AAR

[Lynda X]

I just finished this fabulous, fabulous, suspenseful book, and I have NOBODY to talk it over with! If you've read it, let me know, please! PLEASE!

This is not a romance, by any stretch of the imagination, although there is a little in it. Lisa See, the author, is not as good as portraying men and I've noticed that she consistently underwrites them. This is the sequel to "Shanghai
Girls," which wasn't quite as good, IMO, but "Dreams of Joy" can definitely be read alone. It's the story of a guilt-ridden, stubborn, idealistic young Chinese-American girl who runs away to Communist China in the early '60's and her mother who follows to bring her home. The theme of this book (that I couldn't put down after reading three pages) is the strength of a mother's love.