Dreams of Joy: A Novel (Shanghai Girls)

Dreams of Joy didn't get me as emotionally involved as "Shanghai Girls", but for what it lacks in the characterization department, it makes up in giving the reader a rarely-seen inside look at the People's Republic of China. The advantage Dreams of Joy has over a history book, is that it presents these facts in an interesting, seamless, relevant way by weaving them into the story. If you're mainly seeking a powerful emotional ride, you might want to pass this book up, but if you want to "escape" and experience communist China, Dreams of Joy is a wonderful choice!

A few fun New China facts:
- Sparrows, who were believed to eat crop seeds, almost went extinct thanks to an extermination campaign.
- This led to locust overpopulation, which along with poor government decisions, destroyed crops.
- A great famine ravished and killed millions, mainly in the countryside.
- Bras were banned as a Western decadence.
- Travel permits were required just to visit another town.

I really enjoy reading Lisa See books and this one did not disappoint. As with all of her books, it was very well written with beautiful descriptions. It was a lovely story with colorful characters telling a piece of history. I would highly recommend it.

After reading Shanghai girls, I looked forward to reading the sequel, Dreams of Joy. I was not disappointed! In fact, I couldn't put it down. The story of the two "Dream Girl" sisters was mesmerizing. The book was written as if Lisa had actually experienced the lives described in the narrative. When I finished the book, I wanted to read more about Joy the daughter of both the sisters, but liked the poignant ending.

I had to buy this book immediately after reading Shanghai Girls as I had become so involved with the characters and their plight. I wasn't disappointed. See develops her characters so well that they are very real to the reader. The historical information is also an important part of the novel. Learned a great deal about China during that era by reading this novel

Does this woman ever write a bad book? From start to finish of every novel she's written, I've been riveted by every word Lisa See has put down. Her books are always meticulously researched, and the richness of detail that is put into portraying both her characters and their relationships to one another is simply fantastic.

I LOVE Historical Fiction and "Dreams of Joy" is no exception. I recommend reading the preceding novel, "Shanghai Girls" first, but it is not totally necessary. I was enthralled with these women's lives and China's historical struggle. Beautifully written, amazing descriptions, and extremely realistic characters! Love, love, love this pair!

The book arrived in a timely fashion. I had read the previous book in the series a number of years ago and it took me a
few chapters of reading to remember what had taken place in the first book in the series 'Shanghai Girls' and then the
story began to really interest me.

Dreams of Joy was a really detailed amazing read. It's book 2 in this series, and it's a difficult book to read once Joy marries and moves to the countryside and experiences many of the difficulties that her Aunt May and Pearl experienced so many years ago. Well written novel that's difficult to put down, yet painful at times to read.

This book, the continuation of Shanghai Girls - both will be my favorites for a long time. Listening to the book added a lot of color and realism. I was actually enchanted by Joy and her mother Pearl.

I returned from China after a 6 week teaching/touring adventure, and this book was a glimpse into life as it was. Having toured Shanghai, as well as many of the small villages on bike and foot, and seeing many of the old buildings juxtaposed with the new, as well as the people who are living in the new China and those continuing to live in the old, the book gave me an insight into China. Lisa See, through her writing, makes you feel as if you are there, as if the characters are your own family. You feel their distress, their happiness, understand their mistakes, want to stop them, talk to them. It was a book I was sad to see finish.

Another winner by Ms. See. Aside from being an excellent writer technically, the reality of the situations hits home. I would advise reading Shanghai Girls first as this is a sequel. The hardships that this family endures is heartbreaking and you find yourself hoping they will champion on through.

While learning much about China's history, I also found myself wrapped up in a beautiful story of love, loss, forgiveness, and redemption. As a mother and a daughter, I related to Pearl, the main character, and didn't want the story to end. Hoping there will be more to Pearl's story.

Not as enthralling as the first See novel of this series, however, it does portray and accurate view of China from a novelist's viewpoint and based on an American's perception from visiting and reading much about China.

Absolutely spellbinding regarding Joy's erroneous belief that her life would be better in Maoist China than with her family in LA. A must read! After this novel, the reader will be spoiled and not want to read
anything more but Lisa See. Fabulous!
Rochelle L Holt
[...]

Dreams of Joy continues the story begun in Shanghai Girls as Joy finds herself in communist China searching for her father with her aunt and mother searching for her. Knowing little of the Chinese culture, particularly during that time period, I appreciated the vivid images See creates in telling the story.

Dreams of Joy continues the story begun in Shanghai Girls as Joy finds herself in communist China searching for her father with her aunt and mother searching for her. Knowing little of the Chinese culture, particularly during that time period, I appreciated the vivid images See creates in telling the story.

I enjoyed the history and the characters in both this book and the earlier Shanghai Girls, but the characters were more true to life in Shanghai Girls. The premise of Dreams of Joy was a bit more far-fetched and there were too many coincidences.

For me, there is just "something" about Asian writing. I love the perspectives, the style, the sensibility, and the stories. I've read Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Viet books. Lisa See's books are full of history, love, vengance, success, happiness, loyalty, envy, and all of the things that we love and drive us crazy. I've read a few of her stuff and it's adictive as well as patient. She is a patient writer and excellent story teller.

This book takes us to China during the Cultural Revolution. I learned a lot about that time in the countryside as well as Shanghai.
The characters we follow from the earlier books in this excellent series. Fast reading as I didn't want to put it down.

Shanghai Girls and its continuation Dreams of Joy are truly a great saga about the hardships made by Chinese sisters and their families in China and the United States. Great way to learn about the Chinese immigrant experience while enjoying an inspiring story.

My sole complaint with the previous volume of Lisa See's, "Shanghai Girls" was the cliffhanger ending. She more than delivers with this next installment of May, Pearl and Joy's story, which takes us to and through Mao's Great Leap Forward, and the famine that kills millions. Despite Jasper Becker's books (and others) this horrible era in Chinese history has not had much attention tho with this book hopefully that will change. Bravura story telling with historical accuracy. Hoping this is a trilogy!

Wow, we really liked this story. It really captures your attention and keeps it. We listened while on a trip and we barely noticed the long boring road as we were so engrossed in the story. I would highly recommend this Audiotape.

You MUST read Shanghai Girls to truly appreciate this novel (though not necessary). Lisa See once again brings in-depth research to a warm, wonderfully told story of women (and men) living through key moments in China's history.

China tales are popular these days. Many years ago, Pearl S Buck was the one to read - still is if you haven't done so. Amy Tan describes migrant lives. But Lisa See is in a class of her own. With her, you 'see' China, warts and all. This particular story finishes with the debacle that ended one of Chairman Mao's wildest dreams. The characters are clearly drawn, the continuity from the Shanghai Girls is well handled. A great read.

This book was an exciting read. It is unfortunate that its predecessor was not. The plot is well paced and the characters thought out. Historically, it is a fairly accurate representation of the time period. Very much enjoyed the look at mother daughter relationships through generations. It is my hope that the quality of ms see's books become more consistent after this. She has amazing potential as a writer to grasp the reader when she does not focus too much on events as in shanghai girls.

Conclusion

Well worth the read!

I really like Lisa See's writing style. She describes people, locations, an story where you can have a visual scene as she goes along. The reader gets to know the character's well. In her first book, we got to know about the country they were living in, and the grandparent's of Joy, and now we are learning about Joy's biological father. An interesting read.

Lisa See knows how to write, capture your attention, and get you deeply caring for the characters - their struggles, triumphs, love of family and the love/fear relationship they have with their homeland. Better than Shanghai Girls, this sequel delves deep into the lifestyles and politics of China providing a new awareness and insight into the Chinese culture. When I finished Shanghai Girls, I immediately searched and downloaded Dreams of Joy. Absorbing, insightful, and completely addictive, I couldn't put it down. I felt as though I was on the journey with the characters, so deftly crafted and portrayed. I highly recommend this book to everyone, although to get the full impact of this novel Shanghai Girls is a must-read first - also excellent.

The story offers a fictional approach to an interesting bit of Chinese history. You are able to imagine the characters, you'll feel China as it was, and you'll marvel at the integrity of family ties.

I DON'T LIKE SEQUELS, BUT IN THIS CASE, SHANGHAI GIRLS NEEDED A BETTER ENDING. THIS BOOK PROVIDED THAT. YOU NEED TO READ BOTH BOOKS IN ORDER TO GET THE COMPLETE STORY. IT WAS A REALLY GOOD STORY ABOUT 2 SISTERS AND THEIR LOVE FOR EACH OTHER.

A well-written story about a mother's unstinting search for her daughter in Communist China describing the horrendous circumstances of the regime. The reader becomes emotionally swept into the lives of the charactors.

This was an excellent sequel to Shanghai Girls. There was a lot of history included in the story which I had never heard of. There were parts that tore at my heart, such cruelty to the peasants. Lisa See has a beautiful way of bringing her characters to life.

This Author is excellent. I have read other books by Ms.See and they all are great. The history of her country is portrayed so distinctly, it seems as you are right there in the middle of this turmoil.