Falling Leaves : The Memoir of an Unwanted Chinese Daughter

Rating:
Summary: I couldn't put it down!
Review: I could not put Falling Leaves down, yet I kept wondering what the other side of Adelines relationships were. Her story of being victomized by most members of her family, by her college professor/boyfriend in England, ex-husband, sisters and long lost nephews and neices made me a little suspicious that there is another side to her story, let alone her story of stepmother and father treatment of her. I know there is another side to this story. I also would like to know her own relationship with her own children. Besides these doubts of her one sided account,I found the history very interesting and I do admire her for her accomplishments!

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant - moving and touching
Review: This is honestly one of the best books I have ever read. It was a really moving book and showed the true nature of the human race

Rating:
Summary: Excellent autobiography.
Review: First, let's get one thing straight: you don't have to be Chinese or female to enjoy this book. I was very moved by the story of the author's life. The book is plainly written, straight from the heart, without any pretense. It's also a good account of 20th century China. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: compelling personal story set against an epic background
Review: Dr. Adeline Yen Mah tells a story that is, unfortunately, true for so many daughters growing up in China. She recalls seeing babies left in doorways wrapped in newspapers as a child -- abandoned to die because few families would "waste" their money on raising a daughter if it meant more could be given to a son. This is just one story, but it represents an entire generation of daughters whose lessons should be heard and whose courage should give us pause. Additionally, the backdrop of this story is a fascinating account, from a child's point of view, of Chinese history in the 20th century. This is an epic memoir -- one of the greatest books I have read in quite a while.

Rating:
Summary: superb biography of a land few in america truly know
Review: this lady has endured the most silent family her blame foisted on her by a french female is abominable and beyond repair she has managed toovercome these short shrifts and become an outstanding author and tells a vivid history of the most turbulent time for china the descriptions of the shanghai before and after the revolution is truly amazing

Rating:
Summary: not worth reading
Review: The initial chapters of the author's family history and childhood are compelling, but the book ends up dwelling in more detail that I care to know about the petty details of her adult family conflicts. The author is always right, with the purest of motives, etc. and I find her views highly suspect in the end. There is no real edification or inspiration at the conclusion of this tale. Merely the airing of a wealthy family's dirty linen.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding autobiography-- a universal & intimate account
Review: Falling Leaves left me breathless and more committed to empowering women and girls. It is an astounding account of how child abuse happens in the wealthiest of homes, all over the world even when everything looks "just fine." The author's strength and goodness against great odds is inspiring and is a tribute to the power of spirit. It is also evidence that the love of one person can save a child's emotional life.

Rating:
Summary: I couldn't put the book down!
Review: I could not put the book down once I opened it. I read for six hours. I know that Mah did not write the novel for revenge of what her step-mother did to her...but Mah did sweet revenge by writing Falling Leaves. Her step-mother will ALWAYS be remembered as known as a wicked, selfish, (and what ever bad words anyone can think of) subhuman being in the minds of the readers. Mah's work will help kids that are going through what she went through. Perhaps those who read her book will confront their step-parent and tell them off.

Rating:
Summary: CHILD ABUSE AT ITS WORST
Review: This story was very saddening and kept me gripped minute after minute,hour after hour. This is mental cruelty at its worst especially when it is bestowed upon a child (or children). It is unbelievable that a woman like Niang could have the affect, control and power to manipulate her husband and have him turn against his own children yet alone, his own father, who in actuality had been responsible for the family empire. One cannot help feeling contempt for this woman and her husband. I felt Joseph Yen, over time, could no longer control his own decisions and allowed this woman to have him betray his own flesh and blood and the other members of his family. Her bitterness and hatred drove apart her own children and practically destroyed the remaining Yen children. Adeline, if you should read this, I know God will punish those who have mentally scarred you. Niang's soul is damned and I hope God has spared your father's.

Rating:
Summary: A simple, honest and compelling autobiography
Review: From the first page, I couldn't put this book down. The writing was unpretentious, open and honest. This is a dangerous honesty, revealing the self that many of us leave hidden under layers of social pretence and defence. Not only does this leave her as vulnerable to attack from those as cold and cutting as her step-mother, but also reveals herself as an unfashionable subject. Hardship tales are trendy when they come from abject poverty and violence, bringing out the voyarism in the reader. Here, there is wealth and low grade physical abuse. Voyeurs will be disappointed. But the roots of the story are about the human need for love and social acceptance, by which we become people in a real sense. Congratulations to an author who not only had the courage to become herself, but also wrote it down so compellingly for us to learn.