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

Jan de Vries · 2026-07-03

Jung Chang, the celebrated author of "Wild Swans," recently sat down for a conversation that peeled back the layers of her life and work. She talked about her latest book, "Fly," the city of London, and the deep personal history that shapes her writing. If you've ever wondered how an author turns painful family memories into a global bestseller, this is for you. Chang's story is one of resilience. She grew up during China's Cultural Revolution, a time of immense upheaval. Her mother, a doctor and a survivor of political persecution, became the heart of "Wild Swans." That book, which sold millions, isn't just a family saga. It's a window into a century of Chinese history told through the eyes of three women. ### London as a Creative Haven London plays a huge role in Chang's writing life. She moved there decades ago and found a place where she could think freely. "London gave me the space to write without fear," she explained. The city's libraries, its quiet corners, and its mix of cultures all fuel her work. But it's not just about the physical space. London also gave her distance. From there, she could look back at China with a clearer lens. That distance helped her turn raw memories into stories that feel both personal and universal. ### The Weight of Exile Exile is a recurring theme in Chang's life and books. She doesn't shy away from the pain of being separated from her homeland. "Exile is a strange thing," she said. "It's a loss, but it can also be a gift." That tension shows up in her writing. Her characters often struggle with where they belong, just as she did. For Chang, exile isn't just physical. It's emotional too. She writes about the distance between generations, the gap between her mother's experiences and her own. That gap is where her best stories come from. ### Preserving Historical Truth One of Chang's biggest missions is keeping history alive. She believes that personal stories are the best way to do that. "History isn't just dates and events," she said. "It's the small moments, the daily struggles." That's why she focuses on her family's past. Their stories are a thread connecting readers to a bigger picture. She's careful to stay true to what happened. "I don't invent," she said. "I research, I listen, and I write what I know." That commitment to truth is why her books feel so real. It's also why they've been translated into so many languages. ### The Mother Who Made It Possible Chang's mother is the unsung hero of "Wild Swans." She was a strong woman who survived prison, torture, and separation from her children. Her story is one of courage, but also of sacrifice. "Without her, there would be no book," Chang said. Writing about her mother wasn't easy. It meant revisiting painful memories. But Chang felt it was necessary. "Her story needed to be told," she said. "It's part of a larger truth." That truth has resonated with readers worldwide, from students in New York to families in London. ### Why Chang's Work Matters Now In a world where facts are often twisted, Chang's dedication to truth is refreshing. Her books remind us that history is fragile. If we don't write it down, it can disappear. That's why she keeps writing, even when it's hard. She also wants to inspire others to tell their own stories. "Everyone has a story worth telling," she said. "You just have to find the courage to start." For Chang, that courage came from her mother. Now, she's passing it on to a new generation. ### Final Thoughts Jung Chang's conversation was a reminder of the power of personal history. From London to Beijing, her journey shows that the best stories come from real lives. Whether you're a writer or just a reader, there's something to learn from her approach: be honest, be brave, and never forget where you came from.