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Falling Leaves: The Memoir of an Unwanted Chinese Daughter (平装)
by Adeline Yen Mah
| Category:
History & culture, China & Asia |
| Market price: ¥ 168.00
MSL price:
¥ 148.00
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| Stock:
In Stock |
MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
A compelling, painful, and ultimately triumphant story of a girl's journey into adulthood. Adeline's story is a testament to the most basic of human needs: acceptance, love, and understanding. |
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AllReviews |
1 Total 1 pages 10 items |
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Cox (MSL quote), USA
<2007-05-06 00:00>
I picked up this book during a holiday vacation at a relative's home. Being a medical professional with an interest in Asian culture, my aunt thought I would enjoy it. It was a fascinating look at the disaparity within the family - before stepmother and after; before the cultural revolution and after; and the success of some of the older female relatives balanced against the crushing patriarchy affecting the younger members of the family, especially the author. Her success is a tribute to her intelligence, ambition and willingness to go it alone, even if it meant possible disinheritance.
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Justin (MSL quote), USA
<2007-05-06 00:00>
I cannot improve upon Roz Levine's review, but I must add something. Adeline came from an amazing family-- her Grand Aunt founded a women's bank, and her people were literate. I said many prayers for her beloved Aunt Baba, who was the anchor and the sunlight to young Adeline while she suffered the mental gymnastics of her step mother, Niang, and the tauntings of her brothers and sisters. I wanted to go back and hug her beloved Yee Yee or grandfather, who suffered at the hands of a son (Adeline's father) who had come under the spell of an outwardly beautiful wife. Adeline had her own, ingrain sense of what was right and held her head together when her life was hell. Aunt Baba encouraged her reading and treasured her report cards in a safe place and encouraged her in every scholastic endeavor. While I wondered how she survived when most people would give up when separated from her dear aunt, she had enough sense of purpose to herself and perhaps her aunt to persevere and not quit pushing herself. She spoke of the idealism of Mao and how a German professor with whom she was in love talked to her about why it wouldn't work and why it was wrong. I look at her life with astonishment-- we trip over the little things, yet Adeline had mountains to leap over to succeed-- which she did. If I ever become a bibiotherapist, this is a book that I will use in a group setting. I cried and thanked God for Adeline making it because if anyone was given a bad set of life cards at birth, it was her, and she showed that perseverance and doing you best may take a while but that you can triumph.
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Blaine (MSL quote), USA
<2007-05-06 00:00>
Heard FALLING LEAVES by Adeline Yen Mah, the true story
of an unwanted daughter's childhood during the turbulent time
of the revolution in China.
It was very sad, yet surprisingly fascinating . . . also, it made me
have a greater appreciation for the term "dysfunctional family," in that
the author truly grew up in one . . . she also had to contend with a
wicked stepmother that made the one in Cinderella appear kindly
in comparison.
I particularly liked FALLING LEAVES for its insight into the culture
of China at the time, as well as for the fact that it presented an inspiring
story of how one woman could make it in the world despite many
problems that others would find insurmountable.
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Gumulauskis (MSL quote), USA
<2007-05-06 00:00>
I first saw this book on display at a major book seller when it first came out in paperback years ago. The subtitle "Memoirs of an unwanted Chinese daughter" caught my eyes--and my heart--but I didn't read the book until nearly seven years later.
I too felt unwanted as a daughter but Mah gave examples of the extreme fomrs of abandonment. The entire book, up to the last page, is about her struggle to make something of herself despite her disadvantage of being born a girl and being a stepdaughter.
Yet, Mah proved herself worthy enough to be sent to England to study medicine there, which gave her father a more humane image, and some sympathy, for the readers. That was his one way of showing her that he loved her, even though the father was spellbound by his second wife who controlled every facet of everyone's lives.
The problem with memoirs is that they are reflections of life from the author's perspective. One has to wonder if everything in the story is true. Where all the people in her life (minus the grandfather and aunt)so evil to cause her so much pain?
Mah became a successful doctor in California and her other brothers fared quite well also. The only trouble I had was that the author didn't seem to want to let go of her struggle despite her more recent successes. She is not giving herself time to heal because her pain and struggles are proving profitable to her now.
Family deaths and inheritance always bring out the worst in people. That happened in my own family when my own father passed away 4.5 years ago. But the pain I felt didn't force me to write a book about my childhood. It only convince me never to allow my next-of-kin to be railroaded by greedy funeral directors and the catholic church.
I would have felt better had the author given her father more credit for educating her. He got an honorable mention in the end but not enough to convince readers that her life has a happy ending even though it's apparent that it has ended well. But how is she as a wife and mother to her own family? One will never know as that is never mentioned. That is the real mystery of this book. |
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Benny (MSL quote), USA
<2007-05-06 00:00>
It is difficult to put down the book and go to bed, yet it is quite frustrating. I have given this book 4 stars because of its literary value and the historical background that comes alive and adds so much to the story of this family. It is a story of a little girl whose mother dies a few days after her birth and grows under the tyrant and cruel treatment of her beautiful and powerful step-mother. She craves for her father's love throughout her life even though she is showered with her grandfather's and aunt's unconditional love. She also has support of her brothers, especially one but this is not enough. She is sent to the best private schools, not wanting food, clothing or shelter. Her wealthy family sends her to medical school in England then later to the U.S. But this is not enough. We feel sorry for the little girl who lost her mother, but this stops when this girl becomes an adult and still allows her unloving step mother to rule her life. She calls to ask permission to marry. Her ungratefulness, her voluntary submission, her psychological demand for love diminish greatly the support we readers want to grant this girl. Even after she becomes a wealthy physician in California she still wants her share in her father's inheritance. By now she should be satisfied with her husband and children and career and disassociate with people she considered her enemies. I have more respect for her half-sister who left that poisonous family behind to live a dignified life. The author did not convince me that I should have compassion for her. Yet, it is a very well written story.
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Joan (MSL quote), USA
<2007-05-06 00:00>
This book is a look at a culture and a country. It was also a look at a family and relationships that just didn't work for any of the children but especially for one young girl, Adeline Yen Mah. Her respect for and commitment to be part of a family offered an insight into the culture. Her relationships with her siblings as a young girl and later as a successful women added a dimension to the cruelty she suffered from both of her parents.
This Chinese proverb described her life. "When leaves fall down they return to their roots". It was hard to understand why she would have even wanted to return to her roots. It seemed that the real roots in this family was her strength.
The time setting was in 1949 during the revolution in China. The impact of Mao on society was insightful and interesting. Her father's success under both the old and a new government in Hong Kong suggested that times might get better for the family but it didn't get better for Adeline. She did not find love with either her dad or her stepmother or really with any of her 6 brothers and sisters. An aunt offered her love and encouragement to leave. She did leave and came to the United States and had a happy marriage of her own. It was her insights and her success, seemingly against all odds, that was fascinating.
A well told story about a young girl and a successful woman who, after it all was completed, the only strength found was in her.
This book is one that I didn't want to put down. It left me anxious to find out what was coming.
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Naromu (MSL quote), USA
<2007-05-06 00:00>
Adeline Yen Mah was born in a well-placed, moneyed Chinese family prominent in the elite of Shanghai and later on in booming Hong Kong. Her mother died shortly after her birth, and she was always blamed for her death. Her father then married Niang, a beautiful Eurasian who is evil (particularly to Adeline), but nonetheless a formidable force in the Yen household.
Under Niang's harsh regime, her step-children become "second-class" citizens in the house, living in separate quaters. Adeline, encouraged by Aunt Baba, focuses especially on her studies, and eventually attends medical school abroad. Her "A-studded" report cards become symbols of a better future. Aunt Baba suffers a great deal during the Cultural Revolution, and this is worsened by Niang's cruelty. Her endurance till death mirrors that of Adeline, and their union in the end illustrates this.
A word often used in this book towards the end is "rapprochement", usually appearing italicized. This suggests sentiments of constantly wanting to be accepted by her family. This never happens, in spite of all her success and efforts of uniting a broken family. Her siblings plot against her, and she inherits nothing from her father's vast empire. This is indeed a testament of the human ability to endure in dire conditions.
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Stephanie (MSL quote), USA
<2007-05-06 00:00>
I just got to say that Falling Leaves is one of my absolute favorite books ever! Readers out there, who enjoy reading about the life of an author, then read Falling Leaves! This fabulous memoir is about the author, Adeline Yen Mah, and what she went through in her life. From her childhood to adulthood... every single line from every page draws you in, and you just can't stop reading!
Adeline Yen Mah had to fight through her entire life to survive from her family. After she was born, her mother died giving birth to her. Her father got married to an Eurasian woman, who treated Adeline so unfairly and uncaring. Because her mother died giving birth to her, Adeline's siblings also treated her like dirt. It felt like Adeline wasn't loved at all from her family. Because of her courage, intelligence, perseverance, love, and kindness, Adeline Yen Mah struggled for her own independence and survived a lot of obstacles and events throughout her terrible life.
I loved the beginning to the end of this spine-tingling memoir of a Chinese daughter who was unwanted from her own family. (Like it says in the title.) I truly felt how courageous and how really scared Mah was because of her awful childhood. She is obviously a role model and an inspiration to all the children who are unwanted and unloved from their own families like Mah was with hers. Mah can totally relate to those children.
Readers, now I think you can see why Falling Leaves is one of my favorite books of all time. Now it's your turn to read about the tragic childhood of Adeline Yen Mah. Enjoy! :)
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Reader (MSL quote), Thailand
<2007-05-06 00:00>
I got this book by accident. I saw it at the International Women's Club in Thailand. I thought I would take it home and give it a look see.
I am so glad I did.
The story was very informational. The history was thorough, and interesting. I was not able to put the book down. I enjoyed it so much I ordered more of her books.
Asian culture is interesting, incredible, and almost unbelieveable.
What this child went through at the hands of a horrible step-mother, I labeled as the highest level of abuse. At the age of 5 to be dropped off at school, and forced to walk home, is unthinkable and frightening. I just don't understand why this woman did not want her.
But the little girl perservered and became a proud doctor. She had troubles but she kept going. She did what she had to do, to be successful. The reason? SO HER FATHER WOULD LOVE HER AND BE PROUD OF HER. In the end her own siblings were just as cruel as they had learned to be from a cruel step mother. But she walked away rich in love and wealth. Message, no excuses are acceptable. If you want to be something, if you want to survive, you can. My mother use to say, "you got to have the want too."
This little girl did and it paid off , inspite of the hard circumstances.
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Nixie Pie (MSL quote), Australia
<2007-05-06 00:00>
After reading 'Chinese Cinderella' many years ago, I decided I would take a look at the "adult" version of this story, 'Falling Leaves'.
'Falling Leaves' is a remarkably moving story of Mah's horrific treatment by her stepmother in particular, and then those close to her, during not only her childhood, but her whole life. It's a story of a girl who constantly tries to be accepted within her family, but unfortunately to little avail.
Not only was China crumbling around her, but her childhood itself was too crumbling. Just when you think she's pulled herself out from each trap she falls into, someone else does something dispicable to her.
Mah's writing of this novel is very brave. She writes beautifully and her use of Chinese proverbs fits in nicely with the context of the story.
She seems to eventually take the viewpoint that life does go on, no matter how hard. She has so much courage and this story is exceptionally inspirational.
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1 Total 1 pages 10 items |
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