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ktaroo939's review against another edition
3.0
This book was fairly good, I wish the ending had been different, but overall I liked it
badd_panda's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
czarfancypants's review
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
trudy1963's review against another edition
2.0
I could only give it two stars because it was very difficult to find a character I could really like. I didn't like the sister, May, although the author did a great job of explaining life from her point of view towards the end of the story. I couldn't really like the daughter, Joy, although, again, the author did a good job of showing all aspects of her situation. The other sister, Pearl, was easier to like although she should have spoke her mind earlier in the book and I didn't like how the author made it so she started doubting her feelings and subsequentially felt to blame for many things. I liked May's husband but of course he didn't end well. All in all, not that uplifting of a story. But, I did find it educational and thought provoking in regards to the immigrant Chinese life in California before, during and after WWII.
utahmomreads's review against another edition
5.0
Review originally posted on my blog : http://utahmomslife.blogspot.com/2011/07/shanghai-girls-book-review.html
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.
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.
kenortz'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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
lindsayaunderwood's review against another edition
3.0
I loved a lot about this book, but the part I enjoyed the most was the historical fiction aspect. I learned so much about Chinese culture. Also giving this book to my sister, because it has a great underlying theme about the bond of sisterhood.
michellechien930's review against another edition
3.0
I read A Little Life a while back and many people dubbed it "torture porn" (although I actually really liked it), and I'd like to say that Shanghai Girls is quite similar to what I actually think torture porn is like. It's quite a depressing saga of two sisters who are in the turbulent era of war, forced to marry strange men and move to America despite a lot of trouble (and I mean A LOT: unwanted pregnancy, fake identity, misled love, Hollywood, racial slurs, paper families, mom but but not your mom, dad but not your dad, pestilence, suicide, Chinatown, gang rape). Basically, all these terrible things keep happening relentlessly, and it's all very sad and depressing. In the end, no one has a happy ending. I love reading books that are infused with Asian culture however, and this one clearly depicted the lives of immigrants and war victims. Just don't go in expecting a lighthearted plot line.
khaliah's review against another edition
1.0
If you want to read a book about Chinese women who come to America and try Inheritance by Lan Samantha Chang. It's better written and more compelling. I tried to finish this book but I got so close to the end and then I couldn't take anymore. So many sections of this book should have made me, as a reader far more invested in the plight of these women, and it just fell flat.