Book cover of Dreams of Joy

Book description

#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

In her most powerful novel…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Dreams of Joy as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I love the book because of its spectacular opening, among other merits. As the sequel to Lisa See’s Shanghai Girls, this book focuses on the next generation—Joy. The book opens with a powerful twist: Joy discovers that her mother is actually her aunt, and her aunt is her biological mother. Additionally, her father, unrelated by blood, committed suicide because of her, while her real father is an artist in China. Angry and guilt-ridden, the rebellious and naïve college student from San Francisco's Chinatown runs away to communist China to find her real father and help build the country.

Her adoptive…

From Tong's list on Chinese modern history.

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Book cover of Love and War in the Jewish Quarter

Love and War in the Jewish Quarter by Dora Levy Mossanen,

A breathtaking journey across Iran where war and superstition, jealousy and betrayal, and passion and loyalty rage behind the impenetrable walls of mansions and the crumbling houses of the Jewish Quarter.

Against the tumultuous background of World War II, Dr. Yaran will find himself caught in the thrall of the…

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