Questions About Dreams of Joy (Shanghai Girls, #2)

by Lisa See (Goodreads Author)

Reader Q&A

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Answered Questions (4)

can you read this book without having read the first one??

Sheri

This answer contains spoilers… (view spoiler)

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Hi. Is Dreams of Joy a stand-alone story or do you suggest I read Shangai Girls first?

Annie Lee I am glad that I read Shangai Girls first. It was easy to follow the family through the mid 1950s.

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I lived in Beijing 7 years from 1994-2001. I went to Shanghai once. I found this a fascinating read from the historical perspective. I'm curious, does anyone know where "Green Dragon Village" (Dandelion Number Eight People’s Commune) - I assume a fictitious place - is modeled after (i.e. province/village)? Thank you!

Marcie From the acknowledgments, it says she went to Huangcun village in Anwei province and stayed in a 17th century villa called Zhong Xian Di. It also says…moreFrom the acknowledgments, it says she went to Huangcun village in Anwei province and stayed in a 17th century villa called Zhong Xian Di. It also says "I've changed much of Huangcun's geography to create Green Dragon Village, but visitors will readily recognize the ancestral temple, the stone bridges, the villa, and the beauty of the landscape."(less)

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I accidentally bought this book without knowing it was a sequel. So I'm thinking about getting the first book, but I also see that the sequel has better reviews and the story also seems more interesting to me than the first book. Is it possible to read the second book without having read the first one, or would I be missing out on too much backstory? Thanks!