Break out your cheongsam as we get ready to read Lisa See’s historical fiction, Shanghai Girls.
The name "cheongsam", meaning simply "long dress", entered the English vocabulary from the dialect of China's Guangdong Province (Cantonese). In other parts of the country including Beijing, however, it is known as "qipao".
Pearl and May are sisters who live a life of luxury in 1930’s Shanghai otherwise known as the Paris of Asia. However, certain events lead them on a life changing journey. To prepare for our next meeting you can find the Reader’s Guide here.
"Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of. You know whatever you do, they'll still be there." ~Amy Li
Click on the history link of the Angel Island Immigration Stations Foundation’s Website to learn more about the immigration process on the west coast.
Meet Lisa See in this YouTube interview in which she discusses Shanghai Girls and her own heritage.
What is your Chinese Zodiac sign?
Click here to learn more about your sign.
Let’s not forget the jiu. “In Chinese the word for alcohol "jiu" is used to mean all types of alcoholic beverages, from 'pijiu' (beer) to liquors (just called 'jiu') to grape wine ('putao jiu'). The same character is used in Japanese and Korean, for that matter. This lumping together of all intoxicating beverages gives us great insight into the traditional use for alcohol, intoxication. Even in modern China alcoholic beverages are generally classed by the general population by how much intoxication it delivers for the money. From this point of view table wine is at the bottom rung of the consumer preference list, with brandy being much higher.” (Source: http://www.shanghaifinance.com/food/chinesewine.php).
Looking forward to seeing you all at our next meeting and discussing Karin’s selection!
Happy Reading,
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