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.