Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China (Abridged)

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Summary: Compelling History of Three Generations in China
Review: This personal history, written by a British professor raised in China, offers a compelling account of how China's tumultous history can affect real people. The grandchild of a warlord's concubine, the daughter of a Communist party functionary, the author was raised in the Communist Party's youth movement. She witnessed the Cultural Revolution as both a participant and victim. This exploration of the past---the author searches the past as the tries to understand her own life---offers a gripping and compelling picture of a family caught in the flood of history.

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Summary: Gripping, intense expose of Chinese history
Review: I am not an avid reader. In fact I consider most books boring, and I shun novels altogether. I hate to read books whose stories and plots I could have myself devised. However, during a cruise last year I came across Wild Swans in the ship's library and started reading the first chapter, because I had nothing else to do. That was the beginning of an adventure! I have never been so captivated and enthralled by one person's account of her life experiences. After returning home from the cruise, I rushed off to the library to borrow a copy and continue the saga. I felt a part of the entire scenario and was soon swept away by accounts of life in Communist China and the machinations of Chairman Mao. Miss Chung did an excellent job in bringing her story to life. I didn't get a chance to finish the book but intend to do so as soon as I have some free time. I borrowed another copy for my friend who is planning a trip to China this summer, and I insisted that she read it, since her trip would not be complete without this information. I plan to buy a hard cover copy and keep it in my permanent library at home. Congratulations Ms. Jung you have converted a book loather into an avid book reader (for this work). I am looking forward to more titles in your name again in the future.

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Summary: a most thought provoking book.
Review: having lived in post communist countries, this book put into gripping words the horrors, misconceptions and hope of oppressed people. wonderfully written, takes you right there.

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Summary: Stunning Historical Biography of 20th Century China
Review: Definitely not a dry history book. The author tells the story of her grandmother, her mother and herself enduring the political, social and economic unrest of Chinese life in the 20th century under three different regimes. Engrossing and heartfelt without being overly sentimental, this book will give you a wide-eyed vision of exactly what life was like for these women, bringing history to life and giving the reader a better understanding of Chinese culture itself.

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Summary: The book is a very lucid account of 20th century China.
Review: This novel masterly weaves the history of contemporary China and the lives of three outstanding Chinese women, and also a very brave man, the writer's father. I have been to China recently and felt very strongly some of the places that Ms. Jung Chang describes in her novel. Some chapters of the book are particularly painful, most of them dealing with the so called Cultural Revolution. Ms. Jung Chang is a very brave woman and has survived that ordeal thanks to the force of love. She proves that inside each of us there is love, and with love we can save the world and ourselves. As a reader, I would like to know more of her life in England, how were her days as a graduate student, how she met her husband, what was her first job about, etc. As many other people that love her novel, I would like to read the continuation of Wild Swans. I confess that I do not know whether such a novel has been written or not. But if it has not yet been written, I am sure that many readers will certainly be interested in it. Finally, I want to say thank to Ms. Jung Chang for such a great book.

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Summary: The best book about 20th century of China
Review: The real life of three generations, the writer, her mother and her grandmother, displays the tumoring history of 20th century's China. This is the best book who want to know China.

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Summary: Difficult to read.
Review: An extremely sobering look at 20th century China from an inside perspective. The anguish through which the author was put through was very difficult to read. Recommended to anyone, regardless of whether or not you know much about the history of China.

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Summary: This is the best book I have ever read.
Review: I stumbled on this book at my mother's house and began reading it because I had nothing else to read one evening and once I started it I had a terrible time putting it down. When I finished it I wanted to tell everyone that I know, especially women, to read it. It is the most powerful, evocative book that I have ever put my hands on and I feel like a better person for having read it. I also feel a little shame for having taken my easy, all American life for granted. It is great to live in this land and to be able to express oneself so openly and without fear of retribution. Thank you, thank you Jung Chang for this courageous memoir.

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Summary: Gripping...a must read
Review: Given to me by a Chinese woman...I am forever in her debt

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Summary: slow
Review: The book started off pretty well. The story of her grandmother with the bound feet, living as a concubine, trying to escape the culture, yet integrally woven into it; this was all very interesting. And the area when Mao took over with his foggy regime is enthralling. But then the book trails off and becomes frankly boring. Granted, she's had a more eventful life than I, but she sort of lost track of the focus about halfway through, as though she were excited about writing the book in the begining, but lost her concentration along the way and just sort of wrapped it up at the end. Overall, I would not recommend this book. 60 to 80 pages of interesting material, and lots of filler.