“Shanghai Girls” by Lisa See – Book Club Questions

Courtesy of Lisasee.com

I am notorious for not reading my book club books in order. Firstly because I take what ever is available at the library and it is not always the next book in line, and secondly, I often gravitate to what sounds good. I was especially excited to read Lisa See’s book “Shanghai Girls” that came out in 2009. Asian culture is one of my interests (just look at what my Minor was in college) and so I jumped ahead to our January 2016 book selection.

This book takes you on the an epic journey of two sisters, through much tragedy and heartache, with personal discovery and glorious triumph peppered in between. Its that sense of ying and yang that made me feel fulfilled after reading this intimate story.

Have you read this amazing book already? Here are my “Shanghai Girls” by Lisa See – Book Club Questions:

1. Did you relate better to one of the sisters? If so, who? Was it their experiences or character that you connected with?
2. Old Shanghai in 1937 was the background of the first part of the book. What did you learn about that city, prewar, that you did not know? Did you see any similarities to old Shanghai to other modern cities today.
3. The sisters were considered “Beautiful Girls” in there culture, idealized and respected by others.  When their family’s fortune disappeared their “Beautiful Girl” status also begun to crumble.  Do you feel that being part of a wealthy family had more to do with their “Beautiful Girl” status than their actual natural beauty? What do you feel Pearl and May felt gave them their “Beautiful Girl” status?
4. What do you feel would have happened if the sisters did not make there way to the US? Could that have changed there life for the better or for the worse?
5. Old Man is clearly not considered an honorable man or a respectful father figure. Was there any point in the book where you felt sorry for him, or better understood his sinister motives? What about the sisters own father?
6. This book is filled with death, sickness, and loss. What are some symbols within the book that you felt further emphasize death and loss?
7. There were many shocking discoveries through out the book. What were some of these discoveries, both in China and the US, and did you see an significance in them? Did you feel they were as shocking as the author intended them to be?
8. Racism had a large place in this book, especially while in post war California. Pearl was often scared that racism may lead to the discovery of the truths of how the family gained their U.S. citizen status. What are some ways that Pearl and her U.S. family tried to avoid racism and the discovery of their false citizen status.
9. Because this book covered over 20 years of these women’s lives we were introduced to many other characters.  Was there any that you enjoyed the most?  Who did you despise with a vengeance?
10. Although this book is fiction, Lisa See spent a lot of time giving the reader inside looks at the 1930-1940’s Chinese lifestyle. Where there any cultural uniqueness that you found fascinating? How does it differ from the typical American lifestyle?

“Shanghai Girls” by Lisa See was a perfect read for a lazy vacation weekend or a little escapism on your own sofa. Let yourself get caught up in this historical non-fiction.