Lisa See Reading Order
5 series · 14 books
Lisa See is an American author known for blending historical fiction with deeply researched narratives about Asian and Asian-American experiences. Her work spans both memoirs exploring family heritage, like her acclaimed genealogical study On Gold Mountain, and sweeping novels set across Chinese history and culture, including bestsellers such as Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and Shanghai Girls. See's fiction often centers women's stories across generations, combining lyrical prose with meticulous historical detail to illuminate overlooked perspectives from Asia's past.
Are you Lisa See? Add a note for your readers →
Anthologies Series
Complete1 book (2013–2013)
May and Pearl Series
Complete2 books (2009–2011)
Lisa See's May and Pearl duology consists of two interconnected novels published between 2009 and 2011. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Shanghai Girls followed by Dreams of Joy. This complete two-book series explores the lives of two Chinese-American sisters across generations, blending historical fiction with family drama set against the backdrop of twentieth-century China and America.
Start with Shanghai Girls and read in order.
Start this series with Shanghai Girls
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Non-Fiction Series
Complete1 book (1995–1995)
Red Princess Series
Complete3 books (1997–2002)
Lisa See's Red Princess trilogy consists of three crime novels published between 1997 and 2002, following the investigations of Chinese and American detectives navigating corruption and mystery in contemporary China. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with Flower Net, followed by The Interior, and concluding with Dragon Bones. Each installment builds on the interconnected cases and character relationships established in previous books, making sequential reading essential for full comprehension of the narrative arc.
Start with Flower Net and read in order.
Start this series with Flower Net
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Standalone Novels Series
Ongoing7 books (2005–2026)
Lisa See's standalone novels series comprises seven books published between 2005 and 2026, with the collection still ongoing. Each novel stands independently and can be read in any order, though reading them in publication order beginning with Snow Flower and the Secret Fan allows you to experience the author's evolving narrative style. The series includes titles such as Peony in Love, China Dolls, The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane, The Island of Sea Women, Lady Tan's Circle of Women, and Daughters of the Sun and Moon.
Start with Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, the first of 7 books in the Standalone Novels series.
Start this series with Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | |
| 2 | |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
| 6 | |
| 7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has Lisa See written?
- Lisa See has written 14 books across 5 series. Their published works span from 1995 to 2026.
- What is the first book in each Lisa See series?
- Here are the first books in Lisa See's series: May and Pearl: Shanghai Girls; Red Princess: Flower Net.
- What order should I read Lisa See's books?
- We recommend reading Lisa See's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Is Lisa See still writing new books?
- Yes, Lisa See has 1 ongoing series: Standalone Novels.