Shanghai Girls (Shanghai Girls, #1) in Ask Lisa See!

Sep 16, 2010 Chrystal rated it really liked it

Our book club, Circle of Sistahs had the privilege of reading Shanghai Girls, by Lisa See

My goodness gracious, if you haven't read this book, please do. This is such an interesting and head shaking read. Seriously, as you read about May and Pearl, two sisters living in Shanghai in the mid-1930s, who are beautiful, sophisticated, and well-educated - you will get caught up, you will get involved, and most of all, you will be moved.

The girls are living a nontraditional and carefree life of privileg Our book club, Circle of Sistahs had the privilege of reading Shanghai Girls, by Lisa See

My goodness gracious, if you haven't read this book, please do. This is such an interesting and head shaking read. Seriously, as you read about May and Pearl, two sisters living in Shanghai in the mid-1930s, who are beautiful, sophisticated, and well-educated - you will get caught up, you will get involved, and most of all, you will be moved.

The girls are living a nontraditional and carefree life of privilege, sadly they are unaware their family is on the verge of bankruptcy, until the day their father tells them that he has gambled away their wealth and that in order to repay his debts he must sell the girls as wives to suitors who have traveled from California to find Chinese brides. But when the sisters leave China and arrive at Angel's Island (the Ellis Island of the West)--where they are detained, interrogated, and humiliated for months--they feel the harsh reality of leaving home. And when May discovers she's pregnant the situation becomes even more desperate. The sisters make a pact that no one can ever know.

As Japanese bombs fall on their beloved city, Pearl and May set out on the journey of a lifetime, one that will take them through the Chinese countryside, in and out of the clutch of brutal soldiers, and across the Pacific to the shores of America. In Los Angeles they begin a fresh chapter, trying to find love with the strangers they have married, brushing against the seduction of Hollywood, and striving to embrace American life even as they fight against discrimination, brave Communist witch hunts, and find themselves hemmed in by Chinatown's old ways and rules.

I really would like to see this book adapted into a movie - as long as it stays true to the storyline as written by Lisa See. Perhaps they can take a page from another book focusing on Women of Asian descent, "The Joy Luck Club" (1989) is a best-selling novel written by Amy Tan. It focuses on four Chinese American immigrant families in San Francisco, California who start a club known as "the Joy Luck Club," playing the Chinese game of mahjong for money while feasting on a variety of foods. In 1993, the novel was adapted into a feature film directed by Wayne Wang and starring Ming-Na, Lauren Tom, The screenplay was written by the author Amy Tan along with Ronald Bass. They had the good sense to have the author write the screenplay and that may have been the reason the movie manage to mirror the book so well. And I see no reason why they cannot do the same with Shanghai Girls.

Did I say, this is a must read for any book club and/or reader? If I didn't say it, consider it said. Read, Shanghai Girls by Lisa See. ...more

Like · see review

Mar 08, 2011 Abigail rated it it was amazing

I just loved the way this book transported me into the worlds of both China and Chinese people in America during the middle of the C20th. The images were vivid and the characters were interesting. I learnt an awful lot from reading this book, including several new Chinese words and concepts. My only fault about this book is how suddenly it ended- I wanted to know more!

Like · see review

Jul 15, 2010 Donna rated it it was amazing

An exciting and touching story of survival of two sisters emigrating to the US from China during the 1930's. Their relationship is interesting and rich. The background of Los Angeles Chinatown is very colorful and adds a richness of its own. ...more

Like · see review

Sep 18, 2011 Michelle Wegner rated it it was amazing

Shelves: world-war-2

I LOVED this book. It is a wonderfully well written novel about a Chinese woman and her family coming to the United States somewhat illegally from China just prior to World War2. The book spreads over several decades, but is seamless and intriguing. I can't wait to read Dreams of Joy! ...more

Like · see review

Jan 07, 2011 Carolyn rated it it was amazing

Great story about the Japanese invasion of Shanghai and its effects upon two young Chinese women living in Shanghai at tthe time. This is the 3rd Lisa See book I have read and they are all good reads.

Like · see review

Sep 29, 2010 Beth Lunsford rated it it was amazing

Sequel coming in 2011.

Like · see review

Jul 05, 2011 Cynthia rated it really liked it

Two things: I like the writing of Lisa See and I like historical fiction. So, both of these elements made this story very good. Of course, her first book, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, is still my favorite.

Like · see review