Rating: 
Summary: A TUCHING STORY
Review: IT'S A GOOD STORY TO READING FOR EVERYONE. I WAS FINISHED THIS BOOK IN ONE SITTING,I JUST CAN'T PUT IT DOWN AND AWAY,I WAS RECOMMED IT TO ONE OF FRIEND OF MINE TO READED THIS BOOK NEXT DAY. BUT I THINK ADELINE YEN MAH CAN WRITE MORE CHINESE CULTURE AND BACKGROUND IN THAT ROCK PERIOD OF CHINA AND H.K SHE LIVES. WELL,IT'S STILL A GOOD BOOK TO READ.
Rating:
Summary: HARD TO PUT DOWN
Review: I loved the book. But, if she would have wrote alittle more about the other characters in the book it would have been a 10 star. I would have like to know more about Niang's life before meeting her husband. Niang's life as a child must have had its own secrets and abuse to be so abusive towards this family but mostly adeline. I also would have like to know more about Adeline's Aunt Baba. It seems to me that no matter how life is and in what situation we are in we always have someone that is a tressure to us and to Adeline it was her Aunt Baba. Thank you for this book. This is a must read.
Rating: 
Summary: Whining, self-laudatory drivel with illusions of grandeur
Review: When I first saw this book, I was excited to read it because I so loved Wild Swans, and I was eagerly looking forward to learning about an overlapping time period in China from a completely different perspective.Ugh, what a disappointment and waste of time and money. Mah tells her story from a very narrow perspective (her own, without any deep analysis) and gives very little context for her story, either personal or historic. She annoyingly portrays herself as a wonderful, gifted child who was innocently subjected to all sorts of maltreatment at the hands of her family, friends and various political regimes. This is the story of a girl who strives only for acceptance and love and, despite it all -- gosh darn it -- grows up to become a successful, well-adjusted, forgiving woman. Now while I agree that she suffered horrible neglect and psychological abuse by her family, her voice in this book grates on the nerves. She never tries to explore or develop the character of any of her relatives; all remain little more than flat caricatures. While the book had the potential to be a great saga of the rise and disintegration of an affluent Chinese family, it accomplishes little more than chronicling their petty politics and geographic moves. I did not develop any sense of affinity for or care about any of her characters, although the great aunt sounded fascinating -- too bad the reader doesn't get the opportunity to learn more about her. The only reason I finished this book was out of guilt for spending the money.
Rating: 
Summary: In dire need of a shrink
Review: First of all,I would like to say that I take offence at being tricked into buying this book. "Unwanted Chinese Daughter" is not at all what this book was about. It is an exploitive travesty to compare her poignantly bitter childhood to that of millions of abandoned or aborted Chinese girls . When I finished the book I could not help but feel that the Doctor is still in need of some serious therapy. Although she tries to finish off sounding serene and benevolent,the entire book screams of vengence and unresolved hostility. Her work is filled with conflicting and inconsistant memories. The comments accompanying the pictures of her siblings are still tainted with envy and pettiness are almost laughable. However,considering the trauma and alination she experienced as a little girl I suppose I really can't blame her. I only hope she does not become so indulgent of her past that she repeat the legacy of self absorbence with her own children whose presence is suprisingly and curiously hollow in her memoirs. All said, I still found the book facinating because of Dr Ma's glimpses of Old Shanghai and her universal tale of what humans are willing to put themselves and others through for material gain or emotional affection. I only wish Grand Aunt,Aunt Babba,and Susan could write their own memoirs and shed some light some very interesting histories. In terms of power and clarity this book does not come close to such great works as; Life and Death in Shanghai, Red Azaelas or Wild Swans.
Rating: 
Summary: A poignant memoir
Review: Falling Leaves is an extremely moving memoir. Dr.Mah endured a great deal of suffering, mentally and physically, throughout her life. I felt like I was witnessing every moment of her life with her vivid memories of the past. I had to put down the book many times to wipe away a sea of tears. I totally understand what Dr. Mah went through. Despite the pain she experienced, I hope Dr. Mah found some sort of closure writing Falling Leaves.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing threshold for pain and suffering
Review: The experiences of the author say so much about how one person can endure pain. For most people, it may seem ridiculous to be fooled more than once, but it happens....everytime. Mah is an epitome of a good-natured person. She has an eternal optimism that everything will end well, eventhough most in life turn out otherwise. It is a sad book, because no matter how hard she tried, she never really won the hearts of her family. And then again, this is another reality. It is even more touching to realize that a daughter of a rich Chinese entrepreneur, received so much less of what she truly deserves. When somebody from a poor famiy gets nothing, it is quite acceptable because the family doesn't have anything to give her to begin with. Whereas, Mah's experience, she was really deprived of wealth, comfort and love.
Rating:
Summary: An interesting story...
Review: I just finished this book for my book club and every one of us liked it. I think it's horrible for any child to be treated in the manner that Adeline and her siblings were treated. It's sad to know that it's actually not all that unusual, no matter what your economic background might be. I do think she was more fortunate than most in that she was able to go to England and study. What I really question is why she kept thinking that her father, Niang, and siblings were all going to change. I guess I see it as "Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me". She'd gotten away, moved to America, found Bob and had kids she adored. Why did she let these people back into her life? It seems to me that Susan was the only one to escape the emotional bondage that Niang held. The father is as much to blame as Niang. I just can't understand how anyone could treat children that way. I found much of the history she wrote about very interesting and I would recommend the book to others.
Rating:
Summary: A Heartbreaking Story of Survival
Review: Adeline Yen Mah has written a powerful, moving story of survival. It is an unforgettable tale of pain and suffering, but her sheer determination is expressed vividly in every word and image she creates.
Rating:
Summary: An autobiography of far too much self-pity.
Review: It is quite intersting and compelling. It did a pretty nice job in terms of leading the readers through the chaotic era of China. Yet, I found that Mah was filled with anger and frustration that were a bit blown out of proportion. During such period of time in China,a girl able to study abroad and got a medical degree, was no doubt a rare occurance. But she seemed to look at the negative sides of everything. Instead of really treasuring such opportunities, she was continously blaming others, Niang, her first husband,etc for her "unfortunate fate." However,I am sure there were people suffering much more than she was in China, both in the past and the present. I was reading the book to fill up some really boring days.If readers are interested in such kind of real life autobiography and history related novel of Chinese, I'd stronly recommend "Life and Death in Shanghai" which I found much more impactful. It was the book that I really couldn't put down.
Rating:
Summary: Emotional
Review: Falling Leaves is a book that I can recommend to any one I know. I allowed myself to feel the feelings Adeline was feeling and it brought up unpleasant memories of my own. Wonderfully written with beautiful Asian quotes. I am a white American with a huge interrest in Asian cultures, I find them so fascinating and this book reveales Chinese culture in an honest look through the eyes of a woman who lived a dreadful existance brought on by her own family. A remarkable story that takes you away to Adelines homeland and back through history. You will want to swoop this child up in your arms and rescue her from the hatred and neglect, but the pain she endures through life makes her the strong woman she is today. Falling Leaves is a journey...a great read!
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