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tara_pikachu's review against another edition
4.0
History plus a powerful three-generational story. What more could one ask for? Favorite non-political book on Communist China.
stephxsu's review against another edition
4.0
WILD SWANS is my first serious foray into twentieth-century Chinese history. For one, I am not all that big on history and memoirs. For another, I have ambiguous feelings on contemporary China, due to my Taiwanese background and my current job in Shanghai. WILD SWANS, however, was an eye-opening look into the horrors of Mao’s China and the importance of keeping history—even the bad parts—in our memories.
Chang writes with a narration that is largely devoid of drama—the only way that a writer can give this horrifying historical period the respect and literary justice it deserves. At times this type of narration can make the distance between reader, writer, and events feel greater, but I appreciated this style for this tale: there is no need to play up the actual events of the Cultural Revolution with forced or extravantly elaborated prose. The result is that there is no writerly manipulation of emotions, instead just the clean human reaction to scenes of inhumane horror, and a strengthening of the bond of humanity between all sorts of readers.
Whether you’re not big on nonfiction but are interested in reading about twentieth-century Chinese history, or if you enjoy memoirs but know nothing about twentieth-century Chinese history, WILD SWANS will be a heart-wrenching and searing read.
Chang writes with a narration that is largely devoid of drama—the only way that a writer can give this horrifying historical period the respect and literary justice it deserves. At times this type of narration can make the distance between reader, writer, and events feel greater, but I appreciated this style for this tale: there is no need to play up the actual events of the Cultural Revolution with forced or extravantly elaborated prose. The result is that there is no writerly manipulation of emotions, instead just the clean human reaction to scenes of inhumane horror, and a strengthening of the bond of humanity between all sorts of readers.
Whether you’re not big on nonfiction but are interested in reading about twentieth-century Chinese history, or if you enjoy memoirs but know nothing about twentieth-century Chinese history, WILD SWANS will be a heart-wrenching and searing read.
iolandat's review against another edition
4.0
Os "Cisnes selvagens" dá-nos a conhecer a História da China ao longo do século XX que nos marca pelo pesadelo que os chineses passaram durante o governo de Mao após a instauração do regime comunista. Uma auto-biografia que relata os abusos ocorridos, passando por cima dos direitos humanos: a não garantia das necessidades básicas (comida, higiene, cuidados de saúde), falta de justiça e de liberdade de expressão, maus-tratos físicos e psicológicos e a sentença de morte. Uma história comovente e que nos deixa a reflectir.
gabmc's review against another edition
4.0
I learned so much from this beautifully written memoir about life in China in the twentieth century. Jung Chang starts this epic story by documenting her grandmother's life as a bound footed concubine to a warlord in China in the 1920s. As the battle between the Kuomintang and the Communists rages throughout China, her mother becomes a Communist and believes in Mao with the idealism of youth. Her parents become senior officials in the Communist Party and for a time, life is good. But with the beginning of the Cultural Revolution, everyone is under suspicion, even officials fully supportive to Mao's regime. Her parents fall from grace and are sent to 're-education' camps which are little more than gulags. By the time Mao dies in 1976, the author is in her early 20s and hoping to go to university. This book demonstrated to me the power of the human spirit and made me really sad for the millions who lost their lives. Definitely worth reading.
drskaninchen's review against another edition
4.0
I always love this kinds of accounts. It is history made personable. Maybe I was a bit too young when I read this (early teens) and I couldn't quite cope with intense scenes of warfare. However, I do remember that I felt througoutly engaged and at the same time learning a lot about China.
neuroqueer_af's review against another edition
5.0
Fascinating in its broad sweep of history, compelling in its nuanced characterization, Wild Swans is a tome for the ages.
playertwo0o's review against another edition
4.5
4.5/5 - hit so close to home. i did only decide to read this because at a dinner party a family friend said his 14 year old daughter had read this and i'm an academic overachiever.
i probably cried more reading this book than the entirety of last year - if i was holed away in my form room and MIA, i was reading this.
This did create some very interesting conversation with my parents about their and my grandparents past in China, especially how my grandparents met during the Cultural Revolution. As a BBC that had limited knowledge of Chinese history, this book was a catalyst into my deep delve research into the history, geography and all the dynasties.
I wouldn't take this as a pure factual telling; the instinct to protect family pride is deeply rooted.
peter_pjotter's review against another edition
5.0
Viewen history through the female bloodline gives an unique view of the 20th centry Chinese history. Insightfull and personal storys make history come alive.