tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027299943447728658.post5641381589059483787..comments2023-10-10T20:43:00.969-04:00Comments on Books and Chocolate: Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung ChangKaren K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13483190930383406559noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027299943447728658.post-17535201635269038112013-10-30T22:49:35.393-04:002013-10-30T22:49:35.393-04:00I found this to be incredibly insightful and infor...I found this to be incredibly insightful and informative -- I really feel like I understand the situation in China much more. For example, why Communism really took hold, and and why Mao was basically worshiped in a godlike fashion. It explained a lot. An excellent read, I highly recommend it.Karen K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13483190930383406559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027299943447728658.post-25343438093310001492013-10-30T22:47:44.416-04:002013-10-30T22:47:44.416-04:00There's some terrible things that happen, but ...There's some terrible things that happen, but overall the book is pretty uplifting. I can definitely understand it might not be the right time -- I read a really depressing book about French POWs in Auschwitz this year and afterward I couldn't even consider reading anything remotely depressing. There's definitely a right and wrong time for a lot of books. Karen K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13483190930383406559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027299943447728658.post-48301200638635881962013-10-30T13:29:04.118-04:002013-10-30T13:29:04.118-04:00I've been so caught up in fiction lately, that...I've been so caught up in fiction lately, that my non-fiction reading has been suffering. I should put this book on my list for next year--I know so little about China (most of what I know comes from Amy Tan!) and this does sound interesting, but grim.JaneGShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11094501834387622997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027299943447728658.post-42458330640306923042013-10-30T13:04:18.541-04:002013-10-30T13:04:18.541-04:00My book club read this right before I joined, and ...My book club read this right before I joined, and they loved it. I haven't read it yet. You keep alluding to horrible events, though, and I am really in need of upbeat lit right now. So while this is on my TBR pile, your review is telling me to leave it there for a bit :)Col (Col Reads)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03136923310179832040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027299943447728658.post-58985422708133078782013-10-30T09:44:56.293-04:002013-10-30T09:44:56.293-04:00Some of the events are pretty shocking. I'm r...Some of the events are pretty shocking. I'm really glad that things seem to be getting better in China, in some ways at least. Karen K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13483190930383406559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027299943447728658.post-78553164076822990152013-10-30T09:43:39.061-04:002013-10-30T09:43:39.061-04:00Definitely one of my best reads this year! I'...Definitely one of my best reads this year! I'll have to look for the Mao biography also.Karen K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13483190930383406559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027299943447728658.post-13304672549399231292013-10-29T18:51:16.400-04:002013-10-29T18:51:16.400-04:00It's a long time since I read this - and I can...It's a long time since I read this - and I can't quite believe now that I did - but I'd say depressing and uplifting sums it up beautifully.FleurFisherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00096222149445024649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027299943447728658.post-86183608131332578412013-10-29T18:01:25.759-04:002013-10-29T18:01:25.759-04:00I just loved this book and have read it 2 or 3 tim...I just loved this book and have read it 2 or 3 times. Her biography of Mao is also excellent if you ever get a chance to try it.Sam (Tiny Library)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16375434438465319913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027299943447728658.post-68237291649973285392013-10-29T17:16:17.418-04:002013-10-29T17:16:17.418-04:00Sadly, I'm not surprised that it's still u...Sadly, I'm not surprised that it's still unavailable in China -- it's a very unflattering portrait of life in that time period. I know it's sold more than 10 million copies worldwide so far.Karen K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13483190930383406559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027299943447728658.post-28717321795011257112013-10-29T17:15:04.867-04:002013-10-29T17:15:04.867-04:00It's one of my top reads of the year -- I can&...It's one of my top reads of the year -- I can't believe I waited so long to read it.Karen K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13483190930383406559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027299943447728658.post-91398617602013600532013-10-29T17:11:28.426-04:002013-10-29T17:11:28.426-04:00It's very painful to read on times but neverth...It's very painful to read on times but nevertheless an astonishing book. My work colleagues in china had never heard of it - seems it is not available in the country even now. Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05415811109852633395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8027299943447728658.post-75281092591504318902013-10-29T05:10:09.178-04:002013-10-29T05:10:09.178-04:00great book! one of my favouritegreat book! one of my favouriteDespre mine si cartihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04682557453436277680noreply@blogger.com