Dreams of Joy

I liked this book as much as [b:Shanghai Girls 5960325 Shanghai Girls Lisa See http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255570412s/5960325.jpg 5991850], but for different reasons. In this book, the plot just isn't as believable. And by plot, I am referring to the actions and interactions of the characters.I found it difficult to believe that Joy found her father so quickly. I found the relatively happy ending to be a stretch as well. I truly wanted Pearl and Dun to be reunited, but I just didn't think it could be possible. And how on Earth did Joy's husband turn out to be such an ass? She really had no idea what he was like? I guess maybe that can happen, just seems unlikely.Still, I have decided that after reading outside of my “safety genres” of science fiction and fantasy that I really like historical fiction. I enjoy reading about things that actually happened in the past through the eyes of someone there, fictionally. I don't know enough about China and it's history, but it seemed sound enough in this book. After finishing, I gobbled up a ton of history about China in the 20th century, and to me, that means a book was meaningful and deserving of 4 stars. I see a lot of criticism about Lisa See's writing style, and much of it I can agree with. It's unrefined, it's too choppy, and the plot is, well, ho-hum. But oh, the inspiration that I was filled with after reading it just trumps her critiques.