Shanghai Girls by Lisa See Pearl and May are sisters living in 1937 cosmopolitan Shanghai, the Paris of Asia. They believe they are modern and independent but when they learn their father has lost them in a gambling bet, they become the traditional Chinese daughters.
They are to marry two Chinese Americans and are supposed to join their new husbands in America to start a new life. Shanghai at that time is under siege and is being attacked by the Japanese. Pearl and May suffer difficulties and indignities in trying to flee from the horrors and encounter many atrocities along the way. When they reach San Francisco, they are detained at Angel Island by the immigration authorities. The sisters face hardship in adjusting to their new life in America.
This story covers 20 years and illustrates the culture and history of Chinese Americans at the time and the struggles they have go through in order to adjust to a new country. The author narrates a captivating and engaging story of two worlds that are on the verge of change.
FCPL's Literazzi book club will be discussing Shanghai Girls February 26th at 7:00 pm. and February 27th at 2:00 p.m. at the Sharon Forks Library. We look forward to hearing what patrons think about this unique book.
Shamsha Karim
Information Specialist
No comments:
Post a Comment