Wild Swans : Three Daughters of China
by Jung Chang
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Book Reviews of Wild Swans : Three Daughters of China
Book Review: Accurate Historical Fiction
Summary: 5 Stars
I read "Wild Swans" along with several other fiction and nonfiction books before I went to live in China for a 2-year assignment with a multinational corporation. No book better prepared me to understand the Chinese people and the history they have seen in their recent past. China is a country that is changing faster than we can comprehend in the West. But this change is only a continuation of the enornous changes that have occurred in the last century. "Wild Swans" takes us into the lives of 3 women of very different times and allows us to see and understand their day-to-day lives in the context of the times in which they lived.
The book helped me to be able to look at the Chinese of all ages and know the history and living conditions that they have experienced in their lives. To understand one's frame of mind is a gift of understanding that helped me in my social life and business dealings in this fascinating country. My 2-year assignment ended too soon and I opted to return for 3 more years later.
I recommend "Wild Swans" to anyone who wants a better understanding of China. I have not found another book to equal it in insight into the Chinese mind.
Book Review: A must read
Summary: 5 Stars
Wild Swans is an inside look at China in the 20th century. Chang writes about her own life as well as the lives of her grandmother and her mother. Most of the book focuses on the Cultural Revolution and how it affected the general populous. Chang is a master story teller as she relives the fear and anxiety that was China during the 50's, 60's, and 70's.
I personally could not put the book down. This book makes you thankful that you were not born in China during Mao times. China is now under a much more sane administration but an understanding of current Chinese culture requires the insightful look that Chang provides in this book.
This book is ultimately about human nature and betrayal for power. While reading it, I saw Mao China as a real life 1984. I felt sorry for China and grew to appreciate the great strides that they have made in spite of Mao and in spite of communism.
This book is highly suggested to anyone with any interest in China, Communism, or cultural studies. It is also recommended to anyone who thirst for a true scary story. May not be suitable for children below high school due to some graphic violence.
Book Review: Wild Swans: wish I had read this book years ago!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have had the priviledge of mentoring several MBA level students from mainland China for the past several years. Although they seemed fairly westernized, my lack of understanding of the history of their country proved detrimental. Although I know communist theories and philosophies, I was ignorant of the impact of Mao and the resulting unwinding of a rich cultural past. The book proved so insightful and beneficial to me. It is also one of the most well-written historical/ personal accounts I have ever read. I agree with one reviewer that the book is not a "page turner," but instead a beautifully written and almost poetic account of a woman and her family through the 20th century. Not just about a woman, but about strong, extraordinary women in Jung Chang's family.
Westerners born in the 1920's and beyond will never understand the suffering, deprivation, humiliation, hunger and lack of freedom that millions of people throughout the world have suffered under the rule of tyrants and despots. This book is a treasure and a must-read for all of us. This collective past must never be forgotten or our liberties ever taken for granted.
Book Review: One of my favorite books, someone should make it into a movie
Summary: 5 Stars
"Wild Swans" by Jung Chang is a very fascinating and informative first hand social history of modern China. The book is exceptionally well written and is hard to put down. The true stories of three generations of Chinese women and their families are presented against the backdrop of many of the important events in the last hundred years of Chinese history.
Jung Chang's grandmother and her parents are the most memorable persons, in my opinion, in "Wild Swans." Her parents were dedicated Communists, genuinely striving to better the lives of the Chinese people. It is very tragic and sad how their dedication to the improvement of China and its people, was betrayed by Mao's foolish, malevolent policies. "Wild Swans" conveys in graphic details the horrors of the Cultural Revolution, initiated by Mao partly or largely in his attempt to regain control of the Chinese government and society.
I sometimes wonder why "Wild Swans" has not yet been made into a movie. While I doubt if it could be filmed in China in the near future, the right director and cast could produce a great movie based on this exceptionally fine book.
Book Review: Should be Required reading for all students!!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is by far one of the best books I ever read! I never really knew much, or cared to know about China or Communism (I'm embarrased to say-) This has changed my mind! Ms Chang has recalled an unbelievably sad personal history growing up in China, before and after Communism. Beginning w/ her concubine grandmother in early 1900's, describing the horrific ritual of binding her feet at 3 years old, to her own mother and father who blindly gave their lives for the communism cause, being away from their children for months on end, being told by the government how they had to wear their hair and what clothes were acceptable. Then there's Chairman Mao and his wife, the tyrannical self absorbed monsters, starving their own people, making them work in the fields just to sell their food to other countries, leaving the helpless Chinese peasants to starve. I learned SO MUCH from this superbly written book...I just started reading "The Private Life of Chairman Mao" written by his personal physician to learn his side of the story, he was just as fearful of Mao as everyone else. I buy and sell lots of books on Amazon, but will Never sell this one!