46 pages • 1 hour read
Lisa SeeShanghai Girls
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2009A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Shanghai Girls, a historical novel by Lisa See, follows sisters Pearl and May Chin from 1937 Shanghai to Los Angeles over a 20-year span, exploring themes of familial duty, cultural identity, and the bond of sisterhood amidst the backdrop of wartime China and the Chinese immigrant experience in America. The novel includes depictions of suicide, torture, rape, and wartime atrocities.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Lisa See's Shanghai Girls intricately weaves historical and emotional narratives, capturing the essence of sisterhood amid cultural upheavals. Critics appreciate its vivid depiction of 1930s Shanghai and immigrant struggles in America. Some find the pacing uneven and secondary characters underdeveloped but praise the strong central bond between sisters.
Who Should Read Shanghai Girls?
Readers who enjoy Shanghai Girls by Lisa See are often intrigued by historical fiction that delves into familial bonds and cultural heritage. Fans of The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See will find similar emotional depth, strong female characters, and rich storytelling about identity and resilience.