The Last Rose of Shanghai
Books | Fiction / Historical / General
4
(776)
Weina Dai Randel
In Japanese-occupied Shanghai, two people from different cultures are drawn together by fate and the freedom of music... 1940. Aiyi Shao is a young heiress and the owner of a formerly popular and glamorous Shanghai nightclub. Ernest Reismann is a penniless Jewish refugee driven out of Germany, an outsider searching for shelter in a city wary of strangers. He loses nearly all hope until he crosses paths with Aiyi. When she hires Ernest to play piano at her club, her defiance of custom causes a sensation. His instant fame makes Aiyi's club once again the hottest spot in Shanghai. Soon they realize they share more than a passion for jazz--but their differences seem insurmountable, and Aiyi is engaged to another man. As the war escalates, Aiyi and Ernest find themselves torn apart, and their choices between love and survival grow more desperate. In the face of overwhelming odds, a chain of events is set in motion that will change both their lives forever. From the electrifying jazz clubs to the impoverished streets of a city under siege, The Last Rose of Shanghai is a timeless, sweeping story of love and redemption.
Historical Fiction
World War 2
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More Details:
Author
Weina Dai Randel
Pages
430
Publisher
Amazon Publishing
Published Date
2021
ISBN
1542032873 9781542032872
Community ReviewsSee all
"The story felt very stagnant at some points. I also personally did not like the short chapters that kept switching POV. It made it difficult to like the characters and really see/feel their development. The topic is incredibly interesting and made me read about China and WWII, but overall an underwhelming book. "
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Suzanne Florey
"Dramatic and gut-wrenching, this is an epic story of redemption, the bone-crushing weight of moral obligation and the resilience of the human spirit. This story is like the Jewish Marriage tradition of breaking a glass to remind of sadness even in joyous moment - morose yet cheerful - we are reminded that even in the darkest chapters of our lives, love, optimism, acceptance, honor, duty and forgiveness can prevail regardless of circumstances. "
"I had never thought about what the east looked like during WW2, so this was an enlightening perspective. I thought it was just a little slow/predictable until the very very end, but still enjoyed it. 4/5 stars"
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Teresa Schumann