Book Review: ‘Fly, Wild Swans’ by Jung Chang

Book Title: Fly, Wild Swans
Author: Jung Chang
Publisher: William Collins
Number of Pages: 352
ISBN: 978-0008801007
Date Published: Sept. 16, 2025
Price: INR 399

Book Review

“Fly, Wild Swans” by Jung Chang is a heartfelt memoir that continues the story she began in ‘Wild Swans’. It follows her life, her family, and how modern Chinese history shaped all of them. The book is a moving tribute to her mother and tells the difficult stories of her grandmother and father during the Cultural Revolution. It also traces Jung Chang’s journey from revolutionary China to building a new life in freedom. Through her clear and emotional writing, she shows how political turmoil shaped not only her family but also her understanding of China under Xi Jinping. The book blends history, love, pain, and courage, making it both powerful and deeply personal.

The memoir explores themes like freedom of thought, creativity, and identity in an oppressive system. It shows how revolutionary ideals once promised change but ended up causing suffering and loss. Jung Chang describes the tension between family duty and political loyalty, and how these struggles defined her life and the Chinese diaspora. Her story highlights the strength of the human spirit—the ability to resist, to create, and to hope even when faced with control and censorship.

As a family saga, “Fly, Wild Swans” captures generations of history with honesty and emotional depth. Jung Chang’s writing is simple and intimate, offering readers an inside look at life under totalitarian rule and the cost of political persecution. Though she portrays many dark moments in China’s past, her story remains hopeful—showing how love, education, and resilience can help people overcome even the hardest times.

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While the book reflects Jung Chang’s personal views and emotions, which may not appeal to everyone, it is best read as a personal story rather than a full history of China. It builds on her earlier works and adds a fresh, emotional layer to her family’s journey. In the end, “Fly, Wild Swans” is a touching story of survival, identity, and freedom—an inspiring reminder of how courage and compassion can endure through generations.

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