Book Review: China Dolls

China Dolls
Author: Lisa See
Published: Random House, June 2014
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 4/5

Lisa See happens to be one of my favorite Asian historical fiction writers. Her works have focused on China and the trials and tribulations Chinese women have faced in different time periods. I was excited to read her latest novel China Dolls and was pleased with the storyline, setting and the initial introduction of her characters. However, this novel didn't deliver strong character development as her other novels have.

In 1938, Grace finds herself in San Francisco's Chinatown after leaving behind her abusive father. Her desire is to find work at a nightclub where she can make a living dancing. She meets Helen and Ruby and three soon become fast friends. Helen has a dark past and lives with her traditional Chinese family and her  desire is to escape the cage and her pain. Ruby is Japanese and passing herself as Chinese in order to find gainful employment in Chinatown. The course of their lives and friendships is altered the day Japan attacks Pearl Harbor. Ruby is sent to a concentration camp while her two friends continue on with their life and wonders which one betrayed her.

What I enjoyed about this novel was the premise of the story: three young oriental American determined to make their own way in the world. Lisa See's ability to bring her readers' to the historical setting is one of her strengths. In my mind, I could envision the 1930-40's streets of Chinatown and San Francisco. Her characters each have a solid, believable background which sets the tone of voice for each girl.

The reason this novel seems to fall short in my eyes is the lack of character development throughout the story. The initial friendship of the girls' seems to be motivated by the face they are all pretty and like being seen together. Even as the novel progresses, they tend to act like preteens jealous of each other's friendships like a love triangle.

What began as a possibly well-written alternating narration quickly becomes a weakness in this book. While the character's each have a developed voice the alternating chapters began to feel a bit choppy. Towards the end of the novel I felt as if I was being pushed from one character's brain to the other without much notice. Even the thought process of the characters' and their voices began to feel the same. Considering each girls' dramatic past, their voices could have been individually stronger with their psychological and physical experiences.

I would recommend this novel to those curious about the life of the Chinese in American history. Overall, this novel can be an enjoyable read, but it will not be making the reread list.

Book Review: Peony in Love

Peony in Love

Author: Lisa See

Published: Random House, 2007

Genre: Historical Fantasy

Rating: 5/5

This novel came into my possession while I was finishing up my graduate residency on Star Island. My room had no plug and I had only come with my kindle for reading material. Not a smart choice. I should have known better since it was my third time on the isle. Of course, I found myself in the small bookstore in the Oceanic hotel looking for a book or two to buy. Having enjoyed Lisa See's Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, I decided to purchase another novel by her. I was not disappointed.

Peony lives a sheltered life in her family's elaborate house in seventeenth-century China. She will do everything her parents tell her to do, as is the tradition, including marrying a stranger. One night she sees a man and is overcome with a strong emotion: love. Unable to bear the the thought of marrying anyone but the man she meets in secret she plunges herself into despair. In both the world of the living and the dead, Peony's journey of love will bring desire, sorrow, pain and happiness. The words she wrote while she still breathed will become the last tangible part of her in the living world. 

See's ability to recreate China through her prose and setting is one of her greatest attributes as a writer. Readers will find themselves temporarily in China as they read this novel. They will learn about many cultural elements and beliefs as they find themselves crossing over from the world of the living to the dead with Peony. I would recommend this novel to anybody with an interest in Chinese culture who enjoys historical fantasy.

(#13 of the 100 Book Challenge)

Book Review: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

Author: Lisa See

Published: 2005, Random House

Genre: Historical Fiction

Rating: 4/5

I pride myself on reading the book before seeing the movie. There have been a few exceptions in my life where I saw the movie first, either intentionally or accidentally. This was one of the accident moments where I rented a movie from the Red Box to watch. I became fascinated with the Chinese bonding ceremony of laotong (old same) and decided to research the topic. This is when I discovered the movie was based on a book. 

At the age of seven, Lily, is matched up with Snow Flower in ceremonial binding match of laotong in 19th century China. Based on their astrological signs they are kindred spirits and  must value each other before all other bonds. They suffer the agony of footbinding in an attempt to make their feet "perfect" to improve marriage prospects. They learn from a young age the female sex will suffer. They are the unwelcome sex when they are born. A father is to view his daughters as a burden by tradition even if he cherishes them. As adults they are valued in their ability to bear sons. Using the secret women writing, nu shu, Snow Flower and Lily share their joys and suffering as their fortunes in life reverse. They will suffer even in their love for each other. 

Lisa See has created a tangible and visible story using her strong sense of description in the senses. Readers will cringe in horror at the process of footbinding that would forever cripple Lily and Snow Flower from being able to walk properly. The sorrow the characters feel will seep from the pages into the cracks of their hearts where we all hide our own sufferings. Readers will recall that in life we all suffer but we persevere because we are loved. Or perhaps, we suffer even because we are loved. 

(#6 of the 100 Book Challenge)