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danilediard's review
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
aforeman's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
suvata's review
4.0
This book continues where Shanghai Girls left off. Pearl and May now care for Pearl’s strong-willed nineteen-year-old daughter, Joy. Joy joins a communist artist community and needs to be rescued by her closest family and friends leaving them open to exposure as communist resistors.
4/5 stars.
4/5 stars.
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Digital audiobook performed by Janet Song.
This is the sequel to [b:Shanghai Girls|5960325|Shanghai Girls (Shanghai Girls #1)|Lisa See|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327968416s/5960325.jpg|5991850] and any synopsis, no matter how brief, will include a spoiler for anyone who hasn’t read the first book. So, I’m going to dispense with that, other than to say that this book really focuses on China and the results of the cultural revolution.
The novel gives the reader an horrific look at the Great Leap Forward and the devastating results of grandiose ideas imposed with little practical thought. The scenes of privation and starvation, of people willing to eat “anything” are disturbing and enlightening. I was already familiar with this episode in China’s recent history, but watching it unfold through these characters made is somehow “personal” and gave it much more impact. See also explores the meaning of love in this book: parent/child love, young love, love between friends, love of country.
My main problem with the book was the central character: Joy. She was so immature and naïve, so stubborn in her refusal to listen to reason, so rash in her actions ... I just wanted to throttle her. On the other hand, Pearl really shines in this story. Talk about a strong heroine!
Janet Song does a fine job narrating the audiobook. She has great pacing and a style of reading that really gives a sense of the culture. I’ve listened to other books set in China, narrated by Song, and she’s equally wonderful reading them all.
This is the sequel to [b:Shanghai Girls|5960325|Shanghai Girls (Shanghai Girls #1)|Lisa See|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327968416s/5960325.jpg|5991850] and any synopsis, no matter how brief, will include a spoiler for anyone who hasn’t read the first book. So, I’m going to dispense with that, other than to say that this book really focuses on China and the results of the cultural revolution.
The novel gives the reader an horrific look at the Great Leap Forward and the devastating results of grandiose ideas imposed with little practical thought. The scenes of privation and starvation, of people willing to eat “anything” are disturbing and enlightening. I was already familiar with this episode in China’s recent history, but watching it unfold through these characters made is somehow “personal” and gave it much more impact. See also explores the meaning of love in this book: parent/child love, young love, love between friends, love of country.
My main problem with the book was the central character: Joy. She was so immature and naïve, so stubborn in her refusal to listen to reason, so rash in her actions ... I just wanted to throttle her. On the other hand, Pearl really shines in this story. Talk about a strong heroine!
Janet Song does a fine job narrating the audiobook. She has great pacing and a style of reading that really gives a sense of the culture. I’ve listened to other books set in China, narrated by Song, and she’s equally wonderful reading them all.
meganannstan's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
categj's review against another edition
3.0
Review coming after the Novel Thinkers' February meeting...
amk1981's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sqmegrndhole's review against another edition
5.0
I definitely recommend to read these books in conjunction. I read Shanghai Girls and Dreams of Joy back to back and loved both of them. I knew very little about communism in China and it was fascinating to see how they lived in both China and the US during this time period and the hardships they faced. Even though the characters aren't real, I believe the author did her homework on the time period, so it painted a very realistic and scary picture of what they went through. I am actually hoping she might write a third book about May, Pearl and Joy.
taylormorgantm's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0