I first read Jung Chang's 'Wild Swans' back in the mid-90's. It was essential reading at the time, and its revelations shocked me.
Lady M recently bought another (brand new) copy from a Charity Shop, which I am now reading for the second time.
The book covers the lives of three generations of Chinese women from the beginning of the last century to the end.
It describes atrocities committed by The Chinese, The Japanese, and The Russians, in the western Sichuan province. It is an extraordinary insight into life in 'modern' China; half of which took place during my own lifetime. It is a damning resumé of chaos, extortion, murder, torture, and the sexual inequalities of life under the different factions of communism.
I don't imagine that the book is sold in China; but it should be.
I see the book in the same light as Solzhenitsyn's 'The Gulag Archipelago'. Essential reading if one wants to understand much about Communist Russia. My late Father-in-Law was 'our man' in Moscow for a while, and much of what he experienced confirmed Solzhenitsyn's accounts. Not a lot has changed.
It's a long time since I read Wild Swans, and I'm being as shocked as I was previously. It begins with tales of 'foot binding', and ends with success at university and a visit to England; unimaginable at the beginning of the century. One chapter is entitled 'Daughter for Sale for 10 Kilos of Rice', which gives an inkling into the state of the nation.
It's a lengthy read, but if you have the time I recommend. But be prepared to be shocked.
I remember this book and the astonishment it aroused in me.
ReplyDeleteWe all knew that Communist China was cruel and repressive, but the fine details were really shocking. Reading the book for a second time is almost worse.
DeleteI don't think I am in the right frame of mind to read such a book but I don't doubt that it is excellent.
ReplyDeleteI need cheering up at the moment with all that is happening in this world.
It's both hard-going, and depressing, so not exactly a fun read.
DeleteMe too, reading about the Holocaust was enough for me, the world is already too depressing these days to be reading more about it.
DeleteA long time since I read this but I agree with you. perhaps time for a re read - though I tend not to read a book again as there are so many books new books that I want to read.
ReplyDeleteI'm just back from a very short dog-walk, and I noticed two daffodils in flower.
DeleteGood to hear you are mobile enough for a dog walk. Hope your recovery continues well
DeleteSome books are easy to read - they have a natural momentum and that is what I found with "Wild Swans". It was easy to turn the pages and keep turning. I read it years ago. I am pleased that you have championed it Crozier.
ReplyDeleteI find it quite hard-going. However, I continue to be fascinated by how nasty they can be to each other. It's a very bizarre society, and yet they are conquering the world commercially.
DeleteI have a feeling that I began this but never finished it, it was too depressing. I've read plenty of Solzhenitsyn - what an eye opener his books were!
ReplyDeleteWe have several Chinese shops in town and the Chinese who run them look like the most miserable people on the face of the earth!
I read The Gulag, and Cancer Ward; both were extremely depressing. But I suppose if we lived in Communist Russia, we'd be depressed too!
DeleteHistorically acts of inhumanity and brutality are present throughout the world. Some worse than others. Some ongoing today.
ReplyDeleteIt is Christmas and I'm not prepared to take away from the spirit of the holidays. I will the book to you.
I don't know why I'm reading it again myself. I'm not really enjoying it.
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