Dreams of Joy by Lisa See
Anyone who knows me and my husband, knows of our fascination with and love of all things Chinese. We've traveled around the world and one of our most memorable moments was standing on top of the Great Wall of China, soaking in the centuries of blood, sweat and tears of a civilization full of accomplishment and struggle. We were in awe of the history surrounding us and grateful for our freedom at home.
Joy is a twenty year old of Chinese heritage, raised in California. When she learns that her parents are not her biological parents, she rebels and sets off to China to find her real father. It is 1957 and Mao Zedong is in control. Finding her father, Z.G., is relatively easy since he is a famous artist in China. Foreigners are not able to move easily through the country so Z.G. takes her under his wing when he is forced to teach art to the peasants. Being young and idealistic, Joy joins the revolution in her homeland. Her assimilation into Chinese life, culture and politics proves to be much more than she bargained for.
Her mother, Pearl, follows to bring her back home. Their 3 year journey during the Great Leap Forward, takes them from the big city of Shanghai to a commune in the countryside. The basic necessities of living are controlled. At first Joy wants to return to her Chinese roots. As her freedom becomes increasingly restricted, she sees the danger she is in. The family pays a huge price in order to repair their past mistakes.
Dreams of Joy is the sequel to Shanghai Girls which is the story of Pearl and her sister May's journey from a China to America. Dreams of Joy brings the sisters full circle in their lives. I absolutely love to read about China and its culture. And Lisa See is my favorite. I'm not a serial reader but I have to admit I've read most of what Lisa See has written. She's a terrific writer and I love the subjects. I'm not as crazy about Dreams of Joy as I am about some of her other work. But in true Lisa See fashion I felt the love, hurt, joy and danger on every single page. And she kept me engaged right up to the very end.
Anyone who knows me and my husband, knows of our fascination with and love of all things Chinese. We've traveled around the world and one of our most memorable moments was standing on top of the Great Wall of China, soaking in the centuries of blood, sweat and tears of a civilization full of accomplishment and struggle. We were in awe of the history surrounding us and grateful for our freedom at home.
Joy is a twenty year old of Chinese heritage, raised in California. When she learns that her parents are not her biological parents, she rebels and sets off to China to find her real father. It is 1957 and Mao Zedong is in control. Finding her father, Z.G., is relatively easy since he is a famous artist in China. Foreigners are not able to move easily through the country so Z.G. takes her under his wing when he is forced to teach art to the peasants. Being young and idealistic, Joy joins the revolution in her homeland. Her assimilation into Chinese life, culture and politics proves to be much more than she bargained for.
Her mother, Pearl, follows to bring her back home. Their 3 year journey during the Great Leap Forward, takes them from the big city of Shanghai to a commune in the countryside. The basic necessities of living are controlled. At first Joy wants to return to her Chinese roots. As her freedom becomes increasingly restricted, she sees the danger she is in. The family pays a huge price in order to repair their past mistakes.
Dreams of Joy is the sequel to Shanghai Girls which is the story of Pearl and her sister May's journey from a China to America. Dreams of Joy brings the sisters full circle in their lives. I absolutely love to read about China and its culture. And Lisa See is my favorite. I'm not a serial reader but I have to admit I've read most of what Lisa See has written. She's a terrific writer and I love the subjects. I'm not as crazy about Dreams of Joy as I am about some of her other work. But in true Lisa See fashion I felt the love, hurt, joy and danger on every single page. And she kept me engaged right up to the very end.
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