Shanghai Girls

A Novel

By: Lisa See

Narrated by: Janet Song

Length: 13 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Number-one New York Times best-seller.

“A gifted writer...explores the bonds of sisterhood while powerfully evoking the often nightmarish American immigrant experience.” (USA Today)

In 1937, Shanghai is the Paris of Asia, a city of great wealth and glamour, the home of millionaires and beggars, gangsters and gamblers, patriots and revolutionaries, artists and warlords. Thanks to the financial security and material comforts provided by their father’s prosperous rickshaw business, 21-year-old Pearl Chin and her younger sister, May, are having the time of their lives. Though both sisters wave off authority and tradition, they couldn’t be more different: Pearl is a dragon sign, strong and stubborn, while May is a true sheep, adorable and placid. Both are beautiful, modern, and carefree...until the day their father tells them 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.

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.

At its heart, Shanghai Girls is a story of sisters: Pearl and May are inseparable best friends who share hopes, dreams, and a deep connection, but like sisters everywhere, they also harbor petty jealousies and rivalries. They love each other, but each knows exactly where to drive the knife to hurt the other the most.

Along the way, they face terrible sacrifices, make impossible choices, and confront a devastating, life-changing secret, but through it all the two heroines of this astounding new novel hold fast to who they are: Shanghai girls.

Praise for Shanghai Girls:

“A buoyant and lustrous paean to the bonds of sisterhood.” (Booklist)

“A rich work...as compulsively readable as it is an enlightening journey.” (Denver Post)

©2009 Random House (P)2009 Random House

Critic reviews

"A buoyant and lustrous paean to the bonds of sisterhood." (Booklist)

“See is a gifted writer, and in Shanghai Girls she again explores the bonds of sisterhood while powerfully evoking the often nightmarish American immigrant experience.” (USA Today)

“A rich work... as compulsively readable as it is an enlightening journey.” (Denver Post)

Fantastic

This book was fantastic and well narrated. The story keeps you going and the narrator keeps your attention. $ well spent

Wonderful story..,

Well written book.., I loved the story.., the relationship between the 2 sisters, the cultural shocks between USA and China.., the story really moves you.., although at the end of the book seems the writer just let the reader an unfinished feeling

I really enjoyed this book

It gave me a very descriptive glimpse into what it was to live in china and the challenges of immigrants. Plus the human love story was wonderful.

I hope Lisa See writes a sequel to Shanghai Girls.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I loved this book because i learned so much about prewar Shanghai, Chinese culture,
and immigration to the United States. I loved the characters and didn't want the book to end.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Pearl was my favorite character because I came to identify with her struggles and wanted her to achieve happiness.

What about Janet Song’s performance did you like?

Everything! She was quite adept at portraying different characters. I was totally in the story.

If you could take any character from Shanghai Girls out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I would take Mai because I think she would make a fun dinner companion.

Great read!

Loved the setting of Shanghai and Chinese culture beginnings in LA. Storyline amazing and I highly recommend!

Wonderful Story / Excellent Narration

Entranced from beginning to end. Evolving storyline. Couldn't wait to keep listening. Remarkable narrator. Well done.

Sister's love

Having a sister myself, i adored Lisa's books about sisterhood... I've read her book Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, and i got desperately inlove with the great approach on women's universe and the bonds that subtly connects us all... This book is a wonderful story of surviving and trusting the sister that will always be there... I'll continue the series, with curiosity and open heart ❤️

Beautiful story, brilliantly told!

Loved this book and couldn't put it down. The characters were beautifully captured, I felt like I knew them and felt their pain and happiness. Looking forward to the next book! #Audible1

Another great novel

I lover the writing style. This story has to many up’s and downs had my emotions all over the place. Voice actress I recognize from a few other books and is great as usual.

Fantastic story

I couldn’t stop listening to the story. I can’t wait to continue listening with the sequel.