I would listen again because there is so much information regarding the three generations covered in the book. Would you listen to Wild Swans again? Why? But I'm not convinced that that is Chang's fault and not mine.Įceptional Writer, historically informative At times the book drags on, and can, on occasion, be boring. And because China is such a major player in our world today, it should be a must-read for any educated person. This book provides a description of communist China under Mao that is not only essential to understand China's history, but its present as well. Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?Ĭhang's mother running to Chang, trying to bring her some dumplings, before Chang left for her father's camp. The real life depictions of the suffering and state of mind of the Chinese during the Cultural Revolution.Ĭhang's father rejecting the Ting's and writing the letter to Mao. What was one of the most memorable moments of Wild Swans? But Unbroken is hard, very hard, for any audio book to beat. I've listened to two books so far with Audible, Unbroken and Wild Swans, and Wild Swans ranks second. Where does Wild Swans rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far? Afterwards you might want to find Chang's exhaustively researched 'Mao-The Untold Story.' A remarkable work.Īn Indictment of Communist China under Mao And if you are willing to be challenged by the question, 'What would you have done under these circumstances,' you will find Wild Swans a particularly rewarding listen. In addition, the narrative is so personal and so steeped in evocative description that it speaks to the heart as powerfully as to the intellect. There is, however, so much to recommend this in depth examination of the spiritual, emotional and ethical rape of an entire culture at the behest of one man that I am convinced that most listeners will find the book well worth the hard work. That said, it is true that the book is exceptionally detailed in its approach, and for some readers this may be excessive. As a result, I experienced the book as an especially dynamic encounter with the personal histories of those around me, and this may be why I can give it five stars. As I listened, I shared the book with them and they ratified its accuracy and approved the pitch perfect truth of the portrayal of the years before the 'opening up' which came after the death of Mao.

I have many Chinese in-laws with first hand experience of the world which June Chang reveals to us.

I live in Beijing with my Chinese wife who was a high school student during the Cultural Revolution.

Wild swans by jung chang