The Last Rose of Shanghai

A Novel

De: Weina Dai Randel

Narrado por: Josh Bloomberg, Emily Woo Zeller

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.

©2021 Weina Dai Randel. (P)2021 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“[Emily Woo] Zeller delivers the chapters told from the perspective of Aiyi, whose privileged upbringing, beauty, and good business sense are not enough to protect her from the hardships of war. [Josh] Bloomberg performs the chapters focused on Ernest, a German-Jewish refugee who arrives in the city looking for a safe haven. Zeller's comfort with Asian languages and accents and Bloomberg's with European ones underscore Aiyi's and Ernest's divergent spheres. Together the narrators build on the couple's conflicted emotions as their relationship grows from being business associates to much more.” (AudioFile Magazine)

“Fans of sweeping, dramatic WWII epics that are rich in historical detail, such as Lisa See’s Shanghai Girls or Paullina Simons’s The Bronze Horseman will be enthralled.” (Booklist)

“Weina Dai Randel’s novel deserves a place of distinction among WWII fiction.” (Historical Novel Society)

Heartwrenching WWII history

The duo narrators, for Aiyi and Ernest, were so good!They truly brought the story to life. I like to learn about history and this book shines the light on Japan's occupation of China. The differences in culture and daily life were so interesting. Plus,the characters behaved like you would expect for young people in the midst of war and changing society. I loved the ending and look forward to reading more from this author.

A joy of relatable characters and story line

This is a story about the people of Shanghai and how their lives were impacted by World War 2. It was fascinating and frightening. Having read many books about the war’s impact on Europe, none paralleled life in the US quite like this one. It was sobering and at the same time a delightful read.

Good historical fiction and good narration by 2

This latest work by award winning 🥇 author based on the heyday of Shanghai during the partial colonialisation period of China and Shanghai gilded age. This book was offered as part of Audible daily deals at $3.95 or $4.95 few days ago. Fortunate that I didn’t buy it because I discovered later this title is also available as an audiobook in Kindle Unlimited membership in which I paid $4.99 for 2 months membership. Good to listen but not necessary to buy the book. You normally wouldn't relisten a novel after finishing it.

remarkable

A little slow in the beginning, but once it goes...it's hard to put down!

Mixed Race Romance

The great romance between a German refuge Jew and Chinese beauty of means and brains. It’s a good read although a bit trite. Happily at this time, it is not a full blown account of the horrific times under the Japanese occupation. I liked the reader for the female parts, but not the male characters.
Read it to find out if there is a happy ending.

The Last Rose of Shanghai--WOW!

Oh, my! What an amazing story! Weina Dai Randel is truly blessed with her ability to tell a story. And in this story, the author really shines! The storyline, the character development, the chapter playoffs (her, then him), the dramatic tension, the then & now interplay---All simply works masterfully.
And our Voice Actors--Emily Woo Zeller and Josh Bloomberg are perfect! The tenderness when tenderness is called for, feelings, moods, joy, despair, anger--Both bring Weina Dai Randel's story to Life!
I highly recommend this outstanding book and will be seeking other treasures by this author and these actors!

Hate the ending!!

AMAZING STORY LINE, dramatic and exhilarating. Didn’t like the back and forth drama of “ I want you, but we can’t be together” but I guess that happens. Poor Chung, so spoiled but wanted real love. Earnest’s character seemed like he would have been tired with all the short victories he had. Strange how familiar characters just disappeared in the story. The ending would have been better if she would have addressed her as mom. Idk it was weird.

a delightful read

better than I thought it would be. many twists and turns. heartbreaking and beautiful and hopefully

A story of determination

I loved this story. It has so many layers and great character development. I had never thought about WWII from this side and that impact. It’s a love story story that left my heart full and It had me at the edge of my seat.

Great WWII Love Story

The Last Rose of Shanghai by Weina Dai Randel provides an important perspective on WW II. I appreciated the historical plot and viewpoint of WW II in Japanese occupied Shanghai for refugee Jews and the Chinese. This novel did a good job showing the plight of the Chinese and how devastating life became for even the wealthy during Japanese occupation. The love story is predictable, the ending satisfying (wealthy girl meets poor refugee, they fall in love, there’s a big secret, etc) and some characters feel stereotypical and contrived. Historical fiction, WW II, China, those are all subjects that interest me so I enjoyed the book and realize I have a lot more to learn about WW II in China.