Dreams of Joy: A Novel

Written by:
Lisa See
Narrated by:
Janet Song

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
52
Narrator
6
Release Date
May 2011
Duration
15 hours 44 minutes
Summary
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.
Reviews
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Emily T.

My favorite narrator ever!!!

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Valerie J

Amazing story and I really enjoyed the narrator as well. Thanks

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Mimi1218

This book is well written. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and highly recommend it. The narrator was excellent.

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Whittyone13

This is an excellent sequel to Shanghai Girls and keeps the story going. The ending is quite surprising and I wish I could tell you more. Highly recommend it!

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NHJoyce

It always amazes me what humans do to each other. Great story of pain, suffering and a mother's love for her children. Brought me to tears many times. Chinese history of the move from socialism to communism is one of great suffering and the strength of love.

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Anonymous

Loved this book! It shows how communism is perfect as an idea but really sucks in reality. Reinforced my American belief in capitalism. God bless America!!!!

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Angela

Loved the sequel to Shanghai Girls - Dreams of Joy was very good.

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Anonymous

A true cultural history. I appreciate the craft of this book and saw a window into a period of history I hadn't known before.

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PeggyP

Excellent story about the Great Leap Forward period and the impact upon every day people.

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Anonymous

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.

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LJ

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.

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Kathy

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.

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Barbara Loris

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.

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