Dreams of Joy

This book is set during China's Great Leap Forward, a period of devastating famine caused by the Government's mandate of agricultural collectivization. Far from the promise of plentitude, there is widespread starvation. See presents this as well as the philosophy of communist China and the day-to-day life in the countryside in vivid detail. Her writing style is clear, and her presentation is unencumbered as she reveals the haunting anguish and despair of the people and the government's inadequacy. This is a fascinating glimpse of what the people of Red China did to survive what amounts to a catastrophic social experiment that caused the death of millions of people. See tells the story through the voices of two characters: Joy, young, idealistic, and raised in LA, set on changing the world and being a part of the "people's movement," and Pearl, Joy's mother, who escaped from China and is familiar with the country and the dangers. Through the relationship of Joy and her mother, the story examines the bonds of motherhood and presents the struggles as well as the depth of love, e and also the sacrifice a mother is willing to make for her child. Excellent historical fiction.

Because this book explores Communist China in the late 50's and has as its main characters a young headstrong woman and her mother, it's a great book club selection. During this period of social revolution many atrocities took place. How does something of this magnitude begin and progress. See does give some answers but many deeper issues of inhumanity remain unanswered. She does not hold back in depicting the brainwashing and propaganda that deluded the people. This is also a story of the unconditional love a mother has for her child.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - "Astonishing . . . one of those hard-to-put-down-until-four-in-the morning books . . . a story with characters who enter a reader's life, take up residence, and illuminate the myriad decisions and stories that make up human history" - Los Angeles Times
Random House - May 31, 2011 - Fiction - 368 pages - ISBN 140006712X

In her most powerful novel yet, acclaimed author Lisa See returns to 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, 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.

1. Joy is frequently described in terms of her Tiger astrological sign. In Dreams of Joy, where do you see her acting true to her Tiger nature? Where do you see her acting un-Tiger like?

2. Many of us grew up believing that the People's Republic of China was "closed," and that it remained that way until President Nixon "opened" it. Certainly Pearl (and even Joy, to a great extent) go to China with preconceived ideas of what they'll see and experience. In what ways are they right - or wrong?

3. Does seeing the world through Joy's eyes help you to understand Pearl? Similarly, does Pearl give insights into her daughter?

4. The novel's title, Dreams of Joy, has many meanings. What does the phrase mean to the different characters in the novel, to Lisa, to the reader?

5. In many ways Dreams of Joy is a traditional coming-of-age novel for Joy. Lisa has said that she believes it's also a coming of age novel for Pearl and May. Do you agree? If so, how do these three characters grow up? Do they find their happy endings?

6. Although May plays a key role in Dreams of Joy, she is always off stage. How do you feel about this? Would you rather have May be an on-stage figure in this novel?

7. Pearl has some pretty strong views about motherhood. At one point she asks, "What tactic do we, as mothers, use with our children when we know they're going to make, or have already made, a terrible mistake? We accept blame." Later, she observes, "Like all mothers, I needed to hide my sadness, anger, and grief." Do you agree with her? Does her attitude about mothering change during the course of the novel?

8. Joy's initial perception of China is largely a projection of her youthful idealism. What are the key scenes that force her to adjust her beliefs and feelings in this regard?

9. Describe the roles that Tao, Ta-ming, Kumei, and Yong play in Dreams of Joy. Why are they so important thematically to the novel?

10. Food - or severe lack of it - are of critical importance in Dreams of Joy. How does food affect Joy's growth as a person? Pearl's?

11. Let's consider the men - whether present in the novel as living characters or not - for a moment. What influence do Sam, Z.G., Pearl's father, Dun, and Tao have on the story? How do they show men at their best and worst? Are any of these characters completely good - or bad?

12. Dreams of Joy is largely a novel about mothers and daughters, but it's also about fathers and daughters. How do Joy's feelings toward Sam and Z.G. change over the course of the novel? Does Pearl's attitude towards her father change in any way?

13. There are several moments in the novel when people have to choose the moral or ethical thing to do. Where are those places? What purpose do they play? And why do you think Lisa choose to write them?

14. Z.G. quotes a 17th-century artist when he says, "Art is the heartbeat of the artist." How has this idea influenced his life? What impact does this concept have on Joy?

15. Ultimately, Dreams of Joy is about "mother love" - the love Pearl feels for Joy, Joy feels for her mother, Joy experiences with the birth of her daughter, and the on-going struggle between Pearl and May over who is Joy's true mother. In what ways do secrets, disappointments, fear, and overwhelming love affect mother love in the story?