The Last Rose of Shanghai

The Last Rose of Shanghai, a poignant and sweeping love story by Weina Dai Randel, has been recognized as a Wall Street Journal Bestseller, a National Jewish Book Awards Finalist, and a Goodreads Choice Awards Best Historical Fiction Nominee. This vibrant and richly detailed narrative paints a captivating portrait of a little-known slice of World War II history.

Set in Japanese-occupied Shanghai, the story follows the intertwined lives of two individuals from vastly different backgrounds – Aiyi Shao, a young heiress and the owner of a once-popular Shanghai nightclub, and Ernest Reismann, a penniless Jewish refugee driven out of Germany, seeking shelter in a city wary of outsiders.

When Ernest's path crosses with Aiyi's, a profound connection is forged through their shared passion for music, specifically jazz. Aiyi's defiant decision to hire Ernest as the pianist at her club sparks a sensation, reviving the establishment's former glory. As their relationship deepens, Aiyi and Ernest realize that they share more than just a love for the artform that binds them – but the differences between their worlds seem insurmountable, particularly as Aiyi is already engaged to another man.

As the war escalates, Aiyi and Ernest find themselves torn apart, forced to make agonizing choices between love and survival. Against the backdrop of the electrifying jazz clubs and the impoverished streets of a city under siege, a chain of events is set in motion that will forever alter the course of their lives.

Acclaimed authors have praised The Last Rose of Shanghai as a must-read for historical fiction lovers. Kate Quinn, the New York Times bestselling author of The Rose Code and The Huntress, describes it as a "poignant, sweeping love story" that "paints a vibrant portrait of a little-known slice of World War II history." Pam Jenoff, the New York Times bestselling author of The Woman with the Blue Star, hails it as "a powerful story of the relationship between a Shanghai heiress and a Jewish refugee...one readers will never forget." Chanel Cleeton, the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, praises the novel for its "page-turning suspense and a poignant and unforgettable love story" that "wholly immerses the reader in this richly detailed and powerfully drawn story."

The Last Rose of Shanghai is a timeless, captivating tale of love, resilience, and the transformative power of music in the face of overwhelming odds.

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