A Review of Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

Shanghai Girls is a novel set in both China and America. It is the story of two sisters, Pearl and May, who are "beautiful girls" in the 1930's in Shanghai. They have traditional Chinese parents, and although they are educated, really don't do much besides hang out with "artists and intellectuals" and pose for one particular artist who paints pictures of them for calendars that sell different products, hence the term "beautiful girls". They argue, as any sisters do, but are always friends. Eventually, various circumstances force them to leave China for America, not the least of which is the invasion of Shanghai by the Japanese, who Pearl and the other Chinese feel much vitriolic hatred for and refer to as "monkey people". The girls survive a terrible ordeal on their journey, as they try to make it to San Francisco. They are detained at Angel Island as new immigrants and must try to outwit the government employees there in order to continue on to Los Angeles, where the two girls have husbands through arranged marriages.
This novel is one that incorporates some very difficult themes, including racism, sexism, traditionalism and the clashing of religions and cultures. But ultimately, this is the story of sisterhood, which is something that truly trancends all of these heavy issues. The sisters go through everything together, even childbirth, and although they each harbor jealousy for the other- who was loved more by their parents, or by Pearl's daughter, Joy?- but realize at each point of heartbreak or change throughout the story that the love of a sister is one that is more lasting than the love of parents, husbands or children. All of those aforementioned will leave or disappoint, May argues to Pearl, but your sister is with you forever.
This novel is written with a strong narrative drive. The story pushes through every issue, every terrible situation Pearl and May face. Even the end of the story is not a wrap-up type ending, but simply continues. That being the case, it is a very realistic tale, as it is meant to be. I was struck by both its highs and lows, the stark reality that these women had to face; the reality of being a woman in Chinese culture, of losing everyone, including yourself to circumstances beyond your control, to leaving everything you have ever known to move to a foreign country that treats you with contempt, even hatred. And yet these women love, but they especially love one another.
In all, I found Shanghai Girls to be a fast-paced story; although heavy in subject matter at times, it was an easy read and a fascinating tale. I would recommend it to all readers.

Up Next

A Review of Leaving Unknown by Kerri Reichs

Leaving Unknown was a book I chose for no other reason than the blurb on the back sounded interesting. I had pegged this novel for a beach read, a decent-sounding chick lit story. It is in fact, just that.
Let me start by saying that I have absolutely no problem reading beachy chick lit. I love it, especially if I happen to be on summer vacation, or actually on the beach.
This was the engaging story of Maeve Connolly, a slightly neurotic twenty-something who can't seem to get past her consistent "bad luck". Maeve is scattered, always trying to seek something beyond her simple existence living in North Carolina. She has taken 7 1/2 years to graduate college, is in serious debt, lives with a foul-mouthed cockatiel named Oliver, and drives an ancient car she names Elsie.
Seemingly on a whim, she decides to drive across country to make a new life in LA. She has a "friend" that she can stay with so she sells all of her belongings to set out. Along the way, she breaks down a few times, but Elsie truly breaks just outside Unknown, Arizona. Maeve is forced to stay until her car can be fixed, but becomes enchanted with the people and the atmosphere. Without ruining the story, we learn that there is a lot more to Maeve than the bubbleheaded scatterbrain that she appears to be, and she becomes an entirely engaging character, right along with the others the author presents.
Honestly speaking, I found myself very irritated with Maeve in the beginning of the story. She was a likeable character, but her actions were so irresponsible that I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy her as the heroine of the story. However, it turned out that the author was skillfully hiding Maeve's true story as well as who she truly is, mostly because Maeve herself doesn't know. Events in Maeve's life have changed it's original course and honestly, although the author had quite a bit of hinting in the story, I didn't see it. But it was a pleasant surprise to find that this tale had more depth than expected.
The supporting characters in this story are quite colorful, if fanciful, but they lend an air of credibility to Maeve's escapades that would be somewhat difficult to swallow otherwise. There is one particular scene in which Maeve acts particularly heroically that while not out of character for her, is a bit far-fetched.
But the fanciful bits of this tale are what lends it its charm, and made it a fun, easy read. I would suggest it for those who like this type of fun, easy story to read on the beach, or really anywhere you want to be entertained.

Coming Soon!