China Dolls
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China Dolls
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Narrated by:
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Jodi Long
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By:
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Lisa See
About this listen
It’s 1938 in San Francisco: a world’s fair is preparing to open on Treasure Island, a war is brewing overseas, and the city is alive with possibilities.
Grace, Helen, and Ruby, three young women from very different backgrounds, meet by chance at the exclusive and glamorous Forbidden City nightclub. Grace Lee, an American-born Chinese girl, has fled the Midwest with nothing but heartache, talent, and a pair of dancing shoes. Helen Fong lives with her extended family in Chinatown, where her traditional parents insist that she guard her reputation like a piece of jade. The stunning Ruby Tom challenges the boundaries of convention at every turn with her defiant attitude and no-holds-barred ambition.
The girls become fast friends, relying on one another through unexpected challenges and shifting fortunes. When their dark secrets are exposed and the invisible thread of fate binds them even tighter, they find the strength and resilience to reach for their dreams. But after the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, paranoia and suspicion threaten to destroy their lives, and a shocking act of betrayal changes everything.
©2014 Lisa See (P)2014 Bolinda Publication Pty LtdListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
What listeners say about China Dolls
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Marie Dahl
- 27-03-24
The importance of women lifting each other up in this world 🥰
"China Dolls" by Lisa See is a novel that follows the lives of three young women—Grace Lee, Ruby Tom, and Helen Fong—against the backdrop of 1930s and 1940s San Francisco. The three women are connected by their shared experiences as Asian American women navigating the challenges of identity, friendship, and survival during a tumultuous period in history.
This is a book about friendship, identity, and resilience that transcends cultural boundaries. Through the lives of Grace, Ruby, and Helen, Lisa See reminds us of the universal human experience of seeking connection, belonging, and authenticity in a world filled with challenges and uncertainties.
At the heart of the novel lies the bond shared between Grace, Ruby, and Helen. Despite their differing backgrounds and personalities, the three women are united by their dreams of success and independence, as well as their struggles against societal expectations and discrimination. The novel depicts how their paths cross as they navigate auditions, performances, and social gatherings within the entertainment industry in San Francisco during the 1930s. These chance encounters lead to the formation of a deep bond rooted in friendship, mutual support, and shared aspirations. As they pursue their dreams within the bustling nightlife of San Francisco, Grace, Ruby, and Helen's lives become intertwined, setting the stage for the intertwining of their fates and the exploration of their relationships throughout the story. Nightclubs, theaters, and performances offer opportunities for Grace, Ruby, and Helen to pursue their dreams, yet also expose them to the racial tensions and discrimination prevalent during this time period.
Grace emerges as a determined and ambitious protagonist, driven by her aspirations within the entertainment industry. Her friendship with Ruby and Helen is characterized by mutual support and understanding, yet tinged with moments of jealousy and competition. Grace's insecurities surrounding her racial identity and upbringing occasionally fuel conflicts within the group, underscoring the complexities of their relationships.
In contrast, Helen embodies poise and tradition, serving as a stabilizing force within the trio. Her relationship with Grace and Ruby is multifaceted, shaped by her own struggles with cultural identity and aspirations for success. Despite her composed exterior, Helen grapples with inner insecurities and desires, adding depth to her interactions with her friends.
Ruby, the vivacious and charismatic member of the group, harbors a secret that tests the bonds of friendship when it is revealed. Her vibrant personality and outgoing nature mask the complexities of her true identity, introducing a layer of tension and mistrust among the trio.
I think "China Dolls" is a compelling exploration of friendship, identity, and resilience that transcends cultural boundaries. Through the lives of Grace, Ruby, and Helen, Lisa See reminds us of the universal human experience of seeking connection, belonging, and authenticity in a world filled with challenges and uncertainties. The characters grapple with questions of identity and self-definition in the face of societal pressures and expectations. Grace, Ruby, and Helen confront stereotypes and prejudice based on their race, gender, and ethnicity, highlighting the intersectionality of their experiences as Asian American women. Their journeys towards self-discovery and self-acceptance challenge conventional notions of identity and femininity.
The novel explores the challenges women faced in pursuing their ambitions, especially in male-dominated fields like entertainment. Grace, Ruby, and Helen defy societal expectations by aspiring for success and independence in their careers. Their determination to carve out their own paths despite obstacles reflects a feminist ethos of empowerment and agency. I like the way this book celebrates the power of female friendship and solidarity as Grace, Ruby, and Helen support each other through triumphs and tribulations. Their bond serves as a source of strength, highlighting the importance of women lifting each other up in a world that often pits them against each other.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Holly
- 28-03-19
Got me back into fiction
Lisa See's China Dolls is an accessible and arresting story of three young women in San Francisco before the outbreak of WW2. As someone who would usually find less likable protagonists wearing, the fraught relationships in the book did not put me off, and instead I was drawn into their world.
I was first recommended this book when I finished university and had read non-fiction solidly for three years. It turned out to be the perfect story to race through and remind me what's great about fiction.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Louise Philpott
- 01-02-20
A great story, a little drawn out
This was a brilliant story of the troubles sustained by Chinese and Japanese women in America during WW2, depicting complex friendships and relationships. I felt that some chapters were unnecessarily drawn out. Also, unfortunately, that the narrator’s voice was incredibly annoying from the outset and very slow. I had to speed up the audio to x1.25 and then it seemed a normal pace. By Part 3 of the book I had to speed it up to x1.5 as it seemed to be going on for ever. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the story a lot!
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- R
- 19-01-22
interesting story buy frustrating narrator
The story is fresh and engaging, but the narrator made this a tough one to finish. She's so OVERLY ENTHUSIASTIC all the time that it's almost like she's making fun of the characters as she acts them out. Exhausting.
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