Wild Swans cover art

Wild Swans

 Preview
Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Wild Swans

By: Jung Chang
Narrated by: Pik-Sen Lim
Try Premium Plus free

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $26.99

Buy Now for $26.99

About this listen

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 Globalflair Ltd, 2003 (P)2015 Bolinda Publishing China Inspiring Imperialism Thought-Provoking Socialism Imperial Japan

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)
All stars
Most relevant  
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.

Even better the second time around

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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

Very informative

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Really enjoyed the book from a historical and human perspective. I got a greater understanding of China and it’s politics.
Highly recommend.

Fantastic

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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.

Sorry I Waited so long to read Wild Swans

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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.

Stunning story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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.

Cautionary story about life in extreme ideology

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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.

Wow! what an eye opener.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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.

Highly recommended read!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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

The original tell-all story of 20th century China

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A very detailed, scary insight into leaders who believe they are gods and those that follow them. The destruction, cruelty and hardship endured should never be forgiven or forgotten. I could not stop listening as hard as it was at times.

Wow I had no idea…

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.