Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
Pearl and her sister May are Beautiful Girls in Shanghai, which means their faces are used to sell everything from soap to cigarettes. It is a lovely, carefree life, one with lots of parties and glamorous clothes. Unfortunately, we are introduced to Pearl and May just as their world is about to crumble. Their father has lost all of the family’s money gambling. Actually, he has lost more than all the family’s money gambling, and to pay his debts he must sell his rickshaw business and his daughters to Old Man Louie. Pearl and May are to marry Old Man Louie’s youngest two sons and return with them to Los Angeles. Things don’t go exactly as planned, with the girls’ own stubbornness and the invasion of Shanghai by the Japanese intruding on plans, but eventually Pearl and May make their way to their new husbands and new lives in America.
“Shanghai Girls” had a VERY different feel than “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.” Like “Snow Flower” it is very well written and focuses on the relationship between two girls/women. I think the biggest difference was the setting. Whereas “Snow Flower” took place in relatively rural China in the 19th century, “Shanghai Girls” was set in cosmopolitan Shanghai, as well as Los Angeles, in the first half of the 20th century. Of the two books, I would have to say that I somewhat preferred “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan,” but primarily based on personal preferences, not objective ordering.
“Snow Flower” was about a time and culture far more alien from my own. I learned about nu shu and just how horrible foot binding really was. “Shanghai Girls,” on the other hand took place in a culture I recognized. Even when the girls were still in Shanghai they had very international and Western sensibilities. Although they did not interact with a large number of Westerners in while in Los Angeles, the theme of immigrant life in America, including the discrimination against those of Asian-descent during and prior to World War II is something with which I am much more familiar from other books.
Even thought I preferred “Snow Flower” for the reasons listed above, I really enjoyed “Shanghai Girls.” It was a wonderful story about trying to do the best with what you have and about the difference that perspective makes.
“Shanghai Girls” is being released next week, but I ended up with an extra ARC somehow, which I will be giving away to one lucky reader. Leave me a comment that is relevant to this post and says something more than “please enter me” or “I want to win this” to enter. Tweet or blog about this contest then come back and leave me the link for an extra entry. Each entry (original comment, blog URL, tweet URL) must be left in a separate comment to count. I will be drawing the winner first thing in the morning on Friday, May 29th. I will send worldwide.
Buy this book from:
Powells.
A local independent bookstore via Indiebound.
Amazon.
I’m always nervous to read a second book by an author I loved on my first read. This book fits into that anxiety. I really enjoyed Snow Flower and want to read this, but am hesitant to affect my impression of See’s work! It sounds like Shanghai Girls may not be quite the book that Snow Flower was, but I’m going to keep it on my list after reading your review.
I have this one, I’d better move it up if it’s being released next week! I had June for some reason. I’m hoping that even in a 20th century setting, it still holds up for me. I guess we’ll see!
Meghan’s last blog post..BTT: A Second First Time?
May 26th in the US, but July 6th in the UK – maybe you were splitting the difference?
No, I have an American ARC and even have June on my little post-it note. And it says May 26th on the side. I’m laughing at myself!
Meghan’s last blog post..BTT: A Second First Time?
I read Peony in Love and had a love/hate relationship with it. I was so mad early on in the book that I didn’t want to continue reading it. I was on an extended trip and only had two books with me, so I had to go back to it and I loved it.
I’m next in my book club for choosing three books which the club will vote and see which is their favorite. I wanted to do China-centric books because I love China (specifically Shanghai). I was thinking The Good Earth (for a classic), Snow Flower, and Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress… But, I may replace Snow Flower with this option…
I think all four of those are great options. Between Snow Flower and Shanghai Girls you just need to decide whether or not you want something more recent.
I still have Snow Flower on Mt. TBR… I keep meaning to get to it, but there’s just so many books! I signed up to get Shanghai Girls on the ER program and in the Shelf Awareness insert, but I never got one. I’ve also got See’s Peony in Love and a few other Asian fictions. The ER algorhythm is beyond understanding, I think. Not even the genius on Numbers could figure it out!
I am definitely looking forward to reading Shanghai Girls, and I think your review is the first one I’ve read for it. Good review 😀
The Kool-Aid Mom’s last blog post..BTT ~ Ah! To Be a Virgin Again!
I tweetereded it the review and giveaway 😀
http://twitter.com/thekoolaidmom/statuses/1871943838
The Kool-Aid Mom’s last blog post..BTT ~ Ah! To Be a Virgin Again!
I would love to read this!! She is going to be at Powells this next month and I can’t wait to see her.
I am off to twitter about this great giveaway!! (great problem to have, to end up with two of a really good book!!! ;P )
(Bethany, took out your email b/c it comes to me automatically since you’re a WordPress user)
bethany (dreadlock girl)’s last blog post..Anne of the Island
Bethany’s tweet:
http://twitter.com/b_dreadlockgirl/statuses/1872000957
Okay, so I’m technologically incompetent as well as bad at remembering to leave comments. This link should work.
Caty’s last blog post..Lemonade. Yum.
Hi Devourerofbooks.
I really enjoy your blog. Because you make me smile, I’m giving you a Lemonade Award. The details are on my blog.
I can’t remember whether I’ve ever actually commented on your blog before. I’m really bad at commenting. I promise to comment in future, though, and not just lurk in the background.
Caty.
Caty’s last blog post..Lemonade. Yum.
I really want to read this. I own it, so there is not really much reason for not doing so!
Kailana’s last blog post..Thirteen Movies I Have Watched Recently… A Thursday Thirteen
I’ve always wanted to read a Lisa See novel. Far East culture is something I’d like to learn more about. Thanks for the reminder!
Michele’s last blog post..Review: Twilight of Avalon
I don’t need a copy of this. I’m hoping to read in the next week or so — ooops. Probably after BEA.
Beth F’s last blog post..Thursday Tea . . . Not (May 21): No Angel by Penny Vincenzi
i read snowflower at the suggestion of another blogger and really enjoyed it. i thought see did a great job with characterization and storytelling. i haven’t read this one yet and would love to get my paws on it. thanks for the review and for the giveaway!
nat @ book, line, and sinker’s last blog post..Are You Experienced: Have you been published?
I love Lisa See’s books and can totally understand why you preferred Snow Fan over this current book in regards to the time period and setting. I am really looking forward to reading this because I love her writing and hope to be just as happy with this one as the others!!
Staci’s last blog post..Library Loot – May 20
I haven’t read any of Lisa See’s work, so I won’t have anything to compare it to when I read this book. I’m really looking forward to it.
Kathy’s last blog post..Review: Ravens
I loved Snowflower and the Secret Fan! This one is on my TBR.
Teddy’s last blog post..Mailbox Mondays
I heard Lisa See talk about this book at the LA Times Festival of Books last month, and I’m intrigued. I have SNOW FLOWER… somewhere in TBR Purgatory, but the more recent setting of SHANGHAI GIRLS actually appeals to me more.
(Is this relevant enough to enter me in the giveaway :-)?)
Florinda’s last blog post..A Hometown Story (Weekly Geeks 2009-18): Walking in Memphis – with books
No need to enter me, but I’m glad you liked this one. I’ve been hesitating to pick it up because I’m not sure about the time period, but you’ve convinced me!
S. Krishna’s last blog post..City Dog – Alison Pace
I have been wanting to read this book. I am fascinated with other cultures and Asian culture is my favorite!
Rebecca’s last blog post..Take Me Away Saturday
I loved Snow Flower and the Secret Fan but did not like Peony in Love nearly as much. I am looking forward to reading Shanghai Girls. Thanks for the review!
I’m so glad I found your review! I’d listened to an interview (well, only the tail end, sadly) with the author on NPR just the other day and was really tempted to get the book. Thanks for mentioning “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.” which will also go on my ‘to be read’ list. I’ve read dozens of semihistorical novels taking place in Japan, I’m ready to move on to another culture!
I have a copy of this, and was deciding whether to try to move it up the TBR pile, so you helped me decide. Thanks!
Jeanne’s last blog post..The Mercedes Coffin
I read this book after reading your review. I really enjoyed it but I did like Snow Flower and the Secret fan better. Thanks!
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