Lisa See has brilliantly illuminated the potent bonds of mother love, romantic love, and love of country. Now, in her most powerful novel yet, she returns to these timeless themes, continuing 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, and anger at her mother and aunt for keeping them from her, 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.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and only gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because of the slow start in my opinion. I didn’t realize at first that it was the sequel to Shanghai Girls which I liked but really had no attachment to the characters whatsoever. This book is so much more of the Lisa See that we saw Snow Flower And the Secret Fan. The relationships between sisters, mothers and daughters is captured immaculately. You don’t need to read Shanghai Girls to read and enjoy this book. The author spends a lot of time reminding us of the important events we need to know about from the past.
The many forms of love are delved into and much of the Chinese history and its culture is brought to life.