Shanghai Girls

The year:1937 Shanghai at that time was the Paris of Asia. This story is a journey of 2 lovely sisters who I imagined as the Paris and Nicole Hilton of Asia when reading the book. Until I got to the middle of the pages ofcourse. :) Pearl Chin, 21 years old and her younger sister, May, are having the time of their lives. Both are beautiful, May more so than Pearl, modern, very RICH and carefree—until the day their father tells them that he is marrying them off to suitors who have traveled from Los Angeles. They also found out that they are basically being sold to repay his debts as he has gambled away their wealth. As Japanese bombs fall on their beloved city, Pearl and May set out on the journey of a lifetime, from the Chinese countryside to the shores of America. Though inseparable best friends, the sisters also harbor petty jealousies and rivalries. Along the way they make terrible sacrifices, face impossible choices, and confront a devastating, life-changing secret. The author has written beautifully. Making sure that Shanghai is painted nicely and not much concentration of the Japanese invading Shanghai, the book is an easy read and my imagination was fully satisfied by this book. Ratings: 9/10