Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China in The Complete Idiots Guide to the Ultimate Reading List

Feb 07, 2009 Brooke rated it it was amazing

Shelves: book-group-recommends

Fascinating story of a three generations of women raised in China before, during and after the cultural revolution. I had resisted reading the book because it looked rather daunting (long) but it is a beautiful account of their lives under rather harsh circumstances. To me the real hero is the Grandmother, once the very young concubine of a Chinese War Lord who walks across China in her bound feet to be with her daughter who married a communist revolutionary and help raise their children (includ ...more

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Nov 18, 2023 Monica rated it liked it

Shelves: megan, 1001, ids-guide, donated

I would say I got more out of reading this in the context of an education of the rise of Communism in China, how population control and manipulation was utilized by Mao(ism), and the culture in China from 1910-1975ish than any real connection to the Chang family, which was what I believed and hoped I was getting into when I started this reading journey. I did learn/was reminded, about a lot of historical facts. The plight of the 3 generations was present but really seemed secondary.

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Apr 21, 2008 Natalie rated it really liked it

I really loved this book. I was amazed at the first hand account of the Mao "Cultural Revolution", and the cultural and personal and economic toll it took on that country. It was moving and educational too; things I like best in a book! ...more

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