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A review by mg_in_md_
China Dolls by Lisa See
4.0
To be rated/reviewed closer to this month's book club meeting
The story begins in 1938 San Francisco and follows the lives of three young dancers -- Grace, Helen, and Ruby -- who forge a friendship that spans 50 years. The complex relationship dynamics fluctuate as the years unfold and are sometimes frustrating, but they add an element of realism to the characters and the story. This historical fiction tale weaves in facts about the entertainment industry, World War II, and California equally well, and results in a three dimensional story that kept me turning the pages. I enjoyed the storytelling technique of presenting alternating chapters from each woman's point of view, and learning about each woman's pasts and secrets. The focus on the impact of WWII in the Pacific was unique, specifically the Japanese internment camps in the U.S. that have not been widely written about in comparison to other aspects of the war. Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor threatens to destroy the women's lives, and a related shocking act of betrayal changes everything. Fans of Lisa See's historical fiction will discover many of the same elements that make them so successful -- complex personal relationships, unique historical angles, and an ability to shift the reader's opinion of the characters as their motivations and stories are revealed.
The story begins in 1938 San Francisco and follows the lives of three young dancers -- Grace, Helen, and Ruby -- who forge a friendship that spans 50 years. The complex relationship dynamics fluctuate as the years unfold and are sometimes frustrating, but they add an element of realism to the characters and the story. This historical fiction tale weaves in facts about the entertainment industry, World War II, and California equally well, and results in a three dimensional story that kept me turning the pages. I enjoyed the storytelling technique of presenting alternating chapters from each woman's point of view, and learning about each woman's pasts and secrets. The focus on the impact of WWII in the Pacific was unique, specifically the Japanese internment camps in the U.S. that have not been widely written about in comparison to other aspects of the war. Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor threatens to destroy the women's lives, and a related shocking act of betrayal changes everything. Fans of Lisa See's historical fiction will discover many of the same elements that make them so successful -- complex personal relationships, unique historical angles, and an ability to shift the reader's opinion of the characters as their motivations and stories are revealed.