The Last Rose of Shanghai
- Downloads：1433
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2021-12-15 02:19:12
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Weina Dai Randel
- ISBN：1542032873
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
Reviews
Mary Ann
，
Captivating Loved this novel and how it unfolded。 Takes place during a very difficult time in history。 How people survive and eventually find there way is a testament to our tenacity。
Martin
，
2。5 rounded up。 I had a love/hate relationship with this book。 OK， maybe that's a bit strong， it was a "like/not so much" relationship。 I sometimes thought it was written to become a TV miniseries or worse a Hallmark soap opera style TV film。 I raised my rating to a 3 based upon the sheer depth of research that was required to learn about Jewish refugees pre and during WWII who ended up in Shanghai - that's not your everyday subject matter and it did require a lot of preparation。 The writing was 2。5 rounded up。 I had a love/hate relationship with this book。 OK， maybe that's a bit strong， it was a "like/not so much" relationship。 I sometimes thought it was written to become a TV miniseries or worse a Hallmark soap opera style TV film。 I raised my rating to a 3 based upon the sheer depth of research that was required to learn about Jewish refugees pre and during WWII who ended up in Shanghai - that's not your everyday subject matter and it did require a lot of preparation。 The writing was descriptive and fairly easy reading and I enjoyed the descriptions of Shanghai of that era。 Now for the "not so much" aspects。 Parts of their adventures were totally unbelievable。 Without resorting to spoilers， let me just state that one of our lead characters， Ernest， is an accomplished pianist and becomes Shanghai's main nightclub attraction as a jazz entertainer， featured in popular magazines etc。 However， our main villain， the all-too-sterotypical Japanese military bully， Yamizake， has no way to locate Ernest who hides in plain sight。 And there are other events that stretched credulity （when I'm reading alone and hear myself blurt out "Gimme a break" I think that indicates I wasn't buying it！） One more example without mentioning the characters or situation， how does someone who has never been in the military know instinctively how to drive an army tank？ I wouldn't even know how to start it up， is there a key and an ignition？ The characters are pretty shallow， I never understood what drove the love interests to each other。 In Ernest's case it pretty much was pure lust， in Aiyi's case we never really understood （pretty much because she's not too nice a person。） You'll see the not-too-surprising "twist" a mile away。 Overall， I stuck with it， kept hoping it would take a turn for the better， but ended up disappointed。 There are a lot of very positive reviews on Goodreads so this novel might be right for others。 。。。more
Felicia Gaglio
，
This book was intense on so many levels。 I loved the characters - surprised me with a major twist towards that end that floored me。 I felt that it ended so abruptly。 I thought I was going to the next chapter and it was the end。
Norma J。 Ray
，
Great historical novelYou don’t see many historical fiction books that take place in China。 I have a friend who was a Jewish refugee as a little girl。 She spent 5 years in China during WWII before the US allowed her family to immigrate。 The story is full of passion， action， good people and bad。 The author is amazing at describing actions from the perspective of the person living through it。 Great story。
Shashi21
，
This is one of the best books I have read。 I didn’t realize that the Jews left Germany and went to Shanghai the history in this book， even though it’s historical fiction is incredible。 The author gives a list of books at the end of her book with different books related to this part of history。
Barb
，
I know little about World War II activity in the Pacific by the Japanese and also didn’t realize how many European Jewish people found their way to China when no other country would accept them。 This historical novel is also a love story intertwined with the Japanese occupation of Shanghai， China for the five years of the war。 I found it a great story and very interesting。
Harley
，
This novel， set in Shanghai during World War II， tells the story of two people who fall in love。 One is a young Chinese woman and the other is a Jewish refugee from Germany。 Their relationship must not only overcome language and cultural differences but also the challenges of living during the time of the Japanese occupation of Shanghai。I recommend the novel to anyone who loves historical novels。
Laralee
，
Where are the rest of the pages？I was so intrigued by a period of history that I had not read about and thoroughly enjoyed the book until the end。 I felt cheated out of more development of the story。 The ending was rushed and it felt incomplete。 There must be more pages to this book lost somewhere and I would like to read them。
David Parker
，
Shanghaied in ShanghaiStories of the survivors are often unbelievable because against all odds they are the ones that beat them and tell their story。 🥲
John Nettnin
，
CaptivatingThe author keeps you interested from the beginning til the end。 Well written and I couldn’t put it down at times。
Eles Jackson
，
I had no emotional connection to this book。 There was a lot of telling and not showing。 I wasn't convinced that Aiyui and Ernest were in love。 There was not enough chemistry shown between the two to have me believe they cared about each other as much as the author told us they did。 Because of that， I had a hard time with reading this and wanted it to end。 I had no emotional connection to this book。 There was a lot of telling and not showing。 I wasn't convinced that Aiyui and Ernest were in love。 There was not enough chemistry shown between the two to have me believe they cared about each other as much as the author told us they did。 Because of that， I had a hard time with reading this and wanted it to end。 。。。more
Caroline F。 Welkley
，
A Story Of Reverse DirectionsI gave this read five stars because of the author's masterful ability to weave a complex story in such a way that the reader does not feel manipulated but at one with the characters in the bumpercar-like journey to the logical ones directional ending。 The story has appeal for those of us who appreciate historical context worn by unfamiliar character types who surmount and then cave in unexpected ways。 A Story Of Reverse DirectionsI gave this read five stars because of the author's masterful ability to weave a complex story in such a way that the reader does not feel manipulated but at one with the characters in the bumpercar-like journey to the logical ones directional ending。 The story has appeal for those of us who appreciate historical context worn by unfamiliar character types who surmount and then cave in unexpected ways。 。。。more
Mary
，
The Last Rose of Shanghai was everything I hoped it would be and more。 I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley， and had only briefly skimmed the summary prior to picking it up。 I’m a huge fan of WW2-era historical fiction with strong female protagonists。 This book was exactly that。 While I’ve read much about the western front of the war （Europe）， I had no exposure as to how it impacted refugees who fled to the east， or the places and people who lived further east than Eastern Europe。 I als The Last Rose of Shanghai was everything I hoped it would be and more。 I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley， and had only briefly skimmed the summary prior to picking it up。 I’m a huge fan of WW2-era historical fiction with strong female protagonists。 This book was exactly that。 While I’ve read much about the western front of the war （Europe）， I had no exposure as to how it impacted refugees who fled to the east， or the places and people who lived further east than Eastern Europe。 I also had no idea that German Jews were able to find refuge in Shanghai and across other eastern ports。 This story tells a love story that spans nearly forty years。 It begins in the war， and has a satisfying ending。 Despite the extreme hardships that the characters face—together and separately—love lives on。 The detail in this book about wartime in Shanghai was incredible。 Horrifying， enlightening， sickening， and unbelievably real。 The characters were well developed， and their relationships were just as complicated and messy as relationships are in real life。 This was the first novel I’ve read by Weina Dai Randel， and it definitely won’t be the last。 She writes with the same detail and passion for the story she’s telling as Martha Hall Kelly， Rachel Kadish， and Kristin Harmel。 Highly recommend 。。。more
Carol Mauro
，
Jewish refugees in Shanghai WWIIEarnest and his sister， Marion are Jewish refugees from Germany who seek a new life in Shanghai。 Aiyi， a night club owner hires Earnest as a jazz pianist。 They fall in love。 However， Aiyi is promised to Cheng。 Her older brother is in charge with a wife who has bound feet and 6 kids。 There are a lot of characters including the Japanese maniacal General who shoots first and never asks questions。 Most of the characters seem shallow and the story seems unrealistic， so Jewish refugees in Shanghai WWIIEarnest and his sister， Marion are Jewish refugees from Germany who seek a new life in Shanghai。 Aiyi， a night club owner hires Earnest as a jazz pianist。 They fall in love。 However， Aiyi is promised to Cheng。 Her older brother is in charge with a wife who has bound feet and 6 kids。 There are a lot of characters including the Japanese maniacal General who shoots first and never asks questions。 Most of the characters seem shallow and the story seems unrealistic， soapy or predictable。 It drags on and on。。。as did the war。 。。。more
Mychael O'Brien
，
An Absolute Must ReadA forbidden love and a lost child。 The love story of a Chinese woman and a Jewish refugee， set in World War II。 The story is told from both of their perspectives， in alternating chapters。 The ending will shock and thrill you。
Lauren Rochester
，
“There is a kind of love that strikes like a thunderbolt; it blinds you， yet opens your eyes to see the world anew。” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️This is the tale of two strangers who meet in mid-war Shanghai in 1940。 It seems like a common romance tale from the fact these two strangers keep meeting， and eventually become lovers， but this book is so much more than that。 Romance， heartbreak， death， loss of many kinds and long-lost relatives finding each other all play a part in this magnificent read！ It was a book “There is a kind of love that strikes like a thunderbolt; it blinds you， yet opens your eyes to see the world anew。” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️This is the tale of two strangers who meet in mid-war Shanghai in 1940。 It seems like a common romance tale from the fact these two strangers keep meeting， and eventually become lovers， but this book is so much more than that。 Romance， heartbreak， death， loss of many kinds and long-lost relatives finding each other all play a part in this magnificent read！ It was a book that I just couldn’t put down， right from the start。 The wave of emotions this book will make you feel is impressive， I genuinely felt real concern for characters at some points！ Ernest was definitely my favourite character， he would have done anything for his family and was so loveable！ I really recommend this book for if you’re looking for something new。 Something with a little bit of history， romance， and soul-searching all wrapped up in one magnificent work of fiction！Thank you to Lake Union Publishing， Weina Dai Randel and NetGalley for providing me with a copy！Pub date: AVAILABLE NOW！！Review also available on Instagram now！ 。。。more
Maria
，
Love in the time of warI stayed up too late too many nights to see if the love story of Ernest and Aiyi endures。This story is told in two voices - Aiyi's and Ernest's - and in two different eras - WWII and 1980's。 A documentary is being planned about Jewish refugees in Shanghai during WWII in general， and about Ernest in particular。 The documentarian is interviewing Aiyi， the person who knew Ernest best during his Shanghai years。This is a story of passion and of pain。 It is a story of wealth and Love in the time of warI stayed up too late too many nights to see if the love story of Ernest and Aiyi endures。This story is told in two voices - Aiyi's and Ernest's - and in two different eras - WWII and 1980's。 A documentary is being planned about Jewish refugees in Shanghai during WWII in general， and about Ernest in particular。 The documentarian is interviewing Aiyi， the person who knew Ernest best during his Shanghai years。This is a story of passion and of pain。 It is a story of wealth and opulence before war and of poverty and degradation during the war。 Most of all， it is a story about hope。 。。。more
Melanie
，
I really enjoyed this book - it is a take on WW2 that I had not considered before and mixes the love story with a large helping of history。 I enjoyed the story and found some plots predictable and some surprising。 I mostly liked that it kept me thinking of the characters and their experiences after and between readings。 I felt a sense of selfishness and privilege that I think is good to be reminded of from time-to-time。 I enjoyed the writing style and would recommend to anyone looking for an eas I really enjoyed this book - it is a take on WW2 that I had not considered before and mixes the love story with a large helping of history。 I enjoyed the story and found some plots predictable and some surprising。 I mostly liked that it kept me thinking of the characters and their experiences after and between readings。 I felt a sense of selfishness and privilege that I think is good to be reminded of from time-to-time。 I enjoyed the writing style and would recommend to anyone looking for an easy but thoughtful love story。 。。。more
Sarah
，
3。5
Elaine
，
I didn't see it coming but the ending was wonderful！I loved the bouncing back of POVs from both characters。 It made the story entrancing as you always wanted to know what happened next， what each person felt， what the motive of their actions were。 You couldn't help but cheer for their championships and mourn for their tragic losses。 It was great read from end to end。 Highly recommended！ I didn't see it coming but the ending was wonderful！I loved the bouncing back of POVs from both characters。 It made the story entrancing as you always wanted to know what happened next， what each person felt， what the motive of their actions were。 You couldn't help but cheer for their championships and mourn for their tragic losses。 It was great read from end to end。 Highly recommended！ 。。。more
Charla Wilson
，
This story takes place in Shanghai during WWII。 I have read many books set during WWII， but this is the first I have read about the war in Shanghai。 Many Jewish people fled to Shanghai to get away from the cruelty of the Nazis。 However， Japan took over Shanghai and treated the Chinese and Jewish people horribly。 The story follows Ernest， a Jewish refugee and a beautiful Chinese heiress and their struggle to survive。 It is an action packed， harrowing story that I found hard to put down。
George McNaughton
，
A story if two halves that doesn’t quite joinThe first half of the story is detailed and exciting but somehow the two halves don’t join seamlessly and there are too many gaps。
Jan Berry
，
This was a GoodReads Giveaway。 I would have given it 3 1/2 stars。 It was a good story but predictable。 The two main characters were both likable as strong， determined， smart people - but a millionaire by 20？ I found their rise to wealth - first as a scandalous teenager without the support of her wealthy family， then his rapid rise to prosperity in times of rationing and military rule， and then from rags to riches after the war - a bit unlikely， certainly not well-explained。 Opening a Chinese foo This was a GoodReads Giveaway。 I would have given it 3 1/2 stars。 It was a good story but predictable。 The two main characters were both likable as strong， determined， smart people - but a millionaire by 20？ I found their rise to wealth - first as a scandalous teenager without the support of her wealthy family， then his rapid rise to prosperity in times of rationing and military rule， and then from rags to riches after the war - a bit unlikely， certainly not well-explained。 Opening a Chinese food restaurant in Canada can lead to a billion-dollar business？？ Still， all criticisms aside， I read it all the way through and I enjoyed it even though it required a little suspension of disbelief 。。。more
Donna Thomas
，
A haunting story centering around the Jewish refugees and the defenseless Chinese in Shanghai during World War II。 I now have a new appreciation and deep sadness for the inconceivable abuses to both these people groups during the Japanese occupation of mainland China。
Arielle
，
The Last Rose of Shanghai looks at the Japanese occupation during WWII。 I loved the first third part of the story and its dual timeline shifting between the 1940s and 1980。 The writing， though uneven at times， the cast of characters， the setting and the storyline were gripping， eventful and fast-paced。Then the book felt a little flat to me。 A great majority of the story told the reader what happened rather than showing， making it a little dull and unvaried。 I could not find myself immersed in th The Last Rose of Shanghai looks at the Japanese occupation during WWII。 I loved the first third part of the story and its dual timeline shifting between the 1940s and 1980。 The writing， though uneven at times， the cast of characters， the setting and the storyline were gripping， eventful and fast-paced。Then the book felt a little flat to me。 A great majority of the story told the reader what happened rather than showing， making it a little dull and unvaried。 I could not find myself immersed in the story as I wished I could。 The characters and their relationships with one another were also off-putting。 Both Aiyi and her family， coming from a wealthy background， and Ernest and his sister， Jewish refugees， constantly made selfish and poor decisions。 The way the characters came back and forth in their decisions felt unnatural and frustrating。Additionally， there were a lot of pure luck scenarios or coincidences happening throughout the book， which felt less credible and authentic， and a lot of repetition when it came to the characters' descriptions and main qualities。 Lastly， the ending came extremely abruptly， with its 1980 premise being unfortunately not particularly believable。The Last Rose of Shanghai left me pleased to gain knowledge of the events that shaped Shanghai in the 1940s。 I only wished the book focused less on the romance between the two main characters and more on the Shanghai developments and life changes lived by the locals， the Jewish immigrants， and the American， British and Australian allies。*I would like to thank NetGalley for giving me a free copy in exchange for my honest review。 。。。more
Kathleen Jansen
，
A part of history I didn't know about。This is a well written book about how life is always changing and how love will win out even in the worst of times 。 I never knew about the Jewish refugees in Singapore so the historical events were very interesting。 I would recommend this book。 A part of history I didn't know about。This is a well written book about how life is always changing and how love will win out even in the worst of times 。 I never knew about the Jewish refugees in Singapore so the historical events were very interesting。 I would recommend this book。 。。。more
Pam Porell
，
Wonderful story about the German Jewish refugees in Shanghai during WWII。 So sad to see the struggles of these people who were really without a home。 They had to flee the Germans but were despised by the Chinese and then imprisoned by the Japanese occupiers。 Lots of tensions and still a love story to hold onto。
Braekeveldt
，
A very nice novel following one of the 18，000 German Jewish refugees that were accepted in Shangai when the world closed their doors to all。 The harsh living conditions they underwent and their unknown story。Worthwhile reading if you like a good story。
Goodread_ton
，
About 1/4 of the way into this book I read “She was the magnet to his thunderbolt， the starburst to his gloominess， and the music to his silence， …”And this was the last sentence I read， the last sentence I was going to read。I was hoping for more historical background on the period covered in this book。 But what I got was a pretty poor Romance novel。
ShanShan Guo
，