Reviews

China Dolls by Lisa See

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niharikaaaaaa9's review against another edition

3.0

The writing was really good -- I think Lisa See did a great job describing Ruby, Grace, and Helen's lives, and what it meant to be Asian American around the time of World War II. Ruby's spunk, Grace's ambition, and Helen's traditionalism all came through in See's evocative storytelling; their adventures, both as a group and individually, kept me entertained. That being said, the plot itself was contrived, and I found myself correctly guessing all the "twists".

I would read this book to learn more about what it was like during this time for three Asian American women living in San Francisco trying to make their livings as dancers, less so for the actual plot.

whitneybkramer's review against another edition

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3.0

This was an okay read, but it wasn't Lisa See's best by any stretch.

millivawilli's review against another edition

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2.0

I was surprised at how disappointed I was by this one. I liked Snow Flower & the Secret Fan but I found the character voices in here to be woefully flat, simplistic and unlikeable. I think it was actually very similar to Snow Flower but I didn't mind it as much in that book because of the different cultural and historic setting and I kind of took it as a lost-in-translation way of story-telling. Which makes me think maybe I'm a huge bigot?? I accepted the seemingly petty arguments then because I was ignorant about the time & place but in this one, I found the characters annoying and childish for 20th century Americans. Otherwise, I enjoyed the imagery of the razzle-dazzle of showbiz and some of the relevant historic details of life for Asian Americans during WWII.

christinavarela's review against another edition

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2.0

Lisa See remains one of my favorite authors ( I will read anything she writes & have heard her speak many times), so it pains me to say that this might be my least favorite of her books. I was initially pulled in by the story of these three young girls trying to make it on their own. As always I appreciate the research that is evident in Lisa's stories. I did enjoy the backdrop of the depression, WWII & issues of race and gender in our country. However, as the characters developed I liked them less and less. In the end I find it hard to believe that their relationship would survive the incredible betrayals and find it unrealistic that they would have any fondness for each other.

bibliobethica's review against another edition

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3.0

The first half of the book was intriguing. I cared about the main characters, but I found myself less interested in the second half. It's still a book I'll recommend, but not as good as Snowflower.