Dreams of Joy by Lisa See

Synopsis :

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.

Never a fan of Asian writers but in this case, I give an exemption.  It wasn't an easy start though. It took a while for me to warm up to Dreams of Joy and throughout, I felt really like a typical Asian parent, both loving and criticizing the offspring at the same time, wanting to protect but at the same time wanting to expose them to lives

Anyway, even though it's a sequel, I did not read the first book which is Shanghai Girls but I can still follow the story line as it's a pretty much different story altogether.  I guess those who read the first book would doubly enjoy this title as a closure to the whole saga.

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