Shanghai Girls: A Novel

I was engaged with the story and characters almost from the very first paragraph. The writing style is simple and easy to follow. The personalities of the two girls -- so similar in looks, but so different in their approaches -- create interest. Their position in life as upper middle class members of Shanghai society and as "beautiful girls" with active social lives and classy wardrobes keep the reader hooked. As the story develops and they enter into multiple troubles and tragedies, it's nearly impossible to stop turning pages to find out what happens next. The writer frequently does not give you what you expect, so there are twists that are difficult to predict. Kudos to her for that: I've read too many novels lately where I know exactly what's going to happen next. I appreciate the elements of history in this novel that had me checking the internet for facts and details: What did Angel Island look like? Who was Christine Sterling? I know there's a Chinatown in LA, but never heard of China City. What was a "beautiful girl?" I was chuckling at the descriptions of the 1940s movies depicting Chinese by taping up the eyelids of Caucasian actors and actresses. Many of the places and events described in the book are captivating, especially if you are familiar with the locations or have a general interest in this history before you read. Spoiler warning: the book ends on a cliff-hanger and you will have to get the sequel ASAP. I'm about to do that. I'm cutting it by one star because at times it can be a bit soap-opera like and "telling" -- telling one event after another. This just crops up in sections of the book, towards the end, however.

Even though we didn't discuss the assigned book at our book club meeting last night, we did, of course, talk about books. One friend and I shared our mutual love and affection for the book I just finished last week -- Shanghai Girls by Lisa See. Sisters Pearl and May are "beautiful girls" in 1930's Shanghai, meaning they pose regularly for the popular advertisements depicting beautiful girls using a variety of products. They are from the upper classes and have enjoyed a fun and spoiled life in the "Paris of Asia". But their lives are drastically changed by their father's financial demise and the invasion of China by the Japanese. Eventually, Pearl and May will immigrate to the United States, carefully guarding their secrets. Shanghai is a fascinating setting. I was enthralled. Pearl and May are devoted and loving sisters, in spite of being very different personalities. Together and separately, they do what they must to survive in frightening and dangerous times. While the threats are different once they arrive in the US, they still live in constant fear. So much of their circumstances is beyond their control, but the sisters' contrasting reactions and beliefs are very interesting. The plot moves along frantically through the first half of the book. I could hardly put it down. Later, the plot does slow and time begins to move in large segments. I felt the book lost some of it's early momentum at this point, but it is still compelling. The ending would have upset me if I didn't already know that there is a sequel, Dreams of Joy. I've already started reading it. Bringing up powerful topics of war, survival, immigration, motherhood, family devotion, and sacrifice, Shanghai Girls is a truly rich novel.

After reading Snow flower and the secret fan (which I also enjoyed) I started reading this book and could not rest until I had finished it. Absolutely fascinating but also really tough at times. This is a story that will stay with me.

Un livre à dévorer que cette chronique tragique de la vie de deux sœurs de la petite bourgeoisie de Shanghai d'avant-guerre. L'invasion japonaise les lance sur la route et jusqu'en Amérique où elles subiront la tyrannie d'un patriarche chinois et les préjugés racistes des blancs. Jusqu'á un dénouement inattendu et tragique.

Liked the characters and story line. A good mix of interesting chapters. Recommend to anyone who has an interest in China and the culture. I had never thought much about the prejudices the Chinese were subjected to for generations in the US.

Woah, the last part of this book has left me breathless - the pace was upped fantastically and WOW I need to read the second book asap. I loved this book after the first couple of chapters and knew immediately that I'd need to read more of Lisa See's books. The character building was of top quality throughout and I really feel like I know Pearl. At times May really annoyed me, she wasn't serious enough for me, but I like that the sisters are opposites. This story wasn't about a happy ending; it was about telling the truth and about creating a realistic life for realistic characters - things would be great and then something would happen to make it not-so-great, which helped make the story seem so very, very real. I suspect there were people whose lives planned out how Pearl and May's have, and at times it honestly felt like I was reading a true story. There were so many surprises throughout and all of the characters surprised me at one time or another. This book has so many layers to it and, as I've said, it was written so well that it felt like real life... why hasn't this book been made into a TV show?! So, so much happened in this book and I'm hungry to read the sequel - I hate that I can't afford to buy it right this second and that I instead have to wait for it to be available at the library :( I want to know where the character's lives are going - although there is one particular character that won't be in the sequel and I am so sad, because I was in love with said character. I don't know what else to say other than I loved this book SO much and it's definitely going on my favourites list!

Amo Lisa See e ho letto molti dei suoi libri. Shangai Gilrs è coinvolgente e appassionante, un libro per chi ama i romanzi ambientati.