Every once in a while you find an author out of nowhere and they immediately become a must-read for you. I was casually looking for books on Libby (a library app where you can borrow ebooks and audiobooks) and The Moon in the Palace by Weina Dei Randel just jumped out at me. I ended up reading the duology in only 3 days, I could not put it down. So when a dear follower let me know that another of her books was available on Kindle Unlimited, I knew I had to read it. And it did not disappoint. Today’s Book Bite is all about The Last Rose of Shanghai!
The Last Rose of Shanghai, Weina Dei Randel
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.
Why You Should Read This…
If you are new to the blog, you may not know that I largely avoid fiction based around the World Wars, particularly the Second World War. However, I knew that I loved the author’s writing style and decided that I would download it.
I loved that The Last Rose of Shanghai does not depend on “shorthand” like so many WWII books set in Europe do. (Say “occupied Paris in World War II” and many readers will instantly have a picture in their head.) Randel builds the world beautifully and adds layer upon layer. Not only do we get to know Shanghai, but we also get to know Aiyi and Ernest’s communities.
I also love that Aiyi and Ernest are complex characters. At times you will be 100% behind them and at others you will question their choices; these are very real protagonists. (Of course that does make it all the difficult to read at some points.) These characters are why I could not put this novel down. My only tiny qualm is that there are a few supporting characters that I would love to read more of.
And if it is a factor for you, this book was a 2022 nominee in the Historical Fiction category of the Goodreads awards!
Is The Last Rose of Shanghai on your to-read list?
Cheers,
The Historian
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