Published: 01/03/2012
A landmark work of life writing, Wild Swans was hailed as a classic upon publication and its reputation has only grown in the intervening decades. For many in the West, Chang’s account of three generations of Chinese women through the tumult of the twentieth century was the first true insight they had into a closed, exotic culture. Harrowing, compelling and educative, Wild Swans is, quite simply, a masterpiece.
Shortlisted for the British Book Awards 30 from 30 Award 2020
Few books have had such an impact as Wild Swans: a popular bestseller which has sold more than 13 million copies and a critically acclaimed history of China; a tragic tale of nightmarish cruelty and an uplifting story of bravery and survival.
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 which is extraordinary in every way.
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN: 9780007463404
Number of pages: 720
Weight: 520 g
Dimensions: 198 x 129 x 46 mm
MEDIA REVIEWS
'It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of this book.' - Mary Wesley
'Everything about Wild Swans is extraordinary. It arouses all the emotions, such as pity and terror, that great tragedy is supposed to evoke, and also a complex mixture of admiration, despair and delight at seeing a luminous intelligence directed at the heart of darkness.' - Minette Marrin, Sunday Telegraph
'Immensely moving and unsettling; an unforgettable portrait of the brain-death of a nation.' - J. G. Ballard, 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.' - Martin Amis, Independent on Sunday
'There has never been a book like this.' - Edward Behr, Los Angeles Times
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“Strongly urge you to read this.”
I was lucky enough to read this 25 years ago when it was first published.
This is by far the best book I have ever read and it always surprises me how few people have heard of it.
Highly recommended
“Immense”
It's difficult to put into words the immense journey that Jung Chang, her mother and grandmother have been through. The generations have seen changes in power, changes in law and the things you think of as being... More
“My favourite book ever!”
Thanks to Fiona for making me buy this book quite a while ago now. I loved every page and I think this is probably the best book that I have ever read. An essential guide to the Chinese Cultural Revolution and its... More
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