Dreams of Joy: A Novel (Shanghai Girls Book 2)

Amazon.com Review Amazon Best Books of the Month, June 2011 : See's Dreams of Joy picks up the story of sisters Pearl and May where Shanghai Girls left off: on the night in 1957 when Pearl's daughter, Joy, discovers that May is her true mother. While Shanghai Girls followed the sisters from their time as models in the glittering "Paris of Asia" to their escape from the Japanese invasion and their new life in Los Angeles, its sequel sends Pearl back to Shanghai twenty years later in pursuit of Joy, whose flight to China is propelled by anger, idealism, and a desire to find her true father, Z.G., an artist who may be falling out of favor with the Party. Joy goes with him deep into the countryside to the Green Dragon commune, where they take part in the energetic inception of Maos Great Leap Forward. But their collective dream of a communist paradise is soon overshadowed by hunger as the governments bizarre agricultural mandates create a massive, relentless famine. Pearl, trapped in Shanghai as travel restrictions tighten, has little idea of the hardship Joy endures--until both women realize they must subvert a corrupt system in order to survive. The best estimates put the death toll from Chinas Great Leap Forward at 45 million, and See is unflinching in her portrayal of this horrific episode. In clean prose, she gives us a resounding story of human resilience, independent spirits, and the power of the love between mothers and daughters. --_Mari Malcolm_ Review Praise for Dreams of Joy : "See's many readers will be pleased to see the continued development of Pearl and May's relationship. Looks like another hit." -_Publisher's Weekly_, starred review Praise for Lisa Sees Shanghai Girls Sees emotional themes are powerful . . . the bonds of sisterhood [and] the psychological journey of becoming an American._The Washington Post_ If youre looking for one of those wonderful take me someplace exotic and unfamiliar books . . . you wont do better than Shanghai Girls ._The Dallas Morning News_ Readers truly know and care about these women within a few pages._The Miami Herald_ 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_ Splendid . . . The story delivers an emotional punch._More_ [A] moving historical novel._USA Today_ Compulsively readable._The Denver Post_ #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 Times In her most powerful novel yet, acclaimed author Lisa See returns to 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, 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 A continuation of "Shanghai Girls" finds a devastated Joy fleeing to China to search for her real father while her mother, Pearl, desperately pursues her, a dual quest marked by their encounters with the nation's intolerant Communist culture. In her most powerful novel yet, acclaimed author Lisa See returns to 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, 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. A Continuation Of Shanghai Girls Finds A Devastated Joy Fleeing To China To Search For Her Real Father While Her Mother, Pearl, Desperately Pursues Her, A Dual Quest Marked By Their Encounters With The Nation's Intolerant Communist Culture. 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 Pearls' Separate Journeys Converge, One Of The Most Tragic Episodes In China's History Threatens Their Very Lives. -- Dustjacket Flap. Lisa See. 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