Rating: 
Summary: The real tragedy doesn't lie within the book...
Review: Initially, when I began to read this book,the author's story held my attention. But somewhere along the way she lost it, and my sympathy as well. I thought that what bothered me most was how one sided her story is, how she only acknowledges her own struggles within her Chinese family. Why doesn't she acknowledge that the complexity of her family dynamics affected not only her but her siblings... did they not suffer as well? How are all of her motives and actions pure, while her brothers and sisters were pawns to Niang, her stepmother? If knowing her father cared for her was discovered by her inclusion in his will, is the money then so important? These are just a few issues that take away from the story, and make it shallow. Dr. Mah continues to be that misunderstood, unloved child in her retelling of her life history, and a child's perspective lacks depth. While I empathize with her pain,Dr. Mah chooses to see only the bad elements of her past. She had a number of wonderful opportunities provided by her parents. She had the love of her aunt. She had enough food to eat, clothes to wear, access to medicine and education - she had many provisions that a large number of people did not have. Dr. Mah has a good career, good marriage, and children. Instead of celebrating how she overcame her past, she chose to portray herself as a victim, which I find disappointing. The really sad part of this story is that she continues to allow herself be a victim. A book like this cannot help her relationship with the family members she professes to care for. She demonstrates a lack of the compassion and understanding towards her siblings that she desires for herself. This book declares Niang's ultimate triumph if she was really as sinister as Mah believes. I hope that readers will not confuse her story with what is to be a Chinese daughter within a Chinese family. The Chinese as people love their children - but like many western countries, males have consistently had a higher status within society. This story has less to do with being an unwanted Chinese daughter than about a terrible family situation, which can be found across all cultures and times.
Rating: 
Summary: Overall, Disappointing!!!
Review: Although I found the background of history to the story and its connection to her family interesting, I wasn't entranced or too empathetic w/ the author. First, the book jumps around and doesn't go too in-depth w/ seemingly important events in Dr. Mah's life. I was kind of confused when she jumped back and forth in time. I really didn't feel too much sympathy for her b/c she eventually lived a very good life and was given the basics in life. Her parents were showing the children how to live a life unspoiled although they were spoiled in the most part since they were so caught up in receiving inheritance in the end. What person would complain if they had good meals, a very nice home, a chauffeur and a better-than-average education overseas? Few get that opportunity and she felt neglected?! I can understand the feeling of loneliness she felt as a child, but she was a successful person in the end and that's what matters. Some of the events seemed a bit sugar-coated on the part of Dr. Mah which kind of makes you skeptical and wondering what the other family members might have said or felt about it. At first I was intrigued, but like another reader said, it was a sympathyfest.
Rating: 
Summary: A touching story of the ultimate survival in life.
Review: This is a true story of ones ability to survive the deepest pain in life; family rejection. As a child Adeline was surrounded primarily by negative behavior and treatment. She had one influence(Aunt Ba Ba)in her life who taught her self love. Adeline went on to be successful and maintained hope that she would someday find someone who would show the love she so strongly desired. Even when that love proved false, she still did not succumb to the evils of rejection that many people fall prey to and blame. Aldelie continued to hang on tight to the belief that love was somewhere deep in everyones heart. It was that belief that put her at the top in the end. Her siblings have the family money, but they will continue through thier lives being miserable because they missed what Adeline knew all along, love prevails.
Rating:
Summary: Irrestible story!
Review: I picked up this book by chance because the cover looked interesting. I really enjoy Amy Tan and hoped for a similar peek into the fascinating world view of China. I was NOT disappointed! Rich in detail, offering a fascinating "other side" perspective of some of the most momentous events of the 20th century, and psychologically GRIPPING, this book is a winner! You will find yourself identifying with Mah, and being pulled into her misery--and propelled by her fierce HOPE of final acceptance. I couldn't QUIT until I knew if I (I mean Mah!) was FINALLY going to be given my place in the universe. I finished the book in ONE SITTING!! (And no, I WON'T tell the ending--read it yourself!)
Rating: 
Summary: the truth hurts
Review: i think this is a very good book. my mother had a similar story - and it was interesting to know others have the same experience. my mother would have told the story in the same manner- unable to analyze her own feelings. Just like Dr. Mah, she tried to the very end (of her parents' life), to obtain their approval. I have never been able to understand this, howver Mah's book helped me to understand her needs better.
Rating:
Summary: Heartbreaking and disturbing
Review: A fine example of how a family can have so much and yet have so little. I believe Dr. Mah was victimized as much by her Chinese culture, which places great emphasis on filial devotion, saving face and family togetherness, as by Niang, who is a human nightmare! To a Westerner the obvious reaction would be "get over it", but, as is obvious from the narrative, it seems cultural values as well as the yearning for love and acceptance were a large part of what kept Adeline coming back for more. Very, very sad story.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely can't be put down...till it's over.
Review: Adeline Yen Mah's painfully real story of her childhood kept me up all night. It was so well written, I could feel the pain and all the other emotions embedded in her writing. A Must-Read!
Rating:
Summary: Chinese Cinderella!
Review: Could not put this book down! It's hard to believe so many can see someone being mistreated this horribly and not be able to help. Adeline does an excellent job demonstrating how regardless of accomplishments and possessions everyone needs love and acceptance. This book made me appreciate my parents and siblings regardless of our differences. I hope Adeline has been able to find happiness with her own family.
Rating:
Summary: Great story about 20th century Chinese culture.
Review: Adeline Yen Mah has written an absorbing story about her childhood in China. I found it very difficult to put down. It is the story of a Chinese family and how they dealt with all the political and cultural changes of this century, and how one daughter yearns for love and acceptance from her uncaring parents.
Rating:
Summary: doesn't leave your mind for days...
Review: This is truly an excellent read, both as memoirs and the writing and prose. Niang and her cruelty captivated my mind; this woman really existed, she really did these things. It's mind numbing to think a person is capable of doing that to a little girl, more importantly it makes me wonder what happened in her life to make her cruel, even when she was so young and first stepped into the picture at age 23. I want to read Niang's memoirs! I also wondered, as probably Adeline has wondered many times herself, what Adeline would be like if she had had a different, loving stepmother. This story of this one woman emphasized the impact someone's parents - Adeline no doubt will have scars on her spirit even when she is a very old woman put there many years ago by Niang at a tender age. Sorry, I didn't mean for this to be so long winded - but this book is most certainly worth reading.
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