Friday, May 21, 2010

Shanghai Girls (SG) ~ by Lisa See, 2009

During June 2010, we'll discuss Shanghai Girls, a 2009 novel by Lisa See.
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.  In 1937 these two are beautiful, sophisticated, and well-educated, but their family is on the verge of bankruptcy.  And one day their father tells these modern and carefree daughters that he has gambled away their wealth and is selling them as wives to “Gold Mountain men” who have come from Los Angeles to find brides.

But when the sisters leave China and arrive at Angel’s Island (the Ellis Island of the West)—where they are detained, interrogated, and humiliated for months—they feel the harsh reality of leaving home.  They face terrible sacrifices and make impossible choices.  And when May discovers she’s pregnant the situation becomes even more desperate. The sisters make a pact that no one can ever know, but through it all the two heroines hold fast to who they are — Shanghai girls.
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1 comment:

Marg said...

Oh cool. I just finished this a couple of weeks ago. Not sure I will be able to join in without spoiling because I have already finished the sections, but I will definitely be adding my two cents worth at some stage.