China Dolls: A Novel
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “A fascinating portrait of life as a Chinese American woman in the 1930s and ’40s.”—The New York Times Book Review
“Superb . . . This emotional, informative, and brilliant page-turner resonates with resilience and humanity.”—The Washington Post (Best Books of the Year)
“A sweeping, turbulent tale of passion, friendship, good fortune, bad fortune, perfidy, and the hope of reconciliation.”—Los Angeles Times
San Francisco, 1938: A world’s fair is preparing to open on Treasure Island, a war is brewing overseas, and the city is alive with possibilities. Talented Grace, traditional Helen, and defiant Ruby, three young women from very different backgrounds, meet by chance at the exclusive and glamorous Forbidden City nightclub. The girls become fast friends, relying on one another through unexpected challenges and shifting fortunes.
When their dark secrets are exposed and the invisible thread of fate binds them even tighter, they find the strength and resilience to reach for their dreams. But after the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, paranoia and suspicion threaten to destroy their lives, and a shocking act of betrayal changes everything.
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Community Reviews
Not sure why so many low ratings of this historical novel! I chose this book to get a better understanding of the Asian-American experience. Lisa See did a great job describing the setting, the clothing and the time period. There are three different characters- Grace who grew up in Ohio, Helen who grew up in a very traditional Chinese family and Ruby who is set on becoming a star. What drew these three women together was their ambition to perform and surviving in the entertainment world. I read historical fiction to understand different cultures and time periods. This really fit the bill.
M
I really liked this story about 3 American "Orientals" who meet by chance in the late 1930's in San Francisco. They all come from different backgrounds & are guarding some secret. They are trying to make it big in the Chinese American nightclub era, while navigating their new friendships. When Pearl Harbor is attacked, paranoia & suspicion threaten to destroy all they have worked so hard for. I liked how the chapters alternated between different characters POV. It gave a real voice to each girl, instead of just having one narrator. Very well written & researched about this pivotal time in our history.
Not as good as some of her books but it was still an entertaing story. The audio book was a little hard to follow because of the narrators voice, sometimes I couldn't tell which character was telling the story.
I really related to the 3 friends portion as I have two sisters. One sister and I would get along fabulously then we would have a fight, then I would be on the outside while my two sisters would be best of friends. So on and so on...
I really related to the 3 friends portion as I have two sisters. One sister and I would get along fabulously then we would have a fight, then I would be on the outside while my two sisters would be best of friends. So on and so on...
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