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jcaballero0725's review against another edition
4.0
I am a fan of Lisa See and really enjoy her style of writing. She really knows how to steer your emotions in whichever direction she wants to take you. I love reading about this time in history and would recommend it to others who do as well.
redvelveting's review against another edition
3.75
This book was a wonderful glimpse into Chinese American life during World War II and even more interestingly, the history of Asian American performers and clubs. Such a fascinating part of American history that I would never have known about. It’s clear that a lot of research went into creating this book and capturing the Chinese American experience at the time.
The book is told from three different perspectives and the author did a fantastic job of distinguishing them. I think the climax was dissatisfying (resolved quite quickly), but overall, I enjoyed the book.
The book is told from three different perspectives and the author did a fantastic job of distinguishing them. I think the climax was dissatisfying (resolved quite quickly), but overall, I enjoyed the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Violence, Xenophobia, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and War
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Confinement, Slavery, Terminal illness, and Abortion
darr76's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
chrissypink80's review against another edition
3.0
I’d give this book 3 1/2 stars. The relationships between the main characters were interesting but the plot and scenes within the book were quite repetitive. I would have liked to have read more about what was going on with the war and the men characters’ experience and perspective on it.
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Digital audiobook narrated by Jodi Long
This work of historical fiction begins in 1938. Three young women – Helen Fong, Grace Lee and Ruby Tom – meet just as the World’s Fair is set to begin on Treasure Island. They’re from different backgrounds but all are drawn to the glamorous Forbidden City nightclub by their dreams of success. World War II will soon interrupt their career paths, and their friendship will suffer, but they will endure. See follows the young women through the war years and includes an epilogue set in 1988.
I really enjoyed this book. I was in vested in these young women and their aspirations. While my background is different from theirs, we share the push/pull of traditional culture (and the expectations that result) vs the desire to see our dreams fulfilled. I loved, also, the detail See included from costumes to scenery to social issues – these elements really took me back to this era and culture.
See invented her heroines and the majority of characters, but includes a number of actual performers / entertainers of the time period. She did extensive research, including many in-person interviews with now elderly past performers on the “Chop Suey Circuit.”
Jodi Long does a marvelous job of narrating the audiobook. I admit, however, that I sometimes didn’t pay close enough attention to which character was narrating which chapter. (See does state the character at the beginning of each chapter.) Until I got used to the constant changing of point of view, I found myself occasionally confused. That was my fault, not Long’s narration.
This work of historical fiction begins in 1938. Three young women – Helen Fong, Grace Lee and Ruby Tom – meet just as the World’s Fair is set to begin on Treasure Island. They’re from different backgrounds but all are drawn to the glamorous Forbidden City nightclub by their dreams of success. World War II will soon interrupt their career paths, and their friendship will suffer, but they will endure. See follows the young women through the war years and includes an epilogue set in 1988.
I really enjoyed this book. I was in vested in these young women and their aspirations. While my background is different from theirs, we share the push/pull of traditional culture (and the expectations that result) vs the desire to see our dreams fulfilled. I loved, also, the detail See included from costumes to scenery to social issues – these elements really took me back to this era and culture.
See invented her heroines and the majority of characters, but includes a number of actual performers / entertainers of the time period. She did extensive research, including many in-person interviews with now elderly past performers on the “Chop Suey Circuit.”
Jodi Long does a marvelous job of narrating the audiobook. I admit, however, that I sometimes didn’t pay close enough attention to which character was narrating which chapter. (See does state the character at the beginning of each chapter.) Until I got used to the constant changing of point of view, I found myself occasionally confused. That was my fault, not Long’s narration.
summerluvn78's review against another edition
3.0
This was an easy vacation read. I am not sure if I could have enjoyed it till the end had I not been on vacation with nothing but time to stay engaged :)
China Dolls tells the story of the rise of Asian entertainers on the nightclub circuit during the late 1930s through the mid 1940s, through the lives of Grace, Helen, and Ruby, three separate women who were Asian entertainers during that time. It is in the way that the lives of these three women alternately intersect and diverge that the story of what it was like to be an entertainer on the "Chop Suey Circuit" was like.
China Dolls tells the story of the rise of Asian entertainers on the nightclub circuit during the late 1930s through the mid 1940s, through the lives of Grace, Helen, and Ruby, three separate women who were Asian entertainers during that time. It is in the way that the lives of these three women alternately intersect and diverge that the story of what it was like to be an entertainer on the "Chop Suey Circuit" was like.
bippityboppityboop's review against another edition
4.0
The audiobook was fantastic! Maybe a bit too long but the melodrama was so much fun.
maries_bookverse's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
‘China Dolls’ is a novel that follows the lives of three young women—Grace Lee, Ruby Tom, and Helen Fong—against the backdrop of 1930s and 1940s San Francisco. The three women are connected by their shared experiences as Asian American women navigating the challenges of identity, friendship, and survival during a tumultuous period in history.
This is a book about friendship, identity, and resilience that transcends cultural boundaries. Through the lives of Grace, Ruby, and Helen, Lisa See reminds us of the universal human experience of seeking connection, belonging, and authenticity in a world filled with challenges and uncertainties.
The most interesting part of this novel lies in the bond shared between Grace, Ruby, and Helen. Despite their differing backgrounds and personalities, the three women are united by their dreams of success and independence, as well as their struggles against societal expectations and discrimination. The novel depicts how their paths cross as they navigate auditions, performances, and social gatherings within the entertainment industry in San Francisco during the 1930s. These chance encounters lead to the formation of a deep bond rooted in friendship, mutual support, and shared aspirations. As they pursue their dreams within the bustling nightlife of San Francisco, Grace, Ruby, and Helen's lives become intertwined, setting the stage for the intertwining of their fates and the exploration of their relationships throughout the story. Nightclubs, theaters, and performances offer opportunities for Grace, Ruby, and Helen to pursue their dreams, yet also expose them to the racial tensions and discrimination prevalent during this time period.
Grace emerges as a determined and ambitious protagonist, driven by her aspirations within the entertainment industry. Her friendship with Ruby and Helen is characterized by mutual support and understanding, yet tinged with moments of jealousy and competition. Grace's insecurities surrounding her racial identity and upbringing occasionally fuel conflicts within the group, underscoring the complexities of their relationships.
In contrast, Helen embodies poise and tradition, serving as a stabilizing force within the trio. Her relationship with Grace and Ruby is multifaceted, shaped by her own struggles with cultural identity and aspirations for success. Despite her composed exterior, Helen grapples with inner insecurities and desires, adding depth to her interactions with her friends.
Ruby, the vivacious and charismatic member of the group, harbors a secret that tests the bonds of friendship when it is revealed. Her vibrant personality and outgoing nature mask the complexities of her true identity, introducing a layer of tension and mistrust among the trio.
I think ‘China Dolls’ is a compelling exploration of friendship, identity, and resilience that transcends cultural boundaries. Through the lives of Grace, Ruby, and Helen, Lisa See reminds us of the universal human experience of seeking connection, belonging, and authenticity in a world filled with challenges and uncertainties. The characters grapple with questions of identity and self-definition in the face of societal pressures and expectations. Grace, Ruby, and Helen confront stereotypes and prejudice based on their race, gender, and ethnicity, highlighting the intersectionality of their experiences as Asian American women. Their journeys towards self-discovery and self-acceptance challenge conventional notions of identity and femininity.
The novel explores the challenges women faced in pursuing their ambitions, especially in male-dominated fields like entertainment. Grace, Ruby, and Helen defy societal expectations by aspiring for success and independence in their careers. Their determination to carve out their own paths despite obstacles reflects a feminist ethos of empowerment and agency. I like the way this book celebrates the power of female friendship and solidarity as Grace, Ruby, and Helen support each other through triumphs and tribulations. Their bond serves as a source of strength, highlighting the importance of women lifting each other up in a world that often pits them against each other.
This is a book about friendship, identity, and resilience that transcends cultural boundaries. Through the lives of Grace, Ruby, and Helen, Lisa See reminds us of the universal human experience of seeking connection, belonging, and authenticity in a world filled with challenges and uncertainties.
The most interesting part of this novel lies in the bond shared between Grace, Ruby, and Helen. Despite their differing backgrounds and personalities, the three women are united by their dreams of success and independence, as well as their struggles against societal expectations and discrimination. The novel depicts how their paths cross as they navigate auditions, performances, and social gatherings within the entertainment industry in San Francisco during the 1930s. These chance encounters lead to the formation of a deep bond rooted in friendship, mutual support, and shared aspirations. As they pursue their dreams within the bustling nightlife of San Francisco, Grace, Ruby, and Helen's lives become intertwined, setting the stage for the intertwining of their fates and the exploration of their relationships throughout the story. Nightclubs, theaters, and performances offer opportunities for Grace, Ruby, and Helen to pursue their dreams, yet also expose them to the racial tensions and discrimination prevalent during this time period.
Grace emerges as a determined and ambitious protagonist, driven by her aspirations within the entertainment industry. Her friendship with Ruby and Helen is characterized by mutual support and understanding, yet tinged with moments of jealousy and competition. Grace's insecurities surrounding her racial identity and upbringing occasionally fuel conflicts within the group, underscoring the complexities of their relationships.
In contrast, Helen embodies poise and tradition, serving as a stabilizing force within the trio. Her relationship with Grace and Ruby is multifaceted, shaped by her own struggles with cultural identity and aspirations for success. Despite her composed exterior, Helen grapples with inner insecurities and desires, adding depth to her interactions with her friends.
Ruby, the vivacious and charismatic member of the group, harbors a secret that tests the bonds of friendship when it is revealed. Her vibrant personality and outgoing nature mask the complexities of her true identity, introducing a layer of tension and mistrust among the trio.
I think ‘China Dolls’ is a compelling exploration of friendship, identity, and resilience that transcends cultural boundaries. Through the lives of Grace, Ruby, and Helen, Lisa See reminds us of the universal human experience of seeking connection, belonging, and authenticity in a world filled with challenges and uncertainties. The characters grapple with questions of identity and self-definition in the face of societal pressures and expectations. Grace, Ruby, and Helen confront stereotypes and prejudice based on their race, gender, and ethnicity, highlighting the intersectionality of their experiences as Asian American women. Their journeys towards self-discovery and self-acceptance challenge conventional notions of identity and femininity.
The novel explores the challenges women faced in pursuing their ambitions, especially in male-dominated fields like entertainment. Grace, Ruby, and Helen defy societal expectations by aspiring for success and independence in their careers. Their determination to carve out their own paths despite obstacles reflects a feminist ethos of empowerment and agency. I like the way this book celebrates the power of female friendship and solidarity as Grace, Ruby, and Helen support each other through triumphs and tribulations. Their bond serves as a source of strength, highlighting the importance of women lifting each other up in a world that often pits them against each other.
kiminindy's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic! Love Lisa See and how she develops the characters. Wonderfully written and hard to put down. I was actually sad when I came to the end.
caramel_peaches's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0