life and they come to see each other in a new understanding of their families, their past and their true characters.
This book is a compelling story of ancient traditions, love, loyalty, and tragedy in a time when fear tore families apart, in China and in North America.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction. I look forward to reading Ms. See's book, a continuation of this story, Dreams of Joy.
foraging_pages's review
4.0
Shanghai Girls chronicles the journey of Pearl and her sister May from the glamour and wealth of upper-class Shanghai to the gutters of peasant life when misfortune and war upend their lives.
They go from having agency over their bodies as “beautiful-girls” who sit for paintings and earn wages to losing all agency as brides and victims of war.
This book is HEAVY at times. It shows the beginnings of war, the immigration process of the 1930s, and just a flat-out lack of humanity. Pearl and May have to begin their lives anew in a country that doesn’t want them. And over the years as World War Two ends and the Cold War begins, everyone looks at the Chinese as the enemy. It’s despair after despair.
Through it all, Pearl and May represent the powerful bond of sisterhood. Their story is equal beautiful and heartbreaking.
TW: descriptions of war (death, blood), sexual assault
They go from having agency over their bodies as “beautiful-girls” who sit for paintings and earn wages to losing all agency as brides and victims of war.
This book is HEAVY at times. It shows the beginnings of war, the immigration process of the 1930s, and just a flat-out lack of humanity. Pearl and May have to begin their lives anew in a country that doesn’t want them. And over the years as World War Two ends and the Cold War begins, everyone looks at the Chinese as the enemy. It’s despair after despair.
Through it all, Pearl and May represent the powerful bond of sisterhood. Their story is equal beautiful and heartbreaking.
TW: descriptions of war (death, blood), sexual assault
niwrad93's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0