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Wild Swans

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Wild Swans

By: Jung Chang
Narrated by: Pik-Sen Lim
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About this listen

 Few books have had such an impact as Wild Swans: a popular bestseller 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 which is extraordinary in every way.©1991 Globalflair Ltd, 2003 (P)2015 Bolinda Publishing China Inspiring Heartfelt Thought-Provoking Suspenseful Imperialism Socialism Soviet Union Imperial Japan War Russia

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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)
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Most relevant  
Absolutely amazing. My dad was born in 1941mainland China. This has explained a lot about his history. Which he never spoke about.
Very well read too.

👍👍👍

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I am so glad that the book was read by a Chinese speaker, rather than a person with a perfect English accent, because I think that it sounds like a much more authentic reading that way. Pik-sen reads the story beautifully. The book is breathtaking and a very sobering account of the experiences of three women in China during the Upheavals of the 20th century. it should be compulsory reading for every school child in the West. Maybe one day it will be compulsory reading for every school child in China

Excellent book, beautifully read.

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I loved this, after I realised what it was I was into. A brilliant history and something I had no idea about. And now I'm fascinated.
Brave writing, obviously.
Didn't like the narrator. But that shouldn't put you off. Definitely listen and take in what goes on on our planet that we have no idea about.

Learnt so much

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Eye-opening. Harrowing. This book brought 20th century China vividly, and painfully, to life. I had some knowledge of the history of China, but I felt like I lived it with this novel: I gained an insight into the experiences of everyday people, their thoughts and their suffering. Wild Swans is deeply moving, with a focus on personal memories set in an unprecedented political context. Everyone should read this book: it will change your perspective and open your mind; an ironic result considering the partisan nature of the Mao regime.

20th Century China Brought to Life

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I could not put this book down. It went with me from room to room as I heard the amazing story of these three courageous women, their trials and triumphs in a China I knew hardly anything about. The readers voice was perfect and very clear, so easy to listen to as I heard the horrors of Mao's China brought to life for me. The complete collapse of compassion and empathy among so many of the population was horrifying..

I truly think this book should be required reading in our schools so that children can learn how intelligent people can be turned into monsters under a charismatic despotic leader. I had no idea of the suffering of the Chinese under Mao. We were never told of much of what I learned here, and sadly even our leaders, including Kissenger were bamboozled.

This is a wonderfully powerful book and I am not surprised that it has received world wide accolades. A brilliant listen.

Quite the best book I have had from Audible

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I was hooked from the start til end. Some shocking insight into Communist China and an incredible story.

An incredibly interesting story

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I've never written a review on Audible before, but I feel compelled to do so after finishing Wild Swans. It is eye-opening and heart wrenching but well worth the listen.

Cannot recommend this highly enough

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I was totally engrossed in a different world. This story is beautifully told, gripping, heartbreaking and so full of triumph over real adversity.
The narration is excellent

Gripping and captivating

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I read the book soon after it was first published and was alarmed by the cruelty inflicted on the people of China. I enjoyed this book even more on Audible and would recommend it. I still feel horror for the Chinese people in Mao's lifetime.

Wild Swans

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I've purchased the paperback years ago .
I Would love to read it again and opted for an audio for my travels .
It is a wonderful book , suitable for all . Also , giving the true account of China history , I stop there ! This book will take you right into the story . Buy it !

Captivating story !

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