Rating: 
Summary: Very Inspirational
Review: Chang's "Wild Swans" is an informative book about three generations of women's lives in China from before, during, and shortly after Mao Tse-tung. Ms. Chang shows through descriptive words how it is to be a supporter of the Kuomitang, of Mao and even against it all, through the eyes of family, friends and acquaintances. If you are searching to know more about China's communist history, this is an intresting and easy readable book. This books has sparked an interest in me to know more about China and about other atrocities around the world. Though this is a sad part of history, it is a part of history that everyone should be informed about. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China
Review: I had never heard of this book when I picked it off the "China" shelf in the bookstore--I just wanted to read about Mainland China so that I could know a little more about someone I tutor in English. I was mesmerized. One strength of the book (besides the author's passion and her beautiful writing) is that you understand each of the 3 generations in the context of the others. The grandmother's world, China in the '20's, suggests why the communists (or something like them) were necessary and how deeply Mao betrayed that necessity. I knew very little about the Cultural Revolution except what appeared in the papers--now I see how crucial it is for us all to know the details, from people who were there. Read Hannah Arendt's Totalitarianism in light of Mao--it's all there.
Rating:
Summary: it blew me away
Review: I can't believe more people don't know about this incredible book. It's beautifully written and tremendously informative. I agree with the reviewer below who said that it's the best book on 20th century China. And what a movie it would make if done right. Still, I'm taking away from the book itself -- if you think it's tough reading Holocaust literature, try this -- the Japanese and the Chinese committed the most horrible tortures and crimes on each other you can imagine, yet the author dwells on the hope and the love of her family despite the horrors she recounts. One of the most moving books you'll ever read.
Rating:
Summary: Great book, couldn't stop reading
Review: This book was very helpful more than any other history book. I would recommend anyone who had no or little idea about cultural revolution in China. Great book, and author deserved my admiration and respect.
Rating:
Summary: Should have read it before my departure
Review: I began reading this book while living in Shanghai, China as an English teacher. I didn't find time to finish it until I returned to the United States. I regret not finishing it while there. 'Wild Swans' not only informed me of the uncountable tragedies Chinese endured during their tulmultuous 20th century, but helped me understand behaviours and traditions of the Chinese that I had difficulty understanding while living there. I believe I might have adapted more quickly to life in Shanghai had I read the book before I commenced my year and half teaching stint. "Wild Swans" should be required reading for anyone boarding an airplane headed for China -the number of arrogant and misinformed westerners giving all westerners a bad name would then be decreased.
Rating:
Summary: best ever
Review: Amongst all the books about 20th century china,i found this one to be most informative ,especially life during the communist period.It gives a thorough and day to day account of the cultural revolution.Question..why hasnt this classic been made into a movie instead of all the junk out there today.
Rating:
Summary: Touching and unforgettable
Review: I've read this book a while ago, when I was trying hard to dig into "my" past (I'm Taiwanese). Jung Chang tells you a lot about history, from a human point of view. I think I learned more from her book than I ever could from a plain history book. For people who like to read more about the culture rift between the West and the East, you should try Amy Tan's books.
Rating:
Summary: The Book of a Lifetime
Review: This book is my absolute favorite. It started out slow, but it got me from the start and it is very intriguing because of its history and first hand experience of women opressed by the communism. It takes you through three generations of beautiful women and tell you a story that has you hook line and sinker! :) Enjoy it! Its a once in a lifetime reading you will remember forever!
Rating:
Summary: Riverting and Deeply Moving!
Review: The book depicts three generations of struggles in China through a first-hand account by Jung Chang from the dawn of this century till the end of the Cultural Revolution. Words fail me, in both my personal expressions of emotions and gratitude toward a contributary review of this artistic piece that will justify its mesmerising depths. Salman Rushide, the author whom I have always look up to for his creativity and impeccable writing skills (contents aside), which elements have reinforced a linguistic benchmark within my humble self; had failed to lure my temporal attention away from the technical contents of Jung Chang's book. In short: It is the single, MOST MOVING piece of non-fictitious literature that I have ever read, and I strongly recommend it to anyone who wishes to examine critically, the many aspects pertaining to the essential perspectives of life. I was intensively devouring the book throughout the past week and had neglected my own research study. In return however, I have been induced one of life's most precious lessons... about humanity, political struggles and personal reforms through thoughts and emotions..all of which I am positive to be beneficial to any human being living within any community.She (the author) was the first Chinese national to be awarded a doctorate degree in the UK (in 1983) and have stayed on in London since departing China in 1978. The book has won many prizes and critical acclaims..perhaps the most notable being the '1993 British Book of the Year Award'.
Rating:
Summary: Compelling and Enlightening
Review: I knew very little of modern Chinese history before reading Wild Swans, and once I started reading this book, I could not put it down. Chang manages to deliver the personal account of her family's struggle while giving the reader enough information to understand something of the historical, political, and social influences at work in modern China. The book delivers a solid narrative from Chang's grandmother who was raised in "old" China through the Japanese occupation of Manchuria through the establishment of communism under Mao and how these changes in regime impacted upon her family. Wild Swans is also a very telling account of how societies have been willing to totally overturn their societies in favor of the Communist ideal. Readers interested in communism may want to compare Wild Swans to accounts about communism in Russia. Chang ends her account with Mao's death and how she was able to leave China, but it left a lot of unanswered questions. It left me wanting to learn more about Chinese history from a broader political and historical perspective. I'm very eager to learn how China has changed since Mao - which Chang hints has changed for the better in some ways while allowing some of the old corruption under the Kuomintang to seep back in.
|
