Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang
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Summary
In Wild Swans Jung Chang recounts the evocative, unsettling, and insistently gripping story of how three generations of women in her family fared in the political maelstrom of China during the 20th century. Chang's grandmother was a warlord's concubine. Her gently raised mother struggled with hardships in the early days of Mao's revolution and rose, like her husband, to a prominent position in the Communist Party before being denounced during the Cultural Revolution. Chang herself marched, worked, and breathed for Mao until doubt crept in over the excesses of his policies and purges. Born just a few decades apart, their lives overlap with the end of the warlords' regime and overthrow of the Japanese occupation, violent struggles between the Kuomintang and the Communists to carve up China, and, most poignant for the author, the vicious cycle of purges orchestrated by Chairman Mao that discredited and crushed millions of people, including her parents.
I've actually read/listened to "Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China" for the second time. I had read it around 20 years ago, and this time I decided to give it a listen.
This book is an absolute must-read for anyone who values freedom. It made me appreciate the rights we have been blessed with by God - the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
It serves as a powerful reminder that here in the United States, we must strive to ensure our government stays true to the principles outlined in the Constitution, while also staying true to our personal beliefs and showing love towards all humanity.
Oh my goodness! This audiobook is absolutely mind-blowing! It's an extraordinary combination of historical events and the personal experiences of three remarkable women during the tumultuous rule of China's leaders, particularly Mao. It really opened my eyes to the incredible freedom I've had the privilege of experiencing. The author's writing style is not flowery or superficial, but rather commanding and vividly descriptive. If you're looking to gain a deeper understanding of our world and the profound impact it has on the lives of those in China, then this book is an absolute must-read. I adored every moment of it.
I am speechless when it comes to expressing the immense suffering endured by the Chinese people, as revealed in this firsthand account. The author vividly recounts the personal histories of three generations of women and their families, offering a detailed portrayal of life prior to, during, and after the Cultural Revolution that we in the West have heard about. This book is undeniably crucial and necessary for understanding human history, serving as a timely warning against the dangerous influence of groupthink and brainwashing, the significant but costly price of personal responsibility, and the horrifying impact of oppression on all of us in this world. It has deepened my affection for the Chinese people and provided me with a greater comprehension of their current struggles. I cannot recommend this book enough, especially considering the exceptional and empathetic narration by what seems to be a native English speaker. I am now motivated to delve into Mao's writings. As Jung's mother astutely pointed out, it is crucial, even essential, that these stories be shared.
I tried multiple times to complete listening to this audiobook, but I just couldn't do it. The plot is uninteresting and it's made even worse by the narrator. Her voice lacks variation and she too seems disinterested in the story. If possible, I would return it.
Even though 'Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China' offers a fascinating glimpse into communist China, some readers may find it to be a bit dull. However, it is undeniably well-crafted, making it a worthwhile read for those who enjoy biographies.
This book truly had a profound impact on me, reshaping my entire worldview. It made me realize that when discussing oppressive countries, it's not the country itself that should be blamed, but rather its government. It's truly mind-boggling to understand the extent to which a handful of individuals can suppress the minds, lives, and liberties of countless people. I am grateful for this eye-opening gift that has completely changed the way I perceive the world.
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