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Cover of Shanghai Girls by Lisa SeeShanghai Girls
Modern · Fiction, War, Literature

Shanghai Girls

by Lisa See
2009 · 337 pages · Fiction
Lifetime bestseller
≈ 8 hours to read · about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day

What it's about

In 1937, Shanghai is the Paris of Asia, and sisters Pearl and May Chin are having the time of their lives, thanks to their father's prosperous rickshaw business. Though both defy authority and tradition, they couldn't be more different, and when their world collapses, their bond is tested.

Why it's worth reading

It spent 44 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists. It's a moving saga of sisterhood and immigration.

You'll love it if you liked

Good to know

It includes violence and sexual assault.

By the numbers

64.4Must-Read Score
  • Readers34 out of 100 · counts 42%
  • Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
  • Bestseller54 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
  • Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%

Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.

Where it ranks

Why it made the list

Bestseller
44 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists since 2009

Reads as

Moving

How we rank

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Explore the best-of lists

All 36 best-of lists →

Quick answers

Is Shanghai Girls worth reading?

Yes. It spent 44 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists. It ranks #1,943 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 64.4 (the best book we found scores 99).

What is Shanghai Girls about?

In 1937, Shanghai is the Paris of Asia, and sisters Pearl and May Chin are having the time of their lives, thanks to their father's prosperous rickshaw business. Though both defy authority and tradition, they couldn't be more different, and when their world collapses, their bond is tested.

How long does it take to read Shanghai Girls?

About 8 hours (337 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.

What should I read after Shanghai Girls?

If you liked it, try Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See, The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan or Pachinko by Min Jin Lee.