"A crucial reminder of past injustices, this poignant novel from Manning (The Paris Mystery) successfully fictionalizes the history of a forgotten yet profoundly significant photobook." — Library Journal
"Manning is at her best in these dramatic historical sections, while the alternating present-day narratives reinforce the legacy of generational trauma. Recommend to fans of Jennifer Robson, Natasha Lester, and Kate Morton." — Booklist
“[A] twisty WWII yarn about two imprisoned French women forced into slave labor at a German rayon factory…Manning’s multilayered story is both terrifying and triumphant. Her talent for a surprising twist makes this story a must for her fans.” — Publishers Weekly on The French Gift
“Kirsty Manning weaves together little-known threads of World War II history, family secrets, the past and the present into a page-turning, beautiful novel.” — Heather Morris, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, on The Song of the Jade Lily
“Detailed and evocative, a beautiful multi-layered story of friendship and love, family and loyalty. The smells, sounds and tastes of wartime Shanghai are richly re-imagined but it’s the courage of the young women—past and present—which makes this book unforgettable.” — Sally Hepworth, international bestselling author of The Secrets of Midwives, on The Song of the Jade Lily
“Manning renders Shanghai as a riot of flavors, sights, and sounds, its elegance clashing against gritty poverty in this exquisite window into the past.” — Booklist (starred review) on The Song of the Jade Lily
“[A] superb take on a lesser known aspect of WWII: some European Jews, fleeing from the Nazis, received asylum in Japanese-occupied Shanghai after being denied it elsewhere....With breadth and intelligence, this exquisite novel portrays a resilient community and a secret kept to protect another.” — Publishers Weekly on The Song of the Jade Lily