Dreams of Joy

A Novel

By: Lisa See

Narrated by: Janet Song

Length: 15 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

In her beloved New York Times bestsellers Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Peony in Love, and, most recently, Shanghai Girls, Lisa See has brilliantly illuminated the potent bonds of mother love, romantic love, and love of country. Now, in her most powerful novel yet, she returns to these timeless themes, continuing the story of sisters Pearl and May from Shanghai Girls, and Pearl’s strong-willed nineteen-year-old daughter, Joy.

Reeling from newly uncovered family secrets, and anger at her mother and aunt for keeping them from her, 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.

Acclaimed for her richly drawn characters and vivid storytelling, Lisa See once again renders a family challenged by tragedy and time, yet ultimately united by the resilience of love.

©2011 Lisa See (P)2011 Random House

Critic reviews

“See’s emotional themes are powerful... the bonds of sisterhood [and] the psychological journey of becoming an American.” (The Washington Post)

“A broadly sweeping tale.... The detail is thoughtful and intricate.” (The New York Times)

“[See evokes] a time and place with tantalizing detail.” (San Francisco Chronicle)

Great book

Great to the most end. You dint if it ends happily it not till the last moment. Live story in harsh conditions of china. Breathtaking. Looking for other books from Lisa See

Wonderful sequel..

I enjoyed "Shanghai Girls" but this sequel was above and beyond my expectations.
The entire story was riveting! Lisa See did some wonderful background work about life
during the Cultural Revolution in China and particularly in the countryside. This is her
best to date and I've read them all.

Excellent, a season of Ferrante & See

This series is as engaging and haunting as the Neopolitan Series by Elena Ferrante. The depth of womanly existence, fully rendered in language and imagery. See is a fine storyteller with a voice as strong as Octavia Butler. See is as master at the height of her craft.

A WINNING STORY

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. I really like Lisa See as an author and I appreciate the story she tells in this book.

What other book might you compare Dreams of Joy to and why?

Any other book by Lisa See

What does Janet Song bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She made me feel as if I was part of the story.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No extreme reaction....just interested in the story. Realize it is fiction --- but many of the things that happened were truly part of the culture at that time.

Any additional comments?

I would read or listen to any book written by Lisa See

amazing book

loved it, incredible story, so many emotions. this is the 2nd book to Shanghai girls which I loved but I think this one was even better.

Mother love in a time of famine

This is a story of love in all of its forms. It is set against the backdrop of 1959 Communist China. Besides a wonderful story with honest and authentic characters, this novel describes the China I heard about as a child. The one with all the starving children. Beautiful and sad.

Some must learn the hard way.

For those who are parents, Joy is “that kid” we all dread. I almost quit on the book a couple of times because of her character just being so blind to reality but I’m glad I stuck with it. This turned out to be quite entertaining, horrifying at times but most definitely an overall great read.

Captivating and well worth a credit

Where does Dreams of Joy rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

If you have listened to the first book "Shanghai Girls" and if you liked that book, this is the sequel. In my opinion, the sequel is even better than Shanghai Girls. You will enter a world that you probably have heard of, but not really "met" in depth, such as Lisa See will introduce you too. This book enrobes part history of PROC, USA and most importantly brings you closer to understand what happens to humans when we are not allowed to be human. The book is very well researched, well written and I could not put my Ipod down! It is not predictable (whohoo)!!

What did you like best about this story?

The human aspect, the descriptions of the different characters and that is was not predictable!

Which scene was your favorite?

When Joy convinces the leader to let her send the package to her mom

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, it was - I got up this Saturday morning at 6:00 am , and I finished the remaining story at noon! What will I read next?

Any additional comments?

Excellent book, not light hearted, but not too academically hard that you can't follow the thoughts.

Harrowing and incredible

I was very simply completely unprepared for the journey this book took me on. After finishing Shanghai Girls, the first part of this story, I jumped directly into this book eagerly interested in finding out what happened to Pearl, Mei, and Joy. With mounting horror, I listened to the narrator's expert performance of the horrors of the famine and the Great Leap Forward, which I can unabashedly tell you is absolute nightmare fuel. Worth pursuing to the end though, as See holds your attention and the suspense until the very last moment. Highly recommended, just make sure you have someone you love to hold you tight as you pass through the story.

dreams of joy

another great lisa see book, looking forward to reading more of hers; narrator was terrific and love the sequel