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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
I usually don’t gravitate toward nonfiction, as I often struggle to stay focused—but Wild Swans was a powerful exception. This memoir offers a deeply personal and eye-opening perspective on Mao’s regime, portraying the horrifying extent of its totalitarian grip in a way I’d never encountered before. It’s both informative and emotionally impactful, making history come alive through the intimate stories of three generations of women.
What I appreciated most was how it reads like a novel: the writing is accessible and fluid, and the characters—especially the author’s mother—are drawn with such care that their stories feel vivid and compelling. Despite its density, it never felt dry or academic.
The only drawback for me was its length. It took me nearly a month to finish, whereas I typically finish a book every few days. That said, it was well worth the time and effort.
What I appreciated most was how it reads like a novel: the writing is accessible and fluid, and the characters—especially the author’s mother—are drawn with such care that their stories feel vivid and compelling. Despite its density, it never felt dry or academic.
The only drawback for me was its length. It took me nearly a month to finish, whereas I typically finish a book every few days. That said, it was well worth the time and effort.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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medium-paced
this was amazing, so much incredible political and historical insight melded seamlessly with personal memoir. i couldn’t put it down.
i was particularly struck by the story of Chang’s father and his obstinate desire to do good. his story was tragic and ultimately communicated the contradictions and failings of maoism.
i was particularly struck by the story of Chang’s father and his obstinate desire to do good. his story was tragic and ultimately communicated the contradictions and failings of maoism.
An incredible recount of the lives and hardships of three generations clinging to survival with their fingertips through Mao’s reign. While many of the trials that this family faced were completely soul-crushing, and there were other not-so-fortunate families who experienced even more devastating outcomes, this is still somehow a story of courage, strength, will to survive, and unbreakable spirit.
I found this book so effective at conveying a historical recount of events that happened during Mao’s reign such as The Great Leap and the Cultural Revolution, in a way that no textbook or Wikipedia page could describe. Learning about these events and their impact through the lens of the protagonist’s experiences was very stirring.
I would recommend this book to absolutely anyone. It was moving and powerful, and I don’t think there’s a person out there who would be able to put the book down once started.
I found this book so effective at conveying a historical recount of events that happened during Mao’s reign such as The Great Leap and the Cultural Revolution, in a way that no textbook or Wikipedia page could describe. Learning about these events and their impact through the lens of the protagonist’s experiences was very stirring.
I would recommend this book to absolutely anyone. It was moving and powerful, and I don’t think there’s a person out there who would be able to put the book down once started.
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
informative
sad
medium-paced
I read this book AFTER coming home from a two week trip to China. The trip came up suddenly and I didn't have time to do anything before I left but get my visa (as in travel document, not credit card). But this would certainly be a perfect book to read BEFORE going to China - I wished I had some local Chinese around to discuss it, though my experience was that only half of the guides I met would talk much beyond the party line, even in 1995. But I guess it's no wonder -- what a strange world they all live in!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced