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Best Lisa See Books

December 2024

Dreams of Joy

Lisa See’s “Dreams of Joy” is a captivating journey through 1950s China, following a young woman’s search for identity and belonging. As Joy flees to her ancestral homeland, she’s swept up in the tumultuous Great Leap Forward. See’s vivid prose brings to life the sights, sounds, and struggles of a nation in flux. I found myself completely immersed, feeling Joy’s hopes and fears as if they were my own. A poignant exploration of family, sacrifice, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Shanghai Girls

Pearl and May, two beautiful sisters from Shanghai, find their lives upended when their father’s gambling debts force them into arranged marriages. Fleeing war-torn China for America, they face a harrowing journey and struggle to adapt to a new life in Los Angeles. As they navigate love, loss, and cultural clashes, their bond is tested but never broken. See’s vivid prose brings 1930s Shanghai and immigrant life in America to life, weaving a poignant tale of sisterhood, sacrifice, and resilience that will linger long after the last page.

The Island of Sea Women

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Jeju Island’s haenyeo, the remarkable women divers of Korea. Through the eyes of Young-sook and Mi-ja, two best friends turned rivals, Lisa See weaves a tale of friendship, betrayal, and resilience spanning decades. As the women navigate love, loss, and the ever-changing tides of history, their bond is tested against the backdrop of a culture steeped in tradition yet facing the winds of modernization. A poignant exploration of female strength and the enduring power of the human spirit.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

In nineteenth-century China, Lily and Snow Flower forge an unbreakable bond through their secret language, nu shu. As they navigate the rigid expectations of women in their society, their friendship becomes a lifeline. From foot-binding rituals to arranged marriages, See paints a vivid portrait of female resilience. I found myself captivated by the intricate details of their world, feeling both the pain and beauty of their shared experiences. A poignant tale of sisterhood that lingered in my mind long after the final page.

The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane

In the misty mountains of Yunnan, young Li-yan’s life is steeped in tradition and tea. As she comes of age, she grapples with her Akha heritage and the lure of the modern world. A heart-wrenching decision sets her on an unexpected path, intertwining her fate with that of a baby girl across the ocean. Through the aromatic lens of Pu’er tea, See weaves a tale of mothers and daughters, bridging cultures and continents. It’s a story that lingers, like the last sip of a perfect brew.