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kolson687's review against another edition
4.0
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.
purplesky02's review against another edition
2.0
I thought this was okay. I found there was just a lot of describing things that happened, and I thought that many things were just glossed over. I know this happens a lot with books that take place over long stretches of time, I just felt there was a bit too much in this book.
courtney412's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed how the book goes between three main characters and how their relationships go through ups and downs with all the events that happen during this time period. It was a very emotional book.
queenbethie's review against another edition
3.0
China Dolls is not as interesting and compelling book as Lisa See's other novels. This book tells the story of three young "orientals" who meet in San Francisco in the late 1930s, and the journey of their lives over the next several decades. The story at time seemed forced and not as natural as those in See's other novels.
idaho8's review against another edition
2.0
Some of the history of the war was interesting in this book, especially from a Chinese perspective. However, this book didn't seem to have the emotion or luster as Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. The story is told from the perspectives of 3 different women. Different backgrounds, different life views, etc., but they were all written with the same voice, so sometimes it was confusing as to who was the narrator for the chapter. There were a few chapters that pulled me in, but it really dragged on waaaaay too long.
daumari's review against another edition
4.0
whoops, accidentally read through this in a day... definitely a perspective you don't see as often in fiction (Chinese nightclubs in the 40s). I called the betrayal fairly early, though things like that and some parts of the girls' backstories keep this from being purely chick lit.
3kidsrnumber1's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
samraetom's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0