Dreams of Joy

Lisa See

Random House, 2011

Agent: Sandra Dijkstra

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 fatherthe 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 Joys 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 Joys and Pearls separate journeys converge, one of the most tragic episodes in Chinas 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.

Accolades:

New York Times bestseller (debuted at #1), Los Angeles Times bestseller, USA Today top 150, San Francisco Chronicle/NCIBA bestseller, Publisher's Weekly bestseller, Indiebound bestseller, NPR bestseller, National Indie bestseller, Entertainment Weekly bestseller, Amazon bestseller, B&N this Hour's, Politics & Prose bestseller, BookHampton bestseller

Reviews:

"As always, See creates an immersive atmosphere. . . . Looks like another hit."
Publishers Weekly (starred)
 

"A riveting, meticulously researched depiction of one of the worlds worst human-engineered catastrophes."
Kirkus Reviews