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Dreams of Joy

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Dreams of Joy

By: Lisa See
Narrated by: Janet Song
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About this listen

Reunite with Pearl and May from Shanghai Girls, and Pearl’s daughter Joy in the midst of China's Great Leap Forward. A continuation of the characters from her best seller Shanghai Girls.

Nineteen-year-old Joy Louie has run away from her home in 1950s America to start a new life in China. Idealistic and unafraid, she believes that Chairman Mao is on the side of the people, despite what her family keeps telling her.

Meanwhile, Pearl returns to China to bring Joy home - if she can. For Mao has launched his Great Leap Forward, and each passing season brings ever greater hardship. Pearl must use her contacts from her decadent childhood in 1930s Shanghai to find a way to safety - and a chance of joy for them both.

©2011 Lisa See (P)2012 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction China Imperial Japan
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What did you like most about Dreams of Joy?

I enjoyed getting to know the characters. I loved that everything was not given away in the beginning of the book. The author gave us enough description to understand the characters, then gave us more details of events as the book went on. It kept me hooked!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dreams of Joy?

Of course, the ending was the most memorable. (I don't want to go into too many details. No need to spoil it for everyone!)

Which scene did you most enjoy?

When Joy sent managed to get a letter through to her mother, so that she could be rescued.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I must admit I felt a bit naive about not knowing all the troubles that happened in China during Mao's reign. My heart wrenched every time the author described the way the chinese were lied to into thinking communism was the way forward.

Any additional comments?

I didn't listen to the first novel in this series before listening to Dreams of Joy, but I didn't think it made a difference. The story is self contained.

a fantastic story!

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

Great listen! The narrator did a fantastic job - I was engaged the whole time and the different voices were not annoying. The story is gripping, I listened almost in one sitting. Educational, well researched, full characters that claim your attention and empathy - this is fiction at its best. I took away one star however because there is an element right at the end of the book that I think is ridiculous and out of character for the "realistic-ness" of the rest of the book.

Great listen!

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Very rarely write reviews, but just had to. This has got to be in my top 5 books of all time. Expertly written... empathy but not sentimental; exciting but realistic; and really ignited an interest in the era for me. Enjoyed Shanghai Girls very much, so downloaded this sequel, and this has blown its predecessor out of the water! I know some fellow book club members found Shanghai Girls a little too brutal, and if you are sensitive then this book is 'worse' and may not be for you, but the issues are important and sensitively dealt with. A big well done and thankyou to Lisa See. I will always remember this book.

Wow

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I read this after reading Shanghai Girls, and the sequel was possibly better than the first book! Excellent piece of historical fiction, cant recommend highly enough.

Excellent!

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What did you like most about Dreams of Joy?

It taught me about China and the ways of other cultures in another time.

What did you like best about this story?

The complex relationships.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

There were a few very disturbing scenes in the village.

Another charming look at communism in a very perso

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