Book Beginnings Friday: Dreams of Joy

Please join Rose City Reader
every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are
reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence,
impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires.  Please
remember to include the title of the book and the author.


 I’m reading Dreams of Joy by Lisa See:

The
wail of a police siren in the distance tears through my body. Crickets
whir in a never-ending chorus of blame. My aunt whimpers in her twin bed
at the other end of the screened porch we share – a reminder of the
misery and embarrassment from the secrets she and my mother threw at
each other during their argument tonight.


I love Lisa See’s books. This one is the sequel to Shanghai Girls
which I read earlier this year. I’m only about 60 pages in so far, but I
am captivated already. Joy has left Los Angeles Chinatown for China to
find her real father. The book is set in the late 1950s, when Mao is in
power in The People’s Republic of China. I love reading Lisa See’s books
because I feel I always get great insight into the Chinese culture.

 

Have you read this or any other book by Lisa See?

Share:

6 Comments

  1. Amber
    December 14, 2012 / 1:09 pm

    I really like the beginning. I've never read any Lisa See…but I've always been curious. Which book would you recommend?

    Here's my beginning:
    morosebookshelf.blogspot.com/2012/12/book-beginnings-icy-sparks.html

    • Kristin
      December 14, 2012 / 2:47 pm

      I loved Snow Flower and the Secret Fan – that's my favorite of hers. I also read Shanghai Girls which was good and Peony in Love – didn't like that one as much.

  2. JC Jones
    December 14, 2012 / 2:14 pm

    I haven't read any of her books. Here is my post:
    BBF

    • Kristin
      December 14, 2012 / 2:48 pm

      If you like reading about other cultures, she's one to try.

  3. Laurel-Rain Snow
    December 14, 2012 / 2:28 pm

    A dramatic beginning that pulls the reader right in. Thanks for sharing.

    Here's MY FRIDAY MEMES POST

    • Kristin
      December 14, 2012 / 2:48 pm

      Have you read any of her books Laurel?