Wild Swans

By: Jung Chang

Narrated by: Pik-sen Lim

Length: 27 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

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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)

A powerful personal history of China

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

For an understanding of the last century of Chinese history, I believe this book is a must read.

What did you like best about this story?

It is difficult to imagine the society described in this book. Orwell's fictional 1984 pales in comparison to this personal and family history of life under communism and its predecessors. This story depicts unbelievable suffering and oppression. Man's inhumanity to man is laid out plainly in event after event.

What about Pik-sen Lim’s performance did you like?

Very well read, but felt a bit slow. However, it's a weighty story and the pace allowed me to keep up.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. It's too long, and the story is too oppressive to listen in one sitting for me. I listened in 4-5 hour chunks and that was sometimes hard to handle.

Fascinating history

What a great insight into life in China in the 1900s. Well written and read. Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have highly recommended it to many people.

The Reality behind the History.

I read Jung Chang's life story for the first time many years ago before I had my own family. I recently decided to listen to Wild Swans. Jung sketched a very vivid picture of her life ( and that of her mother and grandmother), whilst integrating the historical facts. This made the book gripping and informative. Not only do I now have a better understanding of the situation in China during that time but also grew in my empathy for people who face so many difficulties beyond their control. Jung kept a fine balance between telling her story objectively but added enough emotional information to take me with her and her family on their journey of sadness, anger, frustration and joy . The integration of the bigger picture history with the impact on her family circle made Wild Swans an unforgettable experience. Pik-sen Lim brought the book to life with very good narration and authentic Chinese pronunciations. #pastmeetpresent #heartfelt #China #multigenerational #Tagsgiving #Sweepstakes

A BOOK FOR THE AGES

A touching personal story/national history; reads like a novel; universal significance. I cried, too, Jung.

Fascinating

History through a personal journey - incredible Maoist China existed until and beyond 1976 - this and the authors Mao biography are illuminating reads for anyone interested in China

Extraordinary biografy/history book

The most extraordinary biography I ever read. An astonishing view over the China history of the XXth siecle, and critising opinion on Mao's era. I'm not very emotional when reading, but this one made me cry sometimes. The narrator it is just perfect for this great book

Amazing resilience.

Would you consider the audio edition of Wild Swans to be better than the print version?

I always like the audio versions better than print because if the narrator is good it transports you into the story.

What did you like best about this story?

The part of the story I liked best is the insight into a culture and country that I have not visited. Each generation was different in what they had to endure but it was horrifying at times.

What does Pik-sen Lim bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her voice brings the story to life in a way that reading can't come close to.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There is a real anguish when reading of what people endured and how different their lives are from generation to generation. It is better but not acceptable yet. Another nauseating example of mans inhumanity to man. I am amazed at how they came through such difficult circumstances but these truths are necessary to learn about. Appreciation for life comes from knowing these histories versus ignoring them.

Any additional comments?

Great story and plenty of historical facts. An eye opener and a definite read for those interested in other cultures.

Valuable story but too long

Sometimes got too detailed, drawn out and long. I think it’s more difficult to listen to the story with all the confusing, similar sounding names of different people than it would be if I were reading the book.

An astonishing gift

What a astonishing gift this book is. So brilliantly written and honest. It is as though I have journeyed to the very heart of China through the experiences if Jung Chang and her family.

I also feel that she has made me look at my own life anew even though I grew up in a completely different world in Zimbabwe in southern Africa. Thank you so much for sharing this with us all.

Eye opening, awe inspiring, heart wrenching...

I was on the edge of my seat the whole time... it's a must read if you know as little about the Hitler of China as I did. So respectfully and honestly written. Thank you for your courage!