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 Tale of Tragedy and Endurance Nov 04, 2009
"Shanghai Girls" opens with the Pearl and May, sisters who are living the high life in 1930s Shanghai, then known as the "Paris of Asia". They worked as "beautiful girls", whose portraits are used for commercial advertisements. Everything changes when their father arranges their marriages to strangers, Chinese men from Los Angeles. It turns out that their owed a great deal of money because of his gambling and practically sold his daughters.
Being progressive-thinking women, they rebelled against the marriage but after finding out that their father's life was in danger, acquiesced. But they delayed their going to America until it was too late. The Japanese had invaded China and they only way out was to trek out of Shanghai on foot. Along the way, they experience brutal things but somehow managed to get on a boat to San Francisco.
Their troubles did not end there because upon entering Angel Island, they were detained and lived in deplorable conditions. It was obvious that America did not want Chinese immigrants and made it as difficult as possible. They endure further hardship and during this time, the sisters make a pact that will change their lives.
It is a story that is steeped in Chinese tradition and parts of history that are distasteful but true. Very beautifully written and authentic, it mirrors the life of Chinese immigrants and the discrimination they faced. I believe this is a book that Chinese descendants should read to gain a better appreciation of how they came to be here. It is full of culture and tradition and anybody interested in the Chinese way of life would appreciate this tale of tragedy and endurance.
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Who is the women on the back cover? Nov 02, 2009
I'm enjoying this book like I enjoy all See's books, but who is the woman on the back of the book? It says Patricia Williams and I can't find anything about this book that would entitle her to have her picture there. Big mistake by the publisher? Also can't find her listed as an author anywhere. Any body have any ideas?
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Great choice for my first Kindle book! Nov 01, 2009
"There is no catastrophe except death; one cannot be poorer than a beggar."
This book started out a bit slow, then once I was lulled into the girls pre-war lives it hit full force.
"I hear whistling and then feel a sickening lurch accompanied by a shattering explosion as the first bomb lands in front of the Cathay Hotel. My eyes go white, my eadrums go silent, and my lungs stop working, as if the explosion has punched out my body's knowledge of how to operate...It's said that the worst part of the bombing experience is the seconds of total paralysis and silence that immediately follow the intial concussion. It's as though - and I think this is an expression used in every culture - time stands still"
Parts of this book were truly riveting. It is the story of two sisters who have grown up with a privileged life in Shanghai. When they are young adults their world is forever changed by their father losing his fortune and the Japanese invading Shanghai. It's a story about sibling love and rivalry. bravery and sacrifice. About the effects parents have on their child's life long after they are adults. It gives great insight into the experience of Chinese immigrants, particularly women, into California.
Shanghai Girls was the first book I read on my Kindle. I loved the ability to "highlight" and make notes as I read. After waiting a few days, when I went back and reread the marked passages, I was even more touched by the beauty of See's writing. This is a great book for my friends who enjoy historical or ethnic fiction and women's issues novels.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Shanghai As I Had Never Seen It... Oct 29, 2009
This is the first novel I have read by Lisa See so I can't offer any comparison on this versus her other novels. What I can tell you is that this book takes you on a journey that is beautifully told of the time in China and in the US during the Japanese invasion of Shanghai.
Pearl & May are sisters who deal with many of the insecurities and rivalry that most sisters endure. Pearl is studious and responsible while May is beautiful and has the ability to get her way in any type of situa...more This is the first novel I have read by Lisa See so I can't offer any comparison on this versus her other novels. What I can tell you is that this book takes you on a journey that is beautifully told of the time in China and in the US during the Japanese invasion of Shanghai.
Pearl & May are sisters who deal with many of the insecurities and rivalry that most sisters endure. Pearl is studious and responsible while May is beautiful and has the ability to get her way in any type of situation. Both girls are living a life of privilege and are unaware of the poor and less fortunate. The girls enjoy the good life and are able to afford their lifestyle thanks to modeling for advertisements that help afford them what their family needs.
This all takes a turn when they discover that their father is in deep debt. In order to pay off his debts, he arranges for a marriage and marries off the girls to a set of brothers residing in the United States. They are expected to make the journey to the US and fulfill their father's debts.
Getting to the United States proves to be more challenging than either sister bargained for as the invasion of Shanghai happens at the same time they are to be heading on the boat.
To say that this journey to the United States is epic, would be a small understatement. The girls endure incredible tragedy, untold brutality, and a journey that they never dreamed they would ever endure.
The story, above all else, is about sisters. Sisters that love each other in spite of it all...and sisters that would do anything for one another.
The ending could have been brought together better, but that was the only thing missing for me. I felt as though I had been on the journey with these sisters and the ending left me wondering if a sequel could follow
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Beautiful and thought-provoking Oct 26, 2009
Very much in the tradition of Amy Tan's books about the ways that mothers and daughters relate, this novel tells the story of Pearl and May, two lovely upper middle class girls in 1930s Shanghai. This is all about how we relate to each other: not just how we relate to our siblings, but how we relate to our parents, our children, and our nations - both by birth and by adoption. This book deals with mature subjects (rape, war), but I think most people who like Amy Tan's books would like this one, too.
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