Rating: 
Summary: a heartwrenching and engrossing read
Review: Falling Leaves is one of the most powerful books I've come across in a long time. Yen Mah's writing style is eloquent and lucid, and the prose is interwoven with Chinese proverbs that force the reader to contemplate thoughts philosophical in nature. I was seething with anger at Adeline's maltreatment by her step-mother and the societal oppression of women, and moved by her desire for acceptance. Not only does the author provide an intriguing look at familial relations, but offers the Western reader an opportunity to understand how culture guides such relations. For anyone wishing to better understand Asian families, Falling Leaves is a must.
Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Story!
Review: In 1937, Adeline Yen Mah's mother died giving birth to her. Because of this, she was considered "bad luck", tormented by her siblings and shunned by her father. Her father soon remarried a beautiful, young Eurasian woman who was cruel and manipulative. She treated all five of her stepchildren badly, but saved her real hatred for Adeline. Falling Leaves is the powerful, riveting memoir of emotional abuse and isolation that Ms Yen Mah suffered at the hands of her stepmother. At this point, most would say, "Why would I want to torture myself by reading a book about child abuse?" The answer is simple...Adeline Yen Mah didn't just survive her childhood, she triumphed. With great wisdom and insight, she tells a story not just about her life, but the life of China, before and after the cultural revolution and how both were changed forever. Despite her miserable childhood, she excelled, became a doctor, married and found freedom and a new life in America. This is an amazing, compelling story, told by an amazing woman who was not only able to put the past behind her, but was able to celebrate life and move forward.
Rating:
Summary: An Amazing story of overcoming a horrible childhood!
Review: My Grandmother read it and then I did. I am 17 and I had feelings towards it. I enjoyed learning about the culture, the triumphs of the author. A perfect summer book that you won't be able to put down.
Rating:
Summary: Out of extreme adversity arises inner strength
Review: Every individual has felt the sting of rejection in life-- whether it be in the form of relationships, careers and the like. It is an almost inevitable constituent of life, and in most cases, a majority of individuals eventually "forgive and forget" the incidence(s). Adeline Yen Mah's novel, "Fallen Leaves" however, focused upon a deeper, more searing form of rejection-- the feelings of utter loneliness seen through the eyes of a Chinese daughter growing up in a traditional Chinese family.In an effort not to be too revealing about the plot, Yen Mah's novel traces her life as she dealt and struggled to overcome the feelings of rejection and isolation that was rampant in not only hers, but other Chinese families during the early 1900s. During every second of her existence, Adeline was confronted by abuse, in both the mental and physical sense. She was humiliated, but fortunately, she still held the support and encouragement of several close family members who were able to expose the hidden goodness and potential which she held deep within her. But perhaps this was not the main motif of the book-- the most astounding aspect was Adeline's undying spirit-- her ability to place the pain, grief and embarassment behind her-- in so doing, she pulled herself to her feet and became a success. Adeline has defined the definition of perseverance, has embodied the ideal of tenacity, both of the mind and soul. She has epitomized the core meaning of a champion-- not so much in brute physical strength, but more so in the spiritual realm. Truly, Adeline's spirit is one which no gold medal will ever be able to replace.
Rating: 
Summary: The ties that bind
Review: This autobiography proves that someone can be very intelligent and successful, yet still be insecure enough to make poor choices (the author married her first husband upon 6 weeks acquaintance and she stayed with him despite battering) and unable to simply turn away from a spiteful, suspicious family. The historical material on China was excellent and I found it particularly interesting that Adeline's father survived and prospered under all regimes. I also was incredulous that she could serve so well in the hospital when her home life was in such turmoil. She is certainly a strong woman, exemplary in her treatment of her aunt (who really deserved her love), yet she could not get rid of the wish to please her father. Readers should enjoy seeing Adeline triumph and attain "a peaceful serenity"
Rating:
Summary: heart-touching and riviting
Review: A sigh was all I could surpress out of myself when I read this book and finished it. As part of my summer reading under Biography I chose this book, not even thinking of what would lay ahead. Out of all the books I have ever read in my life I found this to be the upmost best and touching. I've never cried over the events in books and in this one I found myself bawling. Certain times in the book I would actually yell and curse towards Adeline's horrid family and the brutality they've given her to remember them. I have traveled with Adeline through her hard life like an injured bird surviving a storm, only to come out stronger in the end seeing the light. And like in any good book I found myself pondering about the character and the life of it--only to realize this is a real person. I would love for the day to meet Adeline Yen Mah, but for now I enjoy her sharing her life with the world.
Rating: 
Summary: tearjerker
Review: I thought this book was a tearjerker because there are many terrible things happening throughout and a couple deaths. Everyone in need of a good break from life should read this book. It will make everyone with a loving family appreciate life a litte more. Though I read this book because it was on the summer reading list, it was the best summer reading book I've ever read. I can picture this story as a movie. I hope there will be one!
Rating:
Summary: inspiring
Review: Beautifully written, sad and true, yet inspiring because the author perseveres. Adeline Yen Mah perfectly blends the telling of her story with the historic events that took place.
Rating:
Summary: A must read!
Review: having only finished the book about 15 minutes ago i felt i must go and tell others how good this book is, i really recommend it. As i read through the book i felt more and more admiration and respect for adeline, for her strong will to do well despite all her misfortune. She was the fifth younger daughter who was blamed for the death of her mother and so always was the one in the family that everyone blamed. Throughout her childhood she did no wrong, trying to be loved,accepted and noticed throughout her younger years and even her adult years. Sadly she suffered terrible abuse from most members of the family especially her wicked evil stepmother je-anne (niang). She was extremely clever but never once encouraged to do well and never congratulated for doing well. The only thing which drove adeline on through many difficult courses to become a successful doctor was her amazing will to do well-not for herself but to make her parents proud of her. i found this book easily readable and told in a way which is not looking for pity. A MUST READ! full of emotion, at some bits unbeleivable at what a poor innocent little chinese girl was faced with.
Rating:
Summary: A lesson in money and Chinese family ties
Review: Adeline Yen Mah has achieved a formidable feat of memory and the reader's heart goes out to her for the pain and emotional suffering she had gone through as a child and an adult. The fact that she survived all the persecution by her family (her own "bones and flesh") is remarkable. One also gets a glimpse into the moneyed world of the immigrant Chinese and the machinations of the evil hand of wealth. Her writing in crisp and clear, making the book extremely readable. The chapter titles of Chinese idioms are most apt. However, there are flaws and the main failing is the lack of depth and exploration into the characters. The book is merely one person's biased point of view. It would be far more enriching to delve a little more into the book's cast, especially the siblings who played critical roles in Adeline's adult life. Her lucid writing style veers towards a history book, hence rather short on character and mood. Nevertheless, the book succeeds rather well as a straight-forward account of a daughter's plight for recognition and love.
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