The must-read sequel to Wild Swans (1991), this new book from Jung Chang follows what happened in her life since, with a recap of some material. As it’s 18 years since I read Wild Swans, I don’t remember how much of it is the author’s life and whether there is a lot of overlap here, but there is enough new content to make this a very worthwhile read. The book is a testament to the strength of her mother in particular but also to everyone selflessly in pursuit of the truth about China today and in the past. Inevitably, Jung Chang’s work was banned in China and people found with pirated copies were punished. It was after researching, with her husband, a biography of Mao that state security tightened so much that eventually, in recent years, she cannot go back to see her elderly mother one last time.

Although I still find the politics of China confusing, I was generally able to follow the content, which was packed with sad, brutal and amazing stories. There are flashbacks to her own story, as her travels around modern China bring back painful memories. The book is quite long and sometimes repetitive, but the writing always kept me interested.

Published in 2025 by William Collins.