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)

enjoyed every minute

Loved it, do wish the ending could have been happier & brought more closure. It is, however, how things were at the time.

worth the read

I'm not sure I liked the ending but it was a very good book.

Heartwrenching and informative.

This book got to me. I couldn’t stop listening. It’s an interesting look into a version of history not often taught. A heartbreaking tale of sisters, family and life.

Good listen

This is an engaging book with an interesting dose of history. Not a challenging piece of literature, neither does it insult your intelligence. I enjoyed it

depressing

I loved the story and I can't wait to read the next book, even though it made me sad to read this one. The graphic detail just tore me up inside and I'm not easily moved. I knew immigrants had it bad but I didn't realize how terrible it all was for them. I didn't realize how devastating and fearful they had to live. Is there never any joy in life? Yeah, the story is depressing and powerful but informative. So much death...

Honest but Sad

Lisa See is an excellent writer. She paints every scene. Honest description of life at that time but so sad. Strong stomach needed. There were so few comfortable moments for her characters. Narrator was perfect. Ending was most unsatisfactory.

Great insight into human nature

What made the experience of listening to Shanghai Girls the most enjoyable?

I loved Janet Song's voice and cadence as she told the story. I also really liked the way the author let the story unfold and that no character was completely good or bad.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Pearl was my favorite.

What about Janet Song’s performance did you like?

Excellent pace and tone.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no, it would be too long!!

Wonderful story!

I loved this book. It was emotionally moving to follow the sister's relationship from the best of times to the worst of times. Having a sister, I could totally relate to the common love/hate relationship most sisters have. I totally recommend it!

Incredibly captivating story

Lately it seems that more often than not, I purchase books and can't finish them. Either poor narration or the story just isn't compelling. That certainly was not the case with this treasure. Right from the start, the story is fascinating and I was shocked to learn that a non-Chinese woman wrote the story as it sounds so very authentic. The narration is spot on, and she does a great job with a variety of different characters. I'll purchase her other books based on my experience with this one

Beautiful!

If you could sum up Shanghai Girls in three words, what would they be?

Fascinating, intriguing, page-turner!

Any additional comments?

I'm so glad she wrote a sequel because I wanted their stories to continue.