Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China

by Jung Chang
Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China cover
Good Books rating 4.57
Biography and Memoir
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  • ID: 6142
  • Added: 2025-11-03
  • Updated: 2025-11-05
  • ISBN: 9780007241675
  • Publisher: HarperCollins UK
  • Published: 2007-01-01
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3

Wild Swans is a groundbreaking memoir that combines the personal with the historical, offering a unique lens through which to view China's 20th century. Through the stories of her grandmother, mother, and herself, Jung Chang paints a vivid portrait of a nation in turmoil, from the opulence of the last imperial court to the horrors of the Cultural Revolution. The book is not just a family history but a testament to the strength and endurance of women in the face of adversity. With over 13 million copies sold, Wild Swans has become a global phenomenon, praised for its breathtaking scope and unforgettable descriptions. It is a book that educates, inspires, and moves readers, offering a profound understanding of a complex and often misunderstood period in history. Chang's masterful storytelling brings to life the struggles, triumphs, and tragedies of three generations of women, making their stories a universal tale of courage and resilience.

Reviews
Hungarian Conservative · 2022-10-16
insightful 4.50

The book provides a powerful insight into 20th-century Chinese history through the lens of a family memoir. It highlights the resilience and strength of the human spirit.

This review from the Hungarian Conservative delves into the historical significance of Wild Swans, praising its ability to capture the turbulent changes in China through the personal stories of three generations of women. The reviewer emphasizes the book's emotional depth and its ability to convey the harsh realities of life in China during this period. They also highlight the author's courage in sharing her family's story, which serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. The reviewer finds the book to be a compelling and educational read, offering a unique perspective on a critical period in Chinese history.

Quick quotes

    Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang is a family memoir that gives a powerful insight into 20th-century Chinese history.

    It is a story of survival through desperate struggles, including starvation and unimaginable cruelty.

    It is also a cautionary tale.

Reddit - Recommended Books · 2022-04-20
amazing 5.00

The book is described as one of the best reads, highlighting the extreme conditions and historical context of China. The reviewer is amazed by the family's courage and resilience.

This Reddit review praises Wild Swans as one of the best books the reviewer has ever read. They are particularly struck by the extreme conditions and historical context that the author and her family endured. The reviewer expresses admiration for the sheer courage and resilience displayed by the family members, especially the grandmother. They find the book to be an eye-opening account of Chinese history, providing a personal and emotional perspective that is both moving and enlightening. The reviewer highly recommends the book for its gripping narrative and profound insights.

Quick quotes

    This is one of the best books I have ever read.

    It's amazing just how crazy things can get in a country, and extrapolating what happened back then to now is just mind-blowing.

    The sheer courage of her grandmother and the rest of her family is just incredible.

London Review of Books · Penelope Fitzgerald · 1992-04-09
compelling 4.20

The reviewer appreciates the author's decision to write the book after learning the truth about her family. They find the book to be a compelling and necessary account of a turbulent period in Chinese history.

Penelope Fitzgerald's review in the London Review of Books highlights the significance of Jung Chang's decision to write Wild Swans after uncovering the truth about her family's past. Fitzgerald praises the book for its compelling narrative and its ability to capture the essence of a tumultuous era in Chinese history. She finds the personal stories of the three generations of women to be both moving and enlightening, offering a unique perspective on the struggles and resilience of the human spirit. Fitzgerald also notes the importance of the book as a historical document, providing valuable insights into the political and social upheavals of 20th-century China.

Quick quotes

    In 1988 Jung Chang, living in England, first learned the whole truth about her family, and realised it was necessary to write Wild Swans.

    It is a story of survival through desperate struggles, including starvation and unimaginable cruelty.

    It is also a cautionary tale.

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