Publication Date: June 3rd 2014
Pages: 400
Source: Sent by publisher for review
China Dolls takes the reader back to the San Francisco of 1938; Grace, Helen and Ruby are three friends, who all audition to be a showgirl at the famous ''Oriental'' nightclub The Forbidden City.
Grace is a Chinese American girl from the Midwest, where she fled from her abusive father. Helen is a Chinese girl, whose family is from San Francisco's Chinatown. While Ruby is saying most of the time, and is seen by everyone, as Chinese, she is originally Japanese. Ruby is the only one not passing the audition but finds herself a somehwat questionable job as a semi-nude dancer at the World Fair at Treasure Island. She get's the chance though to work in The Forbidden City and becomes the most famous of all three with her act as the beautiful Princess Tai. And she get's a boyfriend. Joe, the guy who Grace had her eyes on for quite a long time. This is one of the first little tears in the trust and loyalty between the three friends. And that is more tested after Japan attacks Pearl Harbor. Japanese people are arrested all over the USA, and Ruby has to hide that she is Japanese. But it seems like someone reported her and she is arrested and send to a camp. Who reported her and why? T In between, The story takes you through their lives when they perform and rehearse at The Forbidden City, the Oriental nightclub world between 1938 and 19, apartment shares and true and false lovers, war and peace, Hollywood, fame, friendship, and family. The story ends 50 years later, when the 50th annniversary of The Forbidden City is celebrated and the reader get's to see how the bond between the three is at that moment.
Having read Lisa See's previous novel Shanghai Girls (and having Dreams of Joy still unread on my bookshelf..) I was highly anticipating her newest book China Dolls. So I was even more excited I got the chance to review it! And it was worth every minute of waiting. Lisa See did her research so well about the specific time period where this story takes place. I was immediately hooked to the story of Grace, Helen and Ruby. Their friendship (and its flaws) was very entertaining to read about, especially when it came under pressure during the start of the war. It was just awful to read how Americans acted very suspiciously towards Japaneses people. What happened with Japanese people who where reported was showed through Ruby's character. She has to endure a very difficult and frightening time in a camp with other arrested people, like a prisoner. Luckily one of her fans, a rich man, buys her out of it and she can perform again after the war as Princess Tai. I didn't like though how she just acted towards Grace at many points and somewhat stealed her crush Joe, she knew Grace had her eyes on him but found she was better for him.
Overall, I think China Dolls is the best new book coming out this moment, and is one not to miss!! I highly recommend it!
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