China Dolls

A Novel

By: Lisa See

Narrated by: Jodi Long

Length: 15 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

“A fascinating portrait of life as a Chinese American woman in the 1930s and ’40s.”—The New York Times Book Review

“Superb . . . This emotional, informative and brilliant page-turner resonates with resilience and humanity.”—The Washington Post (One of the Best Books of the Year)

San Francisco, 1938: A world’s fair is preparing to open on Treasure Island, a war is brewing overseas, and the city is alive with possibilities. Talented Grace, traditional Helen, and defiant Ruby, three young women from very different backgrounds, meet by chance at the exclusive and glamorous Forbidden City nightclub.

The girls become fast friends, relying on one another through unexpected challenges and shifting fortunes. When their dark secrets are exposed and the invisible thread of fate binds them even tighter, they find the strength and resilience to reach for their dreams. But after the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, paranoia and suspicion threaten to destroy their lives, and a shocking act of betrayal changes everything.

©2014 Lisa See (P)2014 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“This is one of those stories I’ve always wanted to tell, but Lisa See beat me to it, and she did it better than I ever could. Bravo! Here’s a roaring standing ovation for this heartwarming journey into the glittering golden age of Chinese nightclubs.”—Jamie Ford, author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

“A sweeping, turbulent tale of passion, friendship, good fortune, bad fortune, perfidy and the hope of reconciliation.”—Los Angeles Times

“Lisa See masterfully creates unforgettable characters that linger in your memory long after you close the pages.”—Bookreporter

Ethel Mertz is alive and well...

What did you like best about China Dolls? What did you like least?

The story was okay and I have no doubt it could have been a better listen had they chosen a different narrator. I felt like I was listening to Ethel Mertz every time Ruby spoke.

What could Lisa See have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I personally would have liked more historical account of the camps woven in with their relationships.

How could the performance have been better?

A narrator with some depth. The narrator made them all sound insincere and as if they were acting in a play.

Much better than Janet Song

What did you love best about China Dolls?

I'm so pleased the reader is different. I found it really difficult to listen to Janet Song on Lisa's other recordings. It always sounded as if she was reading with a jawbreaker and a lot of saliva in her mouth. As to comments about Lisa's accent, I don't hear it so I have no complaints. The only times I hear 'an accent' is when she's reading 'Ruby' as her interpretation of that character's 'streetwise' nature means she's got this 1920's, Chicago type attitude. Anyhoo, it was fine with me. The only thing I'd comment against her is that I found her 'voices' for a character changed when narrating as another character. I've read and listened to most of Lisa's books.

I love reading Lisa's historical fiction. It's not over dramatised and has enough interesting facts and details to peak both the non-fiction reader in me. Still, her best book for me will always be Snow Flower and the Secret Fan in that respect.

Much Enjoy Book

What made the experience of listening to China Dolls the most enjoyable?

Remind me of my family and experience thru stories of family members.

What was one of the most memorable moments of China Dolls?

The ending when everyone reunited for one last time.

Which scene was your favorite?

Each and every scene as the three come into their own.

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

Grace and Ruby

Another great story by Lisa See

Lisa See never fails to capture my attention. I was hooked by the end of the first chapter. Great listen, enjoyable reader!

Good story but needs a new narrator

The story was good but the narrator detracted from the feel of the story. A better narrator would have justified a higher overall rating.

Touching Story

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

Would recommend this book to any girl. This is a great story of lifelong friends

Who was your favorite character and why?

I can not say. Each of the girls has their own virtue. Perhaps Grace her pure heart and willingness to make her own choices right from the start a strong determined woman to the end.

Have you listened to any of Jodi Long’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was my first.

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

Absolutely! I fell asleep listening to it several times and just about drove my girls crazy playing it in the car.

Any additional comments?

Fiction is not my normal choice but I enjoyed this so much that I have added several fiction titles to my list.

Did not like these women

I did not care for any of these women. In their own way, they were shallow and I kept hoping for more from just one of them. I thought the narrator was awful. When she was speaking as a man she was always screeching and sounded like a wretch. Since it was written in first person...and flipped from character to character (even though she identified the person) if you got distracted it was hard to tell who was speaking. Her other books are so much better. This one was a big disappointment for me.

Narrator Spoiled It For Me

What other book might you compare China Dolls to and why?

This is not unlike some of Lisa See's other books - long Chinese girls making their way in the world, this time beginning in 1938 and moving through their lives together. Well written and enjoyable, as always.

How could the performance have been better?

I normally enjoy Jodi Long as a narrator, but this was not the book for her. I don't know her background, but she sounds like she's from the New York City area (which I am as well). Her accent, although not pronounced, is nonetheless still there. This, combined with the fact that she sounds older than her late teens or early twenties, made it really hard for me to imagine that her words were the thoughts and words of three young Chinese-American girls from Ohio and California. I know it sounds picky, but it was very distracting to me.

Did not like the narrator at all!!

Would you try another book from Lisa See and/or Jodi Long?

Yes, from Lisa See. I follow her books avidly.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

The narration was VERY slow. I would have preferred just reading the novel. It would have been better. I usually enjoy audiobooks because they free me up to do other things...but not this time.

Did China Dolls inspire you to do anything?

Just to preview a narrator whenever possible.

Any additional comments?

I liked China Doll least of all the Lisa See books.

Fantastic and very entertaining!

What a charming story! It was delightful with all of its interesting layers that never lost interest! Highly recommend this great listen!