I am so hooked on Lisa See's books! If you loved Amy Tan's books but haven't tried See's, you need to rush to the library because you have a treat in store. My history background is lacking when it comes to China so I have been getting an education along with my entertainment. Dreams of Joy is a follow up book to Shanghai Girls. That was the story of Pearl and May two sisters who escaped from China (the Japanese were invading) and came to L.A. Now it is 20 years later and Pearl's daughter Joy has escaped L.A. (no invasion - she is just angry with her family, idealistic and really didn't think this all through) to go to Shanghai. She finds her biological father, a famous artist, and goes with him out in the countryside where he will be teaching people to draw. (Not people with talent, just people - part of Mao's Great Leap Forward.) Joy thinks it is all a wonderful idea, she is with her wonderful father, and falls in love with a wonderful guy. That is the first part of the book - after that it is not so wonderful. Pearl risks everything to return to China and bring her daughter home. It was a terrific book. I have learned more about China from this author than I ever did in school! Highly recommended - but read Shanghai Girls first!
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