"Shanghailanders" follows the lives of the beautiful, wealthy Yang family and the people surrounding them.
The structure of the book was unique with chapters unfolding backward in time, though I found myself trying to piece together events chronologically. Initially, it was hard to keep track of the characters’ names.
While the focus on characters surrounding the Yang family added depth to the narrative, I would’ve liked for more exploration of the relationship dynamics between Eko and Leo.
Juli Min's writing style is both accessible and enchanting, making this an enjoyable read.
I’m always looking for more contemporary fiction set in Asia/with Asian characters and “Shanghailanders" fits the bill.

The scandal was extremely satisfying, but the ending fell flat. I feel like this has the potential to be so gratifying especially because there is so much climax all throughout but then we get zero resolution. It’s all just unfinished stories that seem interwoven as the story is told- but never come together in the end.

Aside from the gigantic tease that this was, I did enjoy reading all the different perspectives. It was salacious and agonizing, each character had so much depth. I really felt like I was getting to know this diverse cast and I was invested in their success.

Shanghailanders / Julie Min. Tells the story of a family living in Shanghai from the different points of view of mother, father, and 3 daughters. Includes chapters also from the point of view of various characters which touch their lives, including a nanny and a driver. I enjoyed the different stories but was not fond of the fact that it was told in backwards chronological order.

It’s hard to believe this is a debut novel. It’s complicated, chockful of interesting characters, and is laid out backward in time. It begins in 2040 (I’ll be 80 then!) and follows a cosmopolitan Shanghai family—a wealthy real estate investor, his Japanese-French wife, and their three daughters.

It took me a while to have sympathy with these characters. They’re rich and entitled, with attitudes that made them a bit disagreeable to me. But, I stayed with it and found their origin stories fascinating.

Themes focus on family—the unbreakable ties and sometimes unwanted bonds of families, the unfairness that’s often there, the irritation and joy that sisters, parents, and children inevitably bring to each other, and the aching complexity of these relationships.
I’m grateful to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy.

Juli Min’s debut novel SHANGHAILANDERS centers on the life of one family, husband, wife, and three daughters, as told from multiple perspectives, including a grandmother, nanny, and driver.

This device works well enough, but I can’t say the same for framing the story backwards, 2040-2014. I wanted to like this structure but felt the story lost steam as the time reversed. Maybe Min’s goal was to increase understanding for how and why each character wound up as they were in 2040, as the book began. If so, there was insufficient surprise to justify the reverse order.

Maybe another goal was a philosophical look at time; that made for some interesting passages but could not carry the novel.

I was tempted to give the book 3 stars, but wound up giving 4 stars because of the strong writing, the Shanghai and beyond setting, and the in-depth, non-stereotyped characterization, especially the dynamics between the three sisters. But I was more interested in what happens post-2040 and hope Min’s next novel goes forward, not backward in time. She’s a good writer.

With thanks to NetGalley and Spiegel and Grau publishers for an early copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

Story of a rich Asian family - the Chinese father Leo, Japanese-French mother Eko and their
daughters Yumi, Yoko and Kiko. As the story travels back and forth in time, 2040 to 2014,
the impact of the past on their current lives is laid as the reader learns more about each family
member.
#Shanghailanders #NetGalley

Juli Min's stunning debut novel, "Shanghailanders," is a masterful exploration of the complexities of family, identity, and the ever-evolving landscape of modern Shanghai. Told through a unique reverse chronological structure, the novel follows the Yang family from 2040 to 2014, unraveling their secrets, losses, and the intricacies of their relationships.

At the heart of the story is Eko Yang, a "Shanghailander" whose connection to the city ebbs and flows over time. Min deftly navigates Eko's shifting sense of identity as she grapples with her Chinese, Japanese, and French heritage, as well as her role as a mother to three daughters, each with their own struggles and aspirations. The strained relationship between Yumi and Yoko, and Kiko's fascination with American culture and fame, add depth and nuance to the family dynamics.

One of the novel's greatest strengths is Min's ability to capture the essence of Shanghai, a city that perpetually rises, falls, and emerges from the ashes. The author's intimate knowledge of the city shines through in her vivid descriptions of its landmarks, its rapidly changing skyline, and the interplay between tradition and modernity. Min's prose is lyrical and haunting, evoking a sense of nostalgia and longing that permeates the narrative.

Another compelling aspect of "Shanghailanders" is its exploration of class structure in Shanghai. Min skillfully portrays the stark contrasts between the wealthy elite and the working class, highlighting the inequalities and the struggles of those trying to navigate the city's complex social hierarchy. The novel's diverse cast of characters, from the ambitious young woman from Anhui to the aging train attendant, adds richness and authenticity to the narrative.

As the story unfolds in reverse, Min masterfully reveals the secrets and motivations that have shaped the Yang family's lives. The novel's structure is a testament to the author's skill, as each chapter peels back another layer of the family's history, leaving readers eager to discover the origins of their present-day dynamics.

"Shanghailanders" is a remarkable debut that showcases Juli Min's talent as a storyteller and her deep understanding of the human condition. Her ability to craft complex, multi-dimensional characters and to evoke a sense of place is reminiscent of acclaimed authors such as Jhumpa Lahiri and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. This novel is a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary Chinese literature, family sagas, or the ever-changing face of modern Shanghai.

In conclusion, "Shanghailanders" is a captivating and emotionally resonant novel that announces Juli Min as a powerful new voice in contemporary fiction. With its unique structure, vivid prose, and profound insights into family, identity, and the city of Shanghai, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers and cement Min's place among the most promising writers of her generation.

I found this novel a bit discombobulating as I couldn't quite figure out where it wanted to take me. For one, it starts off in the future and works its way backwards and I wasn't sure what to make of the author's depiction of a future that is not that far off. The family at the center of this story consists of a mother, father, and three beautiful daughters. They live in tremendous privilege, and we get a glimpse into the lives of some of the other people who surround the family members. We learn about the complexities of the family members, both individually and in relation to one another. Beyond that, I didn't get too much out of this.

Min’s prose is precise, capturing the nuances of each character’s journey. While the pacing occasionally falters, the novel remains an intriguing exploration of Shanghai’s history and its impact on those who call it home.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

What first attracted to me to reading this book is its beautiful cover and the title. I am always interested in reading more books set in China.

That being said, I did want to DNF this book a couple of times while I was reading. This book switches character POVs and timelines every chapter so it got quite confusing and complicated following the plot. That took me out of the story a few times and made me not want to read it. I pushed through and finished it because I liked the author’s writing style.

I took some time to gather my thoughts before writing this review. Overall I enjoyed the book and the author is clearly talented. However I did not like the backwards format of short story type chapters. I felt like I was left hanging and wanted to know more of each time period’s story. I couldn’t get into the characters or see a storyline as a result of this.
The strong writing of the author is obvious and I look forward to reading future titles from her.

Shanghailanders tells the story of the wealthy and cosmopolitan Yang family – Leo and Eko and their three daughters, Yumi, Yoko, and Kiko. The novel begins in 2040 and tells the family’s story in reverse going back to 2014, while weaving in memories of Leo and Eko’s childhood, as well as the stories of supporting characters in their lives such as their driver and nanny. Certainly the Yang family is not an average Shanghai family, with their wealth, ability to travel internationally, and access to expensive foreign education. But they experience many of the same transitions and emotions as any family – loneliness and alienation, boredom, marital conflict, ambition, sibling rivalry and jealousy.

This is a very unusual and well-constructed novel with many fine, overlapping layers, and writing that is beautifully and poetically simple. I felt like we had only scratched the surface of these complex characters, that showed multiple different versions of themselves to different audiences. There is a pervasive sense of isolation throughout the novel, as if the characters are never truly known to each other and are always a bit foreign to their country and each other. It is quite a feat for a debut novel and I look forward to reading more from Juli Min. Sincere thanks to Spiegel and Grau for the digital copy.

I found this book so enjoyable and yet so frustrating. Juli Min is fantastic at creating these flawed, interesting characters through introducing us to small slices of their lives. At the end of each chapter, I wanted to see what would happen next for the character in question (some characters I found more compelling than others, but their lives were so interlaced that I couldn't help but be curious about them all). However, Min tells this story in reverse chronological order. We begin in the future and work our way back through the years, learning how their lives came to be. I have mixed feelings about this structure, because while I did enjoy seeing the effect and cause (so to speak), I also felt distracted because I couldn't help but wonder what would happen in the future for the characters.

I think this would be an excellent book for a book club, as there's a lot of avenues for discussion. I may return to this book in the future and try reading it backwards, just to see how it compares. I'll certainly be keep an eye out for future publications from the author.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Spiegel & Grau for providing me an advanced copy for review.

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley. The story follows the members of the Yang family and their staff backwards in time from 2040 to 2014. The story is well-told, and I enjoyed reading about each of the characters and how their flaws and secrets contributed to the whole of the family. I had hoped that the ending of the book would bring all of the stories together into some kind of unifying theme or idea, but I didn't really get a sense of "the point" Min was trying to make. Nevertheless, I found the characters to be interesting and well-developed and really enjoyed the book overall..

Considering that I am not a fan of novels with a future setting, I still rate this book 3 stars. I acknowledge that it is professionally written structurally and editorially even though I had a hard time maintaining interest. The characters are fully developed, and the plot moves at a satisfying pace. The Shanghailanders will likely be a good read for many readers.

I was so drawn in to the characters of this book, I also love how they were seamlessly connected throughout. It was very readable yet thought provoking and intriguing. I am looking forward to reading more by Min!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Spiegel and Grau for an advance reader’s copy in exchange for my honest opinion and there are no spoilers in this review.

Juli Min’s debut novel, Shanghailanders, is told from a unique perspective by going backwards in time. In the novel, we are introduced to the Yang family and witness their lives as they experience loss and secrets. Min has carefully crafted a novel that shows how much she has to offer the literary world with her artfully crafted captivating words. It is a book I would recommend to anyone who is into debut authors.

A very solid, character-focused novel. It had a few pacing issues and was a little too slow for me at times, but it made up for it thanks to the great writing style. Literary fiction readers should like this.

I really like this. I liked the backwards nature of the timeline so you could see how the family at the beginning ended up the way they were. I also liked the interspersed narratives from outside the family to show some variety and an outsiders perspective of a family that you were on the inside of for most of the book. I liked the different relationships. Although there was a climactic scene I wouldn't say it was suspenseful or dramatic, More of a character novel.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book!

The concept of a story told backwards was intriguing to me at the beginning. The author’s descriptions are well crafted and the prose is strong. There is a lot of character potential but that’s were it fell flat, in my opinion. The characters aren’t very interesting to me. The main family is very wealthy, not just rich but "we buy Chanel lipstick at the airport" wealthy, and many of the problems they have are easily solved with money so there is very little stakes. The part where I found myself the most invested was the nanny telling her story near the end. A lot of the story is told in exposition and flashbacks. I also found that there are many loose ends that weren’t tied up. I think the backward travel is an interesting idea, but it just left me unsatisfied.