I read SHANGHAI GIRLS with a buddy in my online book club, The Reading Cove, and I didn't enjoy this story the way I did SNOWFLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN. From top to bottom the narrative felt flat, flavorless, and lacking in color.
The main characters, sisters May and Pearl, just weren't as endearing, despite the depth and complexity of their characters and the tumultuous times and experiences they lived through. But although I never really connected with them, I couldn't go so far as to claim complete disinterest in the narrative, which was exclusively from Pearl's POV.
I also found certain plot points almost painfully predictable. One in particular was held in abeyance for what turned into a pretty anti-climactic crescendo. Stevie Wonder could've seen that "secret" from the opening chapters of the story! Yet the narrative treated it like some epic reveal, which just watered down the plot for me.
The end clearly sets up the sequel and sort of leaves the reader hanging, but as I said, I never became engaged enough with these characters to want to read a whole other book about them. I'd rather spend that time reading something else.
With all that said, I am still a fan of Lisa See for the honesty and emotional truth she brings to her characters' interpersonal relationships, so I'm definitely open to reading more of her books in the future. I rate SHANGHAI GIRLS a B-/C+.
The main characters, sisters May and Pearl, just weren't as endearing, despite the depth and complexity of their characters and the tumultuous times and experiences they lived through. But although I never really connected with them, I couldn't go so far as to claim complete disinterest in the narrative, which was exclusively from Pearl's POV.
I also found certain plot points almost painfully predictable. One in particular was held in abeyance for what turned into a pretty anti-climactic crescendo. Stevie Wonder could've seen that "secret" from the opening chapters of the story! Yet the narrative treated it like some epic reveal, which just watered down the plot for me.
The end clearly sets up the sequel and sort of leaves the reader hanging, but as I said, I never became engaged enough with these characters to want to read a whole other book about them. I'd rather spend that time reading something else.
With all that said, I am still a fan of Lisa See for the honesty and emotional truth she brings to her characters' interpersonal relationships, so I'm definitely open to reading more of her books in the future. I rate SHANGHAI GIRLS a B-/C+.
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