#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “Astonishing . . . one of those hard-to-put-down-until-four-in-the morning books . . . a story with characters who enter a reader’s life, take up residence, and illuminate the myriad decisions and stories that make up human history.”—Los Angeles TimesIn her most powerful novel yet, acclaimed author Lisa See returns to the story of sisters Pearl and May from Shanghai … of sisters Pearl and May from Shanghai Girls, and Pearl’s strong-willed nineteen-year-old daughter, Joy. Reeling from newly uncovered family secrets, Joy runs away to Shanghai in early 1957 to find her birth father—the artist Z.G. Li, with whom both May and Pearl were once in love. Dazzled by him, and blinded by idealism and defiance, Joy throws herself into the New Society of Red China, heedless of the dangers in the Communist regime. Devastated by Joy’s flight and terrified for her safety, Pearl is determined to save her daughter, no matter the personal cost. From the crowded city to remote villages, Pearl confronts old demons and almost insurmountable challenges as she follows Joy, hoping for reconciliation. Yet even as Joy’s and Pearl’s separate journeys converge, one of the most tragic episodes in China’s history threatens their very lives.
BONUS: This edition contains a Dreams of Joy discussion guide.
Praise for Dreams of Joy
“[Lisa] See is a gifted historical novelist. . . . The real love story, the one that’s artfully shown, is between mother and daughter, and aunt and daughter, as both of the women who had a part in making Joy return to China come to her rescue. . . . [In Dreams of Joy,] there are no clear heroes or villains, just people who often take wrong turns to their own detriment but for the good of the story, leading to greater strength of character and more durable relationships.”—San Francisco Chronicle
“A heartwarming story of heroic love between a mother and daughter . . . No writer has better captured the voice and heart of Chinese culture.”—Bookreporter
“Once again, See’s research feels impeccable, and she has created an authentic, visually arresting world.”—The Washington Post
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I love this author and would read anything she writes. I learned a lot from her about Shanghai, the Chinese immigrants to America, and their struggles and the concept of paper sons from her.
Two compelling stories of a mother and daughter and a deep glimpse into Chinese culture and the world of courtesans. But 4.5 stars is more accurate.
Reading this book feels like a walk through the history of Modern China and its struggle between old world traditions and explosive growth and modernization.
It’s the story of two women who’s fates …
Can’t go wrong with this author!
4 stars for a story of tragedy, loss and family. This book starts with strong willed Joy rebelling against her mom and running away to China. It is 1957, the year before “The Great Leap Forward”, which becomes a catastrophic famine. Recent research suggests about 45 million people died during this man made famine.
Joy has found out that her real …
A continuation of the story of Shanghai Girls but set mainly in China. The story is about Pearl and Joy, her headstrong daughter. Beginning in the year 1957, Joy rebels, as most 19-year old girls do but she goes off the deep end by going “back” to China to help Mao rebuild the country for his people and to find the man she just found out is her …
Loved it. I love all Lisa See’s books. The characters are so real and their stories are so interesting. Not only are her books entertaining, but I feel like I’ve learned a lot about a different t culture, after reading one.
I may have liked it even more than Shainghi girls. This book has parts that will stay with you. Loved it.
Not every sequel is better than the first book in the series. This one is. I could not put it down! I learned so much about life in Shanghai and in a Communist collective/commune in the first decade of the People’s Republic of China. Loved the characters (even though one of them made furious) and the ending was way happier than I thought it was …
Insightful,
This is the sequel to See;s Shanghai Girls and is just as good. Two of my favorite books.
Dreams of Joy by Lisa See is a wonderful continuation from book 1 Shanghai Girls. It was definitely needed to wrap up the stories of Pearl, May, Joy, and Z.G. The book covers around 5 years I believe of Pearl and Joy’s life once they went to China. Lisa does an amazing job drawing you into the storyline. By the end of the story I had tears in my …
I thought it gave you a true picture of Mao-tse-tung’s
1949 China. There are two separate societies I.e.peasants in the countryside, and imperialists in Shanghai. Joy the main character in the book , is young and altruistic [hoping to make the world better]. Joy gets married, has a baby, her baby is a girl and girls are treated with disdain …
Anything written by Lisa See is worth reading.
This book allows us to follow the characters in Shanghai Girls. Let’s the reader know what propaganda does both in the US and China. It is sad to see the amount of bias in the US against Chinese. It opened my eyes to what went on in the 1950s in the Chinese population in Los Angeles.
Dreams of Joy was written several years after Shanghai Girls and it is a continuation of the family’s trials as Chinese Americans living during a period of unrest, prejudice, and change in both America and China. First I must say that Lisa See is an outstanding writer of historical fiction. Her stories are imagined with an uncanny historical …
Anything by Lisa See is SO worth reading. Her understanding of China, its culture, its people and its contributions is presented in a wonderful and informative way. See’s writing is beautiful and her characters are memorable. I felt myself gaining a better understanding and respect for the Chinese people and their traditions!
I ENJOY LISA SEE’S BOOKS.