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Review
'With each new novel, Lisa See gets better and better. Each work is more tightly woven, richer with information, its characters more memorable than the last. . . . And so it is with Dreams of Joy. . . . The scope of the novel is astonishing. . . . one of those hard-to-put-down-until-four-in-the-morning books -- but happily, the action is not all external. This is often the difference between forgettable and unforgettable books. . . . Stories of the lives of women in the People's Republic of See's novel are particularly deep and unforgettable. . . . one of the best depictions of the true spirit of motherhood you'll ever see in fiction. . . . Of course there are dangers in confusing fiction with history, but there is so much nuance and so little evidence of revisionism in Dreams of Joy. In the end, it's 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, 15 May 2011
'Once again, See's research feels impeccable, and she has created an authentic, visually arresting world' --Washington Post, 2 June 2011
'See's fans will be glad to read more about Pearl, May and Joy, and See's recurring themes of unbreakable family bonds and strong-willed women' --Portland Oregonian, 4 June 2011
'See is a gifted historical novelist. She illuminates a turning point in Chinese history when people still remembered the inequities of the feudal caste system, and in some cases embodied them. ...See is unflinching in her willingness to describe it all'
--San Francisco Chronicle, 5 June 2011
'Dreams of Joy is less about the radical political and economic change of Mao's rule and more about the enduring social framework, which is See's forte. As she shows, family and village continue to be the central organizing devices in Chinese culture, and even though the Communist regime exalts women in theory, the facts tell a different story' --Seattle Times, 4 June 2011
'See writes vividly about China's people, places and customs; her descriptions of various state banquets will bring on hunger pangs. That such feasts were served while millions starved is a sobering history lesson in the midst of this engrossing saga about two tiger mothers of an earlier day' --People Magazine, 6 June 2011
'Once again, See's research feels impeccable, and she has created an authentic, visually arresting world' --Washington Post, 2 June 2011
'See's fans will be glad to read more about Pearl, May and Joy, and See's recurring themes of unbreakable family bonds and strong-willed women' --Portland Oregonian, 4 June 2011
'See is a gifted historical novelist. She illuminates a turning point in Chinese history when people still remembered the inequities of the feudal caste system, and in some cases embodied them. ...See is unflinching in her willingness to describe it all'
--San Francisco Chronicle, 5 June 2011
'Dreams of Joy is less about the radical political and economic change of Mao's rule and more about the enduring social framework, which is See's forte. As she shows, family and village continue to be the central organizing devices in Chinese culture, and even though the Communist regime exalts women in theory, the facts tell a different story' --Seattle Times, 4 June 2011
'See writes vividly about China's people, places and customs; her descriptions of various state banquets will bring on hunger pangs. That such feasts were served while millions starved is a sobering history lesson in the midst of this engrossing saga about two tiger mothers of an earlier day' --People Magazine, 6 June 2011
Review
PRAISE FOR SNOWFLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN: 'Lisa See has written her best book yet ... Achingly beautiful' Amy Tan, author of The Joy Luck Club 'Only the best novelists can do what Lisa See has done, to bring to life not only a character but an entire culture' Arthur Golden, author of Memoir of a Geisha PRAISE FOR PEONY IN LOVE: 'See's writing beguiled me ... A brave, brilliant book' Guardian 'A hauntingly beautiful novel of unrequited love' She
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
In the 1950's Nineteen year old Joy Louie runs away from her American home to search for her real father who is a famous artist living in Shanghai.She doesn't know who she can trust as she was told that the woman she thought was her mother is her aunt, and her aunt is her mother.Confusing but all will become clear as you read the story.
The story takes place during the rule of Chairman Mao and he has just launched his Great Leap Forward.It follows Joy through her frightening experiences as she journeys from America to China and eventually to Green Dragon Village.
What happens there I can only describe as a heartbreaking existence in a rural commune that is facing starvation.
However a handsome young comrade catches her eye and life is filled with a new sense of hope. Aunt Pearl arrives in China to try and bring her daughter back home, and the adventure continues.
This is wonderful epic journey which had me mesmorised as the story unfolded page by page.
If like me you didn't know much about the the Great Leap Forward in 1950's China this has been well researched by Lisa See and I'm so pleased that I read this book.
The story takes place during the rule of Chairman Mao and he has just launched his Great Leap Forward.It follows Joy through her frightening experiences as she journeys from America to China and eventually to Green Dragon Village.
What happens there I can only describe as a heartbreaking existence in a rural commune that is facing starvation.
However a handsome young comrade catches her eye and life is filled with a new sense of hope. Aunt Pearl arrives in China to try and bring her daughter back home, and the adventure continues.
This is wonderful epic journey which had me mesmorised as the story unfolded page by page.
If like me you didn't know much about the the Great Leap Forward in 1950's China this has been well researched by Lisa See and I'm so pleased that I read this book.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In the previous novel, Shanghai Girls, Pearl and May are forced into arranged marriages, which lead to the sisters living in America. Eventually they find happiness in their new lives, after several traumatic events, but they are accused of spying for Communist China & this tears the family apart.
Pearl and May have been keeping a lot of secrets, and at the end of the first novel, Pearl's daughter Joy makes several discoveries. She becomes furious with her mother and Aunt May, and makes a drastic decision to leave her home.
I was really critical of Pearl's sudden revelations at the end of Shanghai Girls, and I felt that the ending was too blunt; I didn't know that there would be a sequel, but I still think the ending of the first novel could have been written better.
Having ripped on Lisa See over just one part of Shanghai Girls, I felt I should read Dreams of Joy to be fair to the author. Not being a fan, I can honestly say that Dreams of Joy is one of the best novels I have read in 2011. I read it in one sitting, and was so moved by the plights of Pearl and Joy that I have been dreaming about the characters and settings for several nights in a row. I cannot get the imagery out of my head.
Joy finds her biological father, ZG, and goes to the countryside with him, where she works in the fields. It's a culture shock for Joy, but she embraces her new life. Pearl tries to follow Joy's trail, but she is apprehended by the authorities, and must convince them that she is not a traitor or spy. Pearl also hides the fact that she is looking for her American-born daughter. Pearl must confront many ghosts from her past, and Joy must reconcile her ideals with reality.
There are so many strong elements in this book that I don't even know where to begin. I thought switching the POV between Joy and Pearl made the story that more dramatic. Viewing Communist China through Joy's enthusiasm and Pearl's reluctance made me appreciate the differences between their generations, and the cultural contrast between China and the US. The references to their family's recent past (ex: the fight between May and Pearl, and Sam's death) helped refresh my memory of what happened in the first novel, and gave a stand-alone feel to this novel.
Usually, I am not fond of authors who spend too much time describing the settings, but the author did a brilliant job of using the characters to emphasize the dialects of the languages, the distinction of their clothing, and the disparity of living conditions in China. I also dislike author's notes, but I enjoyed reading the note from Lisa See at the end of the book. I appreciate the tremendous amount of research that she put into her writing. In fact, I was inspired to read several non-fiction books about the time period in Dreams of Joy because See's novel offered such a wealth of information about such a controversial era in history. For instance, I had no idea that their bras were confiscated as signs of "Western decadence" upon entering China.
Any reservations that I had about Lisa See's writing have been settled by Dreams of Joy. I think I might have to read some of her other books now.
Pearl and May have been keeping a lot of secrets, and at the end of the first novel, Pearl's daughter Joy makes several discoveries. She becomes furious with her mother and Aunt May, and makes a drastic decision to leave her home.
I was really critical of Pearl's sudden revelations at the end of Shanghai Girls, and I felt that the ending was too blunt; I didn't know that there would be a sequel, but I still think the ending of the first novel could have been written better.
Having ripped on Lisa See over just one part of Shanghai Girls, I felt I should read Dreams of Joy to be fair to the author. Not being a fan, I can honestly say that Dreams of Joy is one of the best novels I have read in 2011. I read it in one sitting, and was so moved by the plights of Pearl and Joy that I have been dreaming about the characters and settings for several nights in a row. I cannot get the imagery out of my head.
Joy finds her biological father, ZG, and goes to the countryside with him, where she works in the fields. It's a culture shock for Joy, but she embraces her new life. Pearl tries to follow Joy's trail, but she is apprehended by the authorities, and must convince them that she is not a traitor or spy. Pearl also hides the fact that she is looking for her American-born daughter. Pearl must confront many ghosts from her past, and Joy must reconcile her ideals with reality.
There are so many strong elements in this book that I don't even know where to begin. I thought switching the POV between Joy and Pearl made the story that more dramatic. Viewing Communist China through Joy's enthusiasm and Pearl's reluctance made me appreciate the differences between their generations, and the cultural contrast between China and the US. The references to their family's recent past (ex: the fight between May and Pearl, and Sam's death) helped refresh my memory of what happened in the first novel, and gave a stand-alone feel to this novel.
Usually, I am not fond of authors who spend too much time describing the settings, but the author did a brilliant job of using the characters to emphasize the dialects of the languages, the distinction of their clothing, and the disparity of living conditions in China. I also dislike author's notes, but I enjoyed reading the note from Lisa See at the end of the book. I appreciate the tremendous amount of research that she put into her writing. In fact, I was inspired to read several non-fiction books about the time period in Dreams of Joy because See's novel offered such a wealth of information about such a controversial era in history. For instance, I had no idea that their bras were confiscated as signs of "Western decadence" upon entering China.
Any reservations that I had about Lisa See's writing have been settled by Dreams of Joy. I think I might have to read some of her other books now.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Dreams of Joy is the sequel to Shanghai Girls. Those of you who have read Shanghai Girls will remember that Joy had just found out that her mother Pearl isn't really her mother at all but her aunt, and that her biological father is an artist still living in China. With the impulsiveness and surety of youth, Joy gives up her American life and travels to Communist China to 'help build the New China'. Looking at everything through rose-tinted glasses, she thinks she has found a rural idyll and a simple life far away from the consumerism and prejudice she has experienced in America. So she thinks nothing of surrendering her passport, of losing her ability to travel around China, of falling in love with a man from the village (now Dandelion Commune number eight). Pearl, with the wisdom of experience, can see the trouble her daughter is involving herself with and also abandons everything to travel to China in an attempt to bring her home.
I was apprehensive about reading Dreams of Joy, as I enjoyed Shanghai Girls so much, but I shouldn't have worried - I loved it. Throughout the whole first half of the book, as Joy embraced Communist China and commune life and all it stood for I wanted to reach through the book and shake her. Having studied The Great Leap Forward and Communist China, I had a great sense of foreboding and was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Joy is so headstrong and so determined to love everything about China and village life that she is beyond being made to see otherwise, and at a certain point, Pearl has to let her make her own mistakes. Other reviewers have complained of Joy's naivety for thinking everything is charming and perfect in the communes, but I thought it fit with her character - when you are so determined for something to be right, you simply don't see the bad.
In the second half of the book, the other shoe drops as See starts describing the effects of The Great Leap Forward. Communes were led by leaders that had no clue about farming, leading to mistakes in planting and harvesting and consequently a radical drop in food production. At the same time, the pressure was on to have higher and higher yields leading to a massive famine, with some estimates putting it at 45 million dead. People started to abandon and even eat their own babies and children out of desperation. I thought See effectively conveyed the suffering of people that had been made to abandon the farming practises that they knew worked, for those that they knew wouldn't, but were unable to speak up due to terrible consequences for those that did. Starving must be truly a terrible way to die. Other aspects of Communist China are touched upon - meetings where 'rightist elements' are denounced, internal travel restrictions, cruelty towards anyone who had been well off before communism, unrealistic targets and announcements. As always, See had done her research and wrote about these topics knowledgeably.
Some parts of the plot did require a bit of suspension of belief in the way that the characters were able to move around the country and make plans to leave whilst remaining undetected. I also missed the character of May, who stayed in America and was only in the novel in the form of letters she wrote to Pearl. The dynamic between the two sisters was something I enjoyed about Shanghai Girls and this was missing in Dreams of Joy. But these are minor criticisms compared to how much I enjoyed reading the book - in the final chapters I was reading as fast as I could as I was desperate to see what would happen to Joy and Pearl. Highly recommended.
I was apprehensive about reading Dreams of Joy, as I enjoyed Shanghai Girls so much, but I shouldn't have worried - I loved it. Throughout the whole first half of the book, as Joy embraced Communist China and commune life and all it stood for I wanted to reach through the book and shake her. Having studied The Great Leap Forward and Communist China, I had a great sense of foreboding and was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Joy is so headstrong and so determined to love everything about China and village life that she is beyond being made to see otherwise, and at a certain point, Pearl has to let her make her own mistakes. Other reviewers have complained of Joy's naivety for thinking everything is charming and perfect in the communes, but I thought it fit with her character - when you are so determined for something to be right, you simply don't see the bad.
In the second half of the book, the other shoe drops as See starts describing the effects of The Great Leap Forward. Communes were led by leaders that had no clue about farming, leading to mistakes in planting and harvesting and consequently a radical drop in food production. At the same time, the pressure was on to have higher and higher yields leading to a massive famine, with some estimates putting it at 45 million dead. People started to abandon and even eat their own babies and children out of desperation. I thought See effectively conveyed the suffering of people that had been made to abandon the farming practises that they knew worked, for those that they knew wouldn't, but were unable to speak up due to terrible consequences for those that did. Starving must be truly a terrible way to die. Other aspects of Communist China are touched upon - meetings where 'rightist elements' are denounced, internal travel restrictions, cruelty towards anyone who had been well off before communism, unrealistic targets and announcements. As always, See had done her research and wrote about these topics knowledgeably.
Some parts of the plot did require a bit of suspension of belief in the way that the characters were able to move around the country and make plans to leave whilst remaining undetected. I also missed the character of May, who stayed in America and was only in the novel in the form of letters she wrote to Pearl. The dynamic between the two sisters was something I enjoyed about Shanghai Girls and this was missing in Dreams of Joy. But these are minor criticisms compared to how much I enjoyed reading the book - in the final chapters I was reading as fast as I could as I was desperate to see what would happen to Joy and Pearl. Highly recommended.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Could not put this one down
When I pick up a book by Lisa See, I know that ironically as it sounds with her works of fiction, I will experience several moments of intense truth. Read more
Published 5 months ago by E. Newman
Fab-u-lous
I adored this book by Lisa See, a follow up to Shanghai Girls. It is heartbreaking.Can't wait for her next book!
Published 5 months ago by Susan M. Rixon
Another excellent read by this author
It took me a while to get into the story, but once I did it gripped me until the last page. I would recomend it. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Mrs. J. Streek
what can I say
Lisa See in her stories of China can't put a foot wrong. This one was as good as the others I have read
Published 8 months ago by Mrs. G. Mark
Couldn't put this down!
I have to admit that I have no special interest in Chinese history or culture, so I chose this book for the story and based purely on recommendations. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Monica M. Wood
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