Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China (Abridged)

Rating:
Summary: A nice trip though China
Review: Though Jung Chang's eyes, China is revealed though the years of her life and those of her mother's and grandmother's. She vividly presents the historic changes that have taken place in China over the last 100 years. The book is an enjoyable journey you shouldn't miss.

Rating:
Summary: Autobiography cum heartwrenching Chinese history
Review: This is a gripping tale of the history of twentieth century China told with a human touch. Essentially an autobiography detailing the lives of three women spanning three generations from the era of warlords in the early 20th century to Communist China under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping, "Wild swans" is a must-read for any who want to experience vicariously, through the eyes of Jung Chang, the atrocities of life undergone by millions of Chinese in the last century. "Wild Swans" did not disappoint me. It is not simply a recounting of events, political campaigns and hard facts in chronological order. It includes human interest anecdotes, stories which are not usually found in history books, thus giving a different perspective to the subject. Not only will you read about about the Cult of Mao, the Cultural Revolution, the Rise of the Chinese Communist Party, but also lesser events like the marriage to a warloard general, the learning of English in Mao's Wake and life as a peasant and a barefoot doctor in Mao's China. There were points in the book that tugged at my heartstrings, especially so after I read about the tragic death of Jung Chang's grandmother. One particular episode provided food for thought. Jung Chang's husband was a firm advocate of Communism, who refused to bend the rules even for his suffering and dying wife, for he claimed that as an official, he had to set a good example. That brought a question to mind. Which is more important - rules or humanitarianism? The book ended on a high note, with the ushering in of the reign of Deng Xiaoping, who showed more tolerance towards democracy and capitalism in Communist China. It was especially uplifting to witness the triumph of "good over evil" and the final emergence of the silver lining beneath the dark clouds that have loomed over China for long. The author and her family now lead pleasant lives, though most of them have forsaken their homeland to live in the West. The stifling oppression for decades have sparked off in them the desire for autonomy and freedom, something severely lacking in China thirty years ago.

My interest on Chinese history was piqued after reading "Ten Thousand Miles without a Cloud". I must say reading "Wild Swans" has consolidated that interest and left me craving for more. It has given me a fantastic overview of the history of modern China - a platform from which I can continue to explore this intellectual interest. Do not treat this book as a mere autobiography, for it is more than that. Part memoir, part history book, part travelogue, "Wild Swans" promises to inspire and mesmerize.