Monday, May 26, 2025

Eight works of historical fiction set in America’s Chinatowns

At Book Riot Courtney Rodgers tagged eight works of historical fiction set in America’s varied Chinatowns. One title on the list:
China Dolls by Lisa See

At San Francisco’s most exclusive Chinatown nightclub, Ruby, Helen, and Grace audition for the same showgirl role. Grace is fleeing an abusive father, Helen’s family has been in San Francisco a long time, and Ruby is Japanese, posing as Chinese. Their differences and similarities buoy their complex friendship. This novel follows Ruby, Helen, and Grace through 50 years of war, romance, and heartache.
Read about the other entries on the list.

China Dolls is among Jane Smiley's top ten books about California.

--Marshal Zeringue