1991's Wild Swans has been published in 37 languages and has sold more than 13 million copies (though it is still banned in mainland China). The book, by Jung Chang, tells the story of three generations of women in the author's family – grandmother, mother, and daughter – and narrates the tragic history of China in the twentieth century.
Jung Chang’s grandmother’s feet were bound when she was a child, and she was given to a warlord general as his concubine. As he lay dying, she fled with her infant daughter, who grew up to become active in the Communist movement and eventually became a senior official. Jung Chang herself, the third generation, was raised in the privileged circles of China’s Communist elite. She, however, had the audacity to question Mao. Her parents were denounced and tortured, and Jung Chang was exiled to the edge of the Himalayas.
Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China is a tale of extraordinary cruelty and bravery, of death and survival. Majestic in its scope and vivid in its description of China’s long nightmare, it is both an important work of history and a remarkable human document.
On the third Tuesday of every month, the Intergenerational Book Club, a group of men and women of all ages, comes together to share their opinions and ideas about the book selection. Extra copies of the books are purchased by the Friends of the Thomaston Public Library from the Annual Appeal funds. We thank you for your donations. All are welcome at the Thomaston Library on April 21st at 2:30 p.m.
If you live in Thomaston and would like to attend but need a ride, please call the library at 354-2453 a week before the discussion date.
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