MUDBOUND by Hillary Jordan

Laura Chappell is living the happy married life she never believed would happen to her. Single at the age of 31, everyone had given up on her ever getting married. But then she meets Henry, a 41 year old bachelor, marries and has two little girls. Laura is content with her life, living in Memphis close to her large and loving family. All that changes when Henry announces he has bought a cotton farm in the middle of Mississippi. Laura soon finds herself in a shack with no electricity or running water, living with her revoltingly racist father in law. Laura, of course is no stranger to racism but the brutality and poverty she sees in Mississippi shocks and horrifies her. Things soon escalate when her charming brother in law, Jamie, and the son of one of her husband's sharecroppers return from the world war II to work on the farm. Jamie has shed much of his racist beliefs during the war but the old South racists don't take kindly to a black man who knows his own worth. The ending is horrifying and hard to read but worth it. That the author managed to end the book on a note of hope made a little easier to take. Otherwise I might have been overcome with depression.

A good book with lots of great characters. No matter how hateful some of them are. Imagine being black and the only doctor in your town is a KKK member. Imagine knowing anyone can do anything they want to you for any reason and nothing will ever be done about it. That was the reality right here in America for a very long time. I won't go on about how much things have changed because I know there is racism everywhere. But things get better and I have hope.

Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

Shanghai 1937- Wars looms on the horizon but sisters Pearl and May Dragon take no notice. Posing for artists, going to clubs, and spending their father's money consumes all their time. Until the day their father announces the money is gone and he has sold them as brides to Chinese men in Los Angeles. Thus begins their journey to America. During this journey both sisters make what could be called the ultimate sacrifice. Once in America Pearl and May each try to build a new life for themselves, each in her own way but resentment and pain strains the bond between them. It takes tragedy to bring the sister back together.

The beginning of this book is pure fun with Pearl and May living the high life in Shanghai. As beautiful girl models May and Pearl are minor celebrities in Shanghai. They don't want to go to America or enter an arranged marriage. They are modern girls after all. Pearl is the smarter and more caring sister, May is the little sister, prettier and spoiled.

Pearl began to tire me with her constant sacrificing and by the middle of the book I almost disliked May with her selfish ways. When May reveals her biggest betrayal towards the end of the book I wanted to smack her. Again it is up to Pearl to try and make things right.

I know a book is a good when it elicits so much emotion from me but the end of this book felt me a little empty. Maybe because I can not imagine how Pearl will accomplish what she plans. But I learned a lot about Chinese culture and the horrible racism the Chinese endured in America. All in all a very good book. I'm looking forward to reading two of Lisa See's other books, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and Peony in Love.