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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
Another great book. I enjoyed it. I will be looking into reading more books by this author in the future. I liked the continua'tion of the story (Shanghai Girls). It was interesting to see things from Joy's perspective. She sure had a lot to learn. She had a lot of growing up to do as well. I would highly recommend this book and author to others.
A fantastic story, excellently read by Janet Song. Where Shanghai Girls left us hanging, with an uneasy ending and unresolved relationships, Dreams of Joy brings us full circle in a riveting, colorful, and fascinating description of a post-war China that is racing to become a communist juggernaut. As with Shanghai Girls, the characters are well-drawn, the story is compelling, and the plot drives forward at a steady yet driving pace. I absolutely loved this story and think I shall now have to pick up other Lisa See books.
This story started out pretty slow for me and I remember being invested in Shanghai Girls much sooner. For the me the story didn’t really gain traction until Joy and Pearl are reunited. From there though there was plenty of action and movement forward. I ended up loving the story and I think it is a great ending to this duology.
I enjoyed the historical fiction part of the book, it was an interesting look at the beginning of Mao's China. See's sentences are always a bit jarring for me. Short, choppy and dry.
I stayed up until early in the morning reading this book. I just could not put it down. This was a great follow up to Shanghai Girls.
This was a very slow read for me. The first half of the book had me wondering if there was ever going to be any rising action. The reader knows Joy will eventually see the harmful ways of the party she has willingly flung herself into, but for 150 pages, Joy is happy as a clam. We find out later that she had doubts and concerns all, which makes sense, but her change of heart was so sudden and that seems disingenuous to me.
Either way, the last half of the book kept me on the edge of my seat. I love it when I read a book that makes me want to go research a topic.
I don’t think Lisa See’s writing style is for me, but maybe I need to try something newer by her.
Either way, the last half of the book kept me on the edge of my seat. I love it when I read a book that makes me want to go research a topic.
I don’t think Lisa See’s writing style is for me, but maybe I need to try something newer by her.
After being somewhat disappointed with Shanghai Girls (mainly due to the fact that the book had an abrupt ending and was set up for this sequel), this book picks up right where it leaves off and explains what happened.
It's a good read and gives an insight into the Mao Dynasty and the "Great Leap Forward". I still feel that it was left unfinished, with a big step of their journey left out. I guess it's implied that everything works out.
It's a good read and gives an insight into the Mao Dynasty and the "Great Leap Forward". I still feel that it was left unfinished, with a big step of their journey left out. I guess it's implied that everything works out.
Unforgettable account of the famine years during China's Great Leap Forward. The book's only flaw is that too often the characters are there to serve the book's background story, not the other way around. Not See's best book, but a worthwhile read. After I got passed the first 100 pages, I couldn't put it down.
I love Lisa See's writing. It's beautiful (sometimes terrifying) and well-researched. This book is especially good when read with it's prequel, Shanghai Girls. (I received a free ARC of this book from a Goodreads Giveaway)
I have not read much about China's "Great Leap Forward."
Parts were horrifying and hard to read, but also the author touched on themes of shame, jealousy, and family love. I did not read book #1, but this did not impact my understanding of the story.
Parts were horrifying and hard to read, but also the author touched on themes of shame, jealousy, and family love. I did not read book #1, but this did not impact my understanding of the story.