Jung Chang on London, Exile, and the Mother Behind Wild Swans

Jan de Vries · 2026-07-03

Jung Chang is a name that carries a lot of weight in the literary world, especially for anyone who's ever picked up a copy of *Wild Swans*. That book, which sold millions of copies worldwide, is more than just a memoir. It's a sweeping historical account of China's 20th century, told through the lives of three generations of women in her family. In a recent conversation, Chang opened up about her latest work, *Fly*, her time in London, the pain of exile, and the incredible mother who made her writing possible. Let's be honest, reading *Wild Swans* feels like sitting down with history itself. You don't just learn facts; you feel the weight of personal sacrifices and political upheaval. Chang's mother, Bao Qin, was a doctor and a revolutionary in her own right. She survived the brutal Cultural Revolution, and her stories formed the backbone of Chang's most famous book. Without her mother's resilience and willingness to share her past, *Wild Swans* simply wouldn't exist. ### London as a Creative Home Chang moved to London in the 1980s, and she credits the city with giving her the space to write freely. In her words, London offered a kind of intellectual refuge that China couldn't provide at the time. It's not just a backdrop in her life; it's a character in her story. The city's multicultural energy and its respect for individual expression allowed her to process her family's history without the constraints of political censorship. But living in exile isn't all about freedom. It's also about loss. Chang talks about the constant pull between her roots in China and her life in the UK. She describes it as a kind of dual existence, where you're always a little bit foreign, no matter where you are. That tension, though, is what fuels her writing. It gives her perspective. ### The Truth Behind the Words Preserving historical truth is a mission for Chang. She doesn't just write memoirs; she writes testimonies. In an age where misinformation spreads faster than wildfire, her commitment to accuracy feels more important than ever. She digs through archives, interviews family members, and cross-references every detail. It's painstaking work, but it's what separates her books from simple fiction. - **Family as a lens:** Chang uses her family's personal experiences to shed light on larger historical events, like the Cultural Revolution. - **Exile as a tool:** Living abroad gives her the emotional distance to write about painful memories without being overwhelmed. - **London's role:** The city provided a safe harbor where she could publish without fear of retaliation. ### How *Fly* Builds on Her Legacy Her latest book, *Fly*, continues this tradition. It's a deep dive into the life of her mother, but it also explores the concept of flight—both literal and metaphorical. Chang writes about how her mother escaped from a repressive system, and how that act of defiance shaped everything that followed. It's a story of survival, but also of hope. What's striking about Chang's work is how accessible it is. She doesn't use academic jargon or dense prose. She writes the way people talk, with emotion and clarity. That's why her books resonate with readers from all walks of life, not just history buffs. ### A Conversation Worth Listening To If you ever get the chance to hear Jung Chang speak, take it. She's not just an author; she's a witness to history. Her discussion about London, exile, and her mother is a reminder that the most powerful stories are often the ones closest to home. They're the ones that make you think, feel, and maybe even change how you see the world. In a time when so much of what we read feels disposable, Chang's work stands as a testament to the enduring power of truth. And that's something worth celebrating.