Jung Chang, the Chinese-born author known for her acclaimed memoir *Wild Swans*, has shared insights into her literary influences and preferences in a recent interview. Born in Sichuan province in 1952 to Communist Party officials, Chang experienced firsthand the political upheavals of Maoist China. At 14, she joined the Red Guard, a youth movement aligned with Mao Zedong. However, her family’s fortunes shifted dramatically when her father publicly criticised Mao, leading to the humiliation and imprisonment of her parents. Following her father's political rehabilitation, Chang was able to leave China to pursue studies in London.

Her 1991 memoir *Wild Swans*, which traces three generations of her family through the turbulence of 20th-century China, achieved international bestseller status. Her latest work, *Fly, Wild Swans: My Mother, Myself and China*, continues the family story from 1978 onward. The new book is set to be released in paperback on Thursday.

Discussing her favourite books by deceased authors, Chang singled out Martin Amis, who passed away in 2023, for his unique contribution to English literature. She praised his essay collection *The War Against Cliché*, noting his rejection of ordinary and overused expressions in writing. Chang said she resonates with Amis’s idea that literature should challenge clichés not only of language but also of thought and emotion, describing his prose as remarkable for its originality and linguistic precision.

Among living authors, Chang cited Alan Bennett’s *A Life Like Other People’s* as a particularly moving work. She commended Bennett’s ability to render everyday family life both poignant and humorous, highlighting the way his writing provokes reflection on broader social and familial themes. She also recalled laughing out loud at the opening lines of Bennett’s *The Uncommon Reader*, which features a fictional encounter involving Queen Elizabeth II.

In addition, Chang expressed admiration for EM Delafield, an author she believes has been undervalued. She described Delafield’s writing style as intelligent, clear, and witty, praising *The Diary of a Provincial Lady* for its insightful depiction of early 20th-century British society and women’s roles. Chang also referenced Delafield’s 1937 work *The Provincial Lady in Russia* as a sharp and subtle portrayal of life under Stalinism, noting her wish that more foreign observers of authoritarian regimes wrote with similar clarity and nuance.

*Fly, Wild Swans* is published by William Collins and retails at £10.99 in paperback.