For anyone to open their heart, they need the right atmosphere, and something to prompt them. For my mother it was her trip abroad: she was in a very relaxed, understanding environment. I was very sympathetic towards her. Jung Chang abroadatmosphereenvironment share on social
While I was writing Wild Swans I thought the famine was the result of economic mismanagement but during the research I realised that it was something more sinister. Jung Chang economicfaminemismanagement Change image and share on social
If children were brought up to become non-conformists it would only ruin their lives. So parents all over China who loved their children told them to do as Chairman Mao said. It was not possible to tell them anything else. Jung Chang bringchairmanchild share on social
I like to have Chinese furniture in my home as a constant and painful reminder of how much has been destroyed in China. The contrast between the beauty of the past and the ugliness of the modern is nowhere sharper than in China. Jung Chang beautychinachinese share on social
I no longer have the terrible nightmares that I used to have. Mao had just died in 1976, and China began to open up. For the first time scholarships to go to the West to study were awarded on academic merit. Jung Chang academicawardbegin share on social
I feel perhaps my heart is still in China. Jung Chang chinafeelheart Change image and share on social
In certain areas where the media are still controlled, the changes have come to a halt, which is a very frustrating situation. I would like the changes to take place throughout China. Jung Chang areachinacontrol Change image and share on social
Although my book is banned I am still allowed to go to China and travel. There is no longer the kind of control that Mao used to have-there have been deep fundamental changes in society. Jung Chang allowbanbook Change image and share on social
What has marked Chinese society is its level of cruelty, not just revolutions and wars. We ought to reject it totally, otherwise in another upheaval there will be further cruelty. Jung Chang chinesecrueltylevel Change image and share on social
