Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

Book Description
For readers of the phenomenal bestsellers Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and Peony in Love--a stunning new novel from Lisa See about two sisters who leave Shanghai to find new lives in 1930s Los Angeles.

May and Pearl, two sisters living in Shanghai in the mid-1930s, are beautiful, sophisticated, and well-educated, but their family is on the verge of bankruptcy. Hoping to improve their social standing, May and Pearl’s parents arrange for their daughters to marry “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. And when May discovers she’s pregnant the situation becomes even more desperate. The sisters make a pact that no one can ever know.

A novel about two sisters, two cultures, and the struggle to find a new life in America while bound to the old, Shanghai Girls is a fresh, fascinating adventure from beloved and bestselling author Lisa See.

My thoughts
“Shanghai Girls” is an interesting tale of May and Pearl, two sisters in 19030’s China and how they make it to American and what they needed to survive. Their love for one another keeps them going through whatever pain life throws their way. I couldn’t put the book down, but was surprised by the abrupt ending. I got to feel for these women and watch them grow as the story unfolded, but then it was over and I was left wondering “Is that it?” It was a good read but the last few pages just killed it and hence the so-so rating.