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  • Wild Swans

  • By: Jung Chang
  • Narrated by: Pik-sen Lim
  • Length: 27 hrs and 15 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (182 ratings)

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Wild Swans

By: Jung Chang
Narrated by: Pik-sen Lim
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Publisher's Summary

Few books have had such an impact as Wild Swans: a popular best seller and a critically acclaimed history of China that opened up the country to the world.

Through the story of three generations of women in her own family - the grandmother given to the warlord as a concubine, the Communist mother, and the daughter herself - Jung Chang reveals the epic history of China's twentieth century.

Breathtaking in its scope, unforgettable in its descriptions, this is a masterpiece that is extraordinary in every way.

©1991 Copyright © Globalflair Ltd 1991, 2003 (P)2015 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic Reviews

"Immensely moving and unsettling; an unforgettable portrait of the brain-death of a nation." ( The Sunday Times)
" Wild Swans made me feel like a five-year-old. This is a family memoir that has the breadth of the most enduring social history." ( The Independent on Sunday)

What listeners say about Wild Swans

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Sorry I Waited so long to read Wild Swans

An amazing and shocking story about the true histor of China in the second half of the 20th century. Praise to the author and her family for allowing me to know Thier story.

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Stunning story

What a wonderful, heartbreaking, beautiful, and important story. I feel it's again growing in relevance. The story, the delivery, and the messages are all on point.

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  • pk
  • 11-08-2023

Cautionary story about life in extreme ideology

Must read book. Great personal account of how cult of peronlity combined with extreme ideology ruined millions of lives. That should be a school obligatory book to read so people don't make the same mistakes.

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Even better the second time around

I read this book when it first came out and like many other people, it disturbed me for months afterwards. Whilst it's depressing, heartbreaking, almost unbelievable to the westerner; it's also a triumph of spirit and strength of character for Jung Chang and her family to not only survive but to ultimately thrive post-Maoist China. Beautifully performed by Pik-sen Lim. Thoroughly recommended.

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Very informative

Brilliant book, amazing author. Hard to get into at spots as an overload of political information. However! Do not be put off! This is an incredible real story of 3 undoubtedly amazing women, you will be happy you finished it

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  • Guy
  • 07-07-2021

Fantastic

Really enjoyed the book from a historical and human perspective. I got a greater understanding of China and it’s politics.
Highly recommend.

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Wow! what an eye opener.

This book has really opened my eyes to communist China and it's history. It's absolutely terrifying! A really well written work with a great balance of historical context and story. it's been a few months since I read this and I'm still reflecting. The narration works well also and adds to the vibe.

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Highly recommended read!

I love this book, I have read it previously but the insights in this book always teach me something new.
I went to China after reading this book and I was amazed at how little of the history seemed to be known or at least talked about by the Chinese people I met.

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The original tell-all story of 20th century China

I read this book in school 20 years ago, and now I’ve listened to it again. Nothing else I’ve read in between provides such a vivid and personal insight into the turmoil and pain of China’s recent history

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Fascinating

This book is very long but flows well as you listen to it. The history described is fascinating and a very interesting, personal insight into the situation over this near 100 year period.

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