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Wild Swans
- Narrated by: Pik-sen Lim
- Length: 27 hrs and 15 mins
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Wild Swans
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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 20th century.
Breathtaking in its scope, unforgettable in its descriptions, this is a masterpiece that is extraordinary in every way.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Rebecca
- 23-05-20
👍👍👍
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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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Taralouise
- 15-04-20
Excellent book, beautifully read.
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
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sarah Bland
- 08-11-19
Learnt so much
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.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Finn
- 13-07-19
20th Century China Brought to Life
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.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 09-09-19
An incredibly interesting story
I was hooked from the start til end. Some shocking insight into Communist China and an incredible story.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Danielle C Lee
- 22-09-16
Cannot recommend this highly enough
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.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- fotini
- 12-09-18
Quite the best book I have had from Audible
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.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anne R. Blankson-Hemans
- 14-12-18
Gripping and captivating
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
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- M. J. Kinvig
- 13-01-18
Wild Swans
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.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- lola
- 07-10-17
Captivating story !
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 !
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