This is the second Lisa See novel that I've read, and both times when I've finished her books I've felt vaguely duped. There's so much historical detail in here, much of it grim, that I feel like I must be reading something sweeping and important. But the character-driven parts of the plot (often about tensions and jealousies in close female relationships) remind me more of...Danielle Steel, maybe? Dare I say it? Something kind of primal and potboiler-y and not too nuanced. So and so is the pret...

Lisa’s See’s new novel, Shanghai Girls, provides a rich experience for its readers – taking them from the splendor, highlife, glamour and poverty of 1937 Shanghai to the struggles of Chinese immigrants to survive a virtual internment on Angel Island, off the coast of San Francisco, to the almost impossible challenges of trying to build a life in Los Angeles Chinatown in the context of an America that does not want them and treats them cruelly.But despite its rich background, Shanghai Girls is ul...

I'm re-rating this book up to 4 stars, but with the contingency that it must be read with Dreams of Joy. When read in conjunction with the second book, this book is excellent - really emotionally powerful. Without the second book, you'll be horribly disappointed with the the last 20 pages - and wishing for 350 more. my original review is still below.********Re-reading 5/2011 in prep for the second book Dreams of Joy. In retrospect, my review is fairly prophetic. I'm so glad there's more to the s...

This cover is so pretty and happy and wonderful, and then the contents are the darkest, most painful thing you have ever experienced in your life.Literally every bad thing that exists under the sun happens in this book. Death. Sexual assault. Devastating illness. War. Genocide. Betrayal. Deceit. Abandonment. Death again. Suicide. Racism. Hate crimes. Poverty. More violence. Family trauma AND family drama.Probably more I'm forgetting because presumably my brain filed this under "to repress."Hones...

I fell in love with Lisa See's writing a few years ago when I read Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. As such, I was really looking forward to reading Shanghai Girls when it came out. Initially though, people began saying that it did not compare. So it was with trepidation that I began reading this book, afraid that I would be disappointed. THAT DID NOT HAPPEN. All I can say is that Lisa See has another hit on her hands with this wonderful story of two sisters who emigrate from Shanghai to America

Historical fiction beginning in 1937 in Shanghai, China. Two sisters are uprooted from their carefree lives when their father loses the family’s wealth to gambling debts. He arranges their marriages, much to their dismay, which starts a harrowing journey that ends in Chinatown near Hollywood, California. It follows the development of family bonds and the trajectory of their lives as they work hard, attempt to save money for the future, and experience multiple adversities. The focus is on family

I really enjoyed this peek into Chinese culture and history. For Ed's peace of mind, there are a few instances of tragedy porn a la Kite Runner, but I found this book rather more enjoyable. It covers Pearl and May's lives growing up in Shanghai, where they don't have to worry about much until their father basically sells them as wives for another man's sons in order to pay off his gambling debts. Amid this, the second Sino-Japanese War is going on, and it takes everything they have in order to g...

“A girl with three holes”This is how Chinese women are viewed. This is what Chinese women are often reduced to in the 30-40-50’s. As American’s view the Chinese as filth. Men in China and America threaten and treat them as such. 2 sisters tied together at birth in China never let go as they are sold off in an arrange marriage to Chinese brother’s in America. This is their adventure as they over come one obstacle after another to circle through the US and back to China. Not one of Lisa See’s bett...

Wow. Lisa See absolutely never, ever disappoints. She is an amazing storyteller, and ‘Shanghai Girls’ is an amazing story. I think I forgot to breathe during the last twenty pages.What a great movie this novel would make. I’d line up to see it.Recommendation: For a stunning, compelling and captivating read, put ‘Shanghai Girls’ at the top of your to-read list.2nd best-read of 2009

There's a phrase in Chinese, chi ku (eat bitterness), which Lisa See's Shanghai Girls exemplifies perfectly. From one end of the book to the other, there's nothing but hardships and heartaches.The first hardship I found is not actually in the story in the novel, but comes from the novel itself. See writes in the first person through the voice of Pearl, a girl growing up in Shanghai during the volatile Sino-Japanese war. Unfortunately, Pearl seems too self-aware of other people's thoughts, motive...

I can't believe I didn't write a review on this Lisa See book. This is one of my favorite historical books she wrote. There is a fascinating story in here that many people know very little about! The plot revolves around two sisters -their privilege life breaks down - 1930's Shanghai - Their father sell them to loveless marriages --The 'history' of horrific prejudice & immigration - coming to America was no joke.After I had read this ( not light and fluffy), a front page article in our local new...

3.5 STARSOMG! These girls dad sucks! This reminds me of one of her other books with the father!*****TRIGGER WARNING: GANG RAPE & BEATING OF AN OLD WOMAN AND HER TEENAGE DAUGHTER**********SPOILERS*****I liked the story, it did kind of remind me of Snow Flower And The Secret Fan in ways, but I liked that book a lot better. I can't put my finger on what I didn't love about this book, I guess it just seemed to drag a little bit for me. I have to admit that I almost threw the book when I got to the r...

This book was very disappointing. I went into it eager to learn about this point in history and this should have been a good book considering the premise of the story. I think it started out well and the family and events in China held my interest and seemed well-defined. Still, the tragedies never felt that compelling, and even what should have outraged me when they arrived in the US, never had the impact they would have if better written. I should have gotten angry, I should have cried, I shou...

I really disliked this book and I'm extra disappoined about it because I loved Snow Flower and the Secret Fan so much!It starts out OK with the depiction of Shanghai but never did anything to make me feel a connection to the characters. Pearl is just pure, unadulterated grouch, and May is a completly selfish jerk (or is she? the last few pages make me wonder if she's fine but grouchy Pearl made me hate her!)Most of the book is just a boring list of things that happened. We worked at China City.

I'm going to have to admit that I stayed up 'til all hours of the night to read this book. But, that being said, I also have to say that in my opinion it's not a very good book at all. The plot is rollicking (the main characters, formerly wealthy girls in Shanghai, must escape both gangsters and the Japanese; then they go to California to join the men they've wed, first coping with a grueling and prolonged interrogation process on Angel Island; get involved in the movie business and the tourist

I'm sorry to say that I thought this book was horrible. As a huge fan of Snowflower and the Secret Fan and of the beautiful characters, beautifully described scenery, tragedies, hardships, and the deep bonds between the characters within it, I went into this book hoping for something of the same. I felt the character development in this book was forced, I thought the story was all over the place, and there was never and deep understanding of the people within it. Maybe it's because I never ident...