The goal is to read a book set in every country I have been to.  And while I feel the strongest desire to start reading a Tanzanian novel, I have decided to begin at my life’s beginning…

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Shanghai Girls

My first book is Shanghai Girls by Lisa See. It is a story about Pearl and May,  two sisters living the life of “beautiful girls” in 1930s Shanghai.  Their world of extravagance and elegance initially hid the signs of impending war and death looming over the city, but  eventually life as they knew it collapsed around them.  The story follows the sisters through their escape from the Japanese, detainment at Angel’s Island to their attempts at reconciling the tragedies and secrets of their lives. 

I hesitate to read Chinese books penned by American Chinese authors.  They taste like General Tsao’s chicken… edible but unauthentic.  They are heavy with stereotypical Chinese myths, too much for my palate but perhaps stimulating to a foreigner‘s tongue.  I vowed myself never to read such a book again after suffering through Joy Luck Club and its endless tales of bounded feet, losing face and zodiac signs. 

Another qualm I have is that in these books the author always moves their protagonist to the US and write about the struggles of assimilating into a foreign culture.  My grandparents never escaped and thus my parents were  raised in China, and it would haven been refreshing to have read a novel that told the stories behind China’s Iron Curtain.

Yet, no matter how cliched some elements of the book may be, there is no denying the existence of tremendous tragedies in 20th Century China.  This book serves as a stark reminder of how fortunate my generation is and in that sense, Shanghai Girls was a worthwhile read.

I headed to Xiamen the next morning, where my dad currently works. The city lies in the south and as such, was much warmer than I had anticipated.  I spent a few days catching up on a lot of sleep and seeing the nearby island of Gulang Yu (Piano Island). 

In Shanghai, I was able to meet up with most of my relatives over – you guessed it – dinner.  Nothing beats a large Chinese meal around a round table.  I was also really glad I was able to touch the piano and finally learn my favorite song from the Pride and Prejudice soundtrack. On my last day, I met up with Christina and Erik for lunch.  It was interesting to get their take about living in a foreign country.

Overall, the whole trip has been a needed change from the monotony of the last three years.  Partly due to my packed schedule, partly due to the fun I’ve been having… It feels like so much has happened in the last three weeks… Charlotte, Miami, San Deigo, LA, SF, Vancouver, Beijing, Xiamen and finally Shanghai… 

And as this journey ends, the next advenure is about to begin…