Shanghai Girls

If you're looking for a dramatic period novel, this is it. Shanghai Girls had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Lisa See is wonderful at constructing a story about two young, naïve, wealthy girls who become strong, unshakable women. This is a story of despair, war, murder, and tragedy. I found myself shocked, angry, sad, and the occasional bit of joy while reading. Adaptation is key to surviving anything, and the girls learn this quickly in the novel. The unthinkable happens to Pearl, the main protagonist, and she suffers throughout the novel. The girls work together to survive, eventually settling into a life they did not wish for. The women are tough, making the best of the worst situation by changing their fate and their lives. If I've learned anything after reading this book, it is that you don't know what you have until it is gone; you can never get it back, but you can find something else to replace it.