Adeline Yen Mah - Falling Leaves: The True Story of an Unwanted Chinese Daughter

Pros: great cultural and historical details, engrossing story
Cons: lacks a certain poetic touch at times

In a story set in mainland China before and after the 1949 Revolution, Adeline Yen Mah tells us about growing up doubly unwanted--as a step-child and as a youngest daughter whose mother died soon after giving birth. The early loss of her mother and the...

Pros: Interesting setting and historical context
Cons: Began losing sympathy toward main characters toward the end

After finishing this book, I heard The Beatles singing in my head, “…money can't buy me love.” Or as someone from my book club said, “Poor little rich girl.”

The author, Adeline Yen Mah, writes about growing up unwanted and emotionally...

Pros: An intelligent read. Interesting, particularly the cultural information.
Cons: I know people who've had it worse.

I liked this book. But I didn't love this book. Adeline Yen Mah, does a good job of chronicling her very interesting life. She overcame many obstacles in her quest to be an independent female Doctor. The fact that she accomplished this with her...

Pros: Gripping Story
Cons: Difficult to understand the cruelty of Yen Mah's parents

Because I have an interest in Asia (and China in particular), as well as an interest in the situation of women in our world, I put _Falling Leaves_ on my Christmas wish list. My husband kindly purchased this book for me, and it sat unread for a couple...

Pros: Easy reading, touching, great historical revelation of Chinese culture.
Cons: You will want to finish it in one sitting. I would have loved to have even greater detail of the events of the author's life.

Once you read the prologue to this book, I guarantee you that you will hang on every page. Adeline Yen Mah is a gripping storyteller who can make you feel a variety of emotions through this real life drama about growing up in a house where she is...

Pros: Compelling and tragic story of a brave little girl
Cons: No explanation why parents were so cruel

This heartbreaking autobiography reads like a novel in its detail and suspense. It scans the 20th century from China to the U.S. as it reveals the life of Adeline Yen Mah, youngest of five children and her younger more cherished step-brother and...

Pros: Inspirational autobiographical work.
Cons: Is heart-wrenching for the majority of the book.

Beginning with her childhood in China and ending with her adulthood in California, Adeline Yen Mah details her life journey in this tragic and heartbreakingly sad piece of work. Mah writes fairly easily, but there are times where her story feels stunted...

Pros: Beautifully written.
Cons: Left wanting more detail.

My aunt let me borrow this book. I read it in a very short time. Apparently my first time reviewing a book was in need of being edited..............
A book for adults or mature teens. A beautifully written story of a motherless girl (Adeline) born...

Pros: none at all
Cons: heart warming and hopeful story

Falling Leaves is the memoir of an unwanted chinese daughter. Adeline Yen Mah, the author of this heart warming book, has poured her heart into writing this book. It is a beautiful story about a chinese girl growing up in a family who couldn't learn to...