Shanghai Girls is another of See's successes - following the story of two sisters, Pearl and May, it explores the circumstances of the fall of Shanghai and the perspective of a struggling Chinese family in America between the 30's and 50's. A fictional tale set in all too real circumstances for many, it immediately sets the scene with a mix of rich storytelling and hard facts, the reader instantly pulled into the protagonist's life and into the reality of her adventures over the course of the years. 
 I do personally like See's style of going through the years rather than giving a direct insight into one specific year, with us following Pearl and her circumstances right up until she is near her mid-thirties. Seeing how the war and other situations affected someone from her background and age was a startling and thought-provoking read, and it brought humanity to what is usually given little attention in the history books. 
 Overall, I think this is a solid read for those who appreciate the human side of history; I am looking forward to reading the sequel.