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Book Review of Shanghai Girls (May and Pearl, Bk 1)

Shanghai Girls (May and Pearl, Bk 1)
reviewed on + 268 more book reviews


In recent memory, there aren't many books in which I truly dislike the main characters. I finished it only because Lisa See is a good writer, and I needed the background for the sequel which I will read next. These girls sounded more like spoiled brats from a more modern era. In fact, they have no empathy for any of their fellow countrymen living in abject poverty, nor are they aware of others' difficulties. Since they themselves were rich, they were immune from any reality. It isn't until they are thrown into brutal war that they feel anything for anyone. Even then, as they assimilate into America, I could not appreciate their attitudes. It took more than two hundred pages before I felt any sympathy for them. I hope the sequel will be better. D.