Falling Leaves : The Memoir of an Unwanted Chinese Daughter

Rating:
Summary: GOOD BOOK
Review: In an age when many people are tired of hearing or reading about some whining failure blaming their parents for their lack of success, this is an inspirational story. The author's biological mother dies when she is quite young, a result of lack of proper care after giving birth to her. Her father falls hard for a grasping, conceited, beautiful woman and marries her. She becomes the step-mother from hell, determined that the world have no other purpose but to worship her. The author (Adeline) and her brothers immediately become second class citizens in the household, with Adeline on the lowest rung of the pecking order. The emotional abuse she endures is staggering. But, by directing her efforts to achieve her family's acceptance into her academic pursuits, she eventually becomes a successful doctor living (and living well) in the United States.
This tale is told in a plain, sensitive narrative, without hystrionics added. Adeline's story is compelling enough to stand on it's own, and the author seems to want to let the reader feel their own emotional horror as the story unfolds.
Another aspect of this book that makes it so interesting is the period in China's history that Adeline and her family lived through. It is by no means a central theme of the book, but hearing about the life of a wealthy Chinese family, set against the backdrop of the rise of Mao, the cultural revolution, the economic upheavel, and the changes that China undergoes during the course of this book make it all that much more interesting.
Don't be put off by the rather enigmatic chapter titles. After each chapter I could not help but reflect how appropriate each Chinese saying was for the events covered.
This is a book that whispers, rather than screams, that uplifts and challenges us, rather than blames.