Dreams of Joy

Version: Unabridged
Author: Lisa See
Narrator: Janet Song
Genres: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Random House Audio
Published In: May 2011
# of Units: 13 CDs
Length: 15 hours, 30 minutes
Ratings:
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Overview

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.

Selected Reviews

Dreams of Joy

by Anonymous
  • Book Rating: 1/5

Dreams of Joy

by LJ
  • Book Rating: 5/5

More...

Read All 4

Reviews (4)

Dreams of Joy

Written by Anonymous on November 12th, 2012

  • Book Rating: 1/5

VERY annoying reader. The sing song-y pseudo Chinese accent used by the reader is most distracting and annoying. Hard to concentrate on the story the reader is so overly dramatic and false. A very bad listen for what could have been a good book. Sending it back. Not worth the listen.

Dreams of Joy

Written by LJ on July 24th, 2012

  • Book Rating: 5/5

The narrative in this story gave me nightmares at night but I could not stop listening to the story. The personalization of chinese spirit deeply impressed me but I was most drawn in by the complex relationship between mother and daughter. This is a book well worth listening too.

Dream

Written by Kathy on February 14th, 2012

  • Book Rating: 1/5

I can't begin to tell you how much I didn't care about these characters. I had read (in book form) Shanghai Girls, and while I didn't think it was great, it was certainly a good book. Dreams of Joy, which picks up where Shanghai Girls ends, is boring. Perhaps Lisa See's books are meant to be read and not heard as there were times when I was sure the CD was stuck on a passage because the text was the same. But, no, it was just that she had used the exact same phrases and descriptions in more than one place.

Dreams of Joy

Written by Barbara Loris from West Hills, CA on September 20th, 2011

  • Book Rating: 5/5

I think Lisa See is a wonderful writer. This book held my interest so I couldn't wait to hear the next disk. I loved the history and culture of the chinese people. I'm looking forward to her next book. Janet Song who read the book has a wonderful voice which added so much her way of reading it, the tones and softneness in her voice were great. This to me was a wonderful listening experience.

Selected Reviews

Dreams of Joy

by Anonymous
  • Book Rating: 1/5

Dreams of Joy

by LJ
  • Book Rating: 5/5

More...

Read All 4

Author Details

Author Details

See, Lisa

Lisa See is the author of three previous novels: "Flower Net" (which was nominated for an Edgar Award), "The Interior," and "Dragon Bone"s. She is also the author of the widely acclaimed memoir "On Gold Mountain," She lives in Los Angeles.