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Loading... Chinese Cinderella: The True Story of an Unwanted Daughterby Adeline Yen Mah
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will love Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. I can't say I "enjoyed" this book because it is a sad tale of an emotionally abused child struggling to survive against so many odds. However, I was thoroughly intrigued by the story and couldn't stop reading. Certainly this is an inspiration to those who think their own family background is uniquely cruel or unsupportive. An interesting look at Chinese culture and dysfunctional blended families. (  )1   iris1948 | Aug 28, 2009 |  This was the first book I ever read about life in China, and I think it was a pretty good introduction to the vast country and the many, many intricacies of its cultures. The author doesn't plead for the reader's pity, but I sympathized and felt for naturally, which I really enjoyed. (  ) unlikelyaristotle | Aug 2, 2009 | This book was quite inspiring to me, I did have to read it because of School but it wasn't just a book I had to read. I enjoyed it very much. I think it's a must read. After her mother dies giving birth to her, Adeline’s affluent, powerful family considers her bad luck. Life does not get any easier when her father remarries. She and her siblings are subjected to their stepmother’s disdain, while her half brother and half sister are thoroughly spoiled. Although Adeline wins prizes at school, they are not what she really yearns for the love and understanding of her family. MiSzExkLuSiiVeE | Jul 29, 2009 | Because teens can become engrossed with fair play, will quickly become attached to both the main character and the book itself. teachak | Jul 3, 2009 | Adeline's mother dies giving birth to her and from that moment on she is considered bad luck. When her Father remarries the beautiful and worldly Niang, things get worse. Her Father and Niang have two children together and treat Adeline and her brothers and sisters from the previous marriage as second class citizens. They are not allowed to share the same living quareters or have nice clothes. Adeline is continually sent from one boarding school to the next. She never lets any of her friends in on her horrible home life. She devotes herself to her studies and wins many awards hoping to win her Father's praise. Follow the story of Adeline's life and pursuit for acceptance and love. ( ) leahboyer | May 29, 2009 |  no reviews | add a review
Amazon.com (ISBN 0440228654, Mass Market Paperback)Chinese Cinderella is the perfect title for Adeline Yen Mah's compelling autobiography in which, like the fairy-tale maiden, her childhood was ruled by a cruel stepmother. "Fifth Younger Sister" or "Wu Mei," as Yen Mah was called, is only an infant when her father remarries after her mother's death. As the youngest of her five siblings, Wu Mei suffers the worst at the hands of her stepmother Niang. She is denied carfare, frequently forgotten at school at the end of the day, and whipped for daring to attend a classmate's birthday party against Niang's wishes. Her father even forgets the spelling of her name when filling out her school enrollment record. In her loneliness, Wu Mei turns to books for company: "I was alone with my beloved books. What bliss! To be left in peace with Cordelia, Regan, Gonoril, and Lear himself--characters more real than my family... What happiness! What comfort!" Even though Wu Mei is repeatedly moved up to grades above those of her peers, it is only when she wins an international play-writing contest in high school that her father finally takes notice and grants her wish to attend college in England. Despite her parent's heartbreaking neglect, she eventually becomes a doctor and realizes her dream of being a writer.Teens, with their passionate convictions and strong sense of fair play, will be immediately enveloped in the gross injustice of Adeline Yen Mah's story. A complete glossary, historical notes on the state of Chinese society and politics during Yen Mah's childhood, and the legend of the original Chinese Cinderella round out this stirring testimony to the strength of human character and the power of education. (Ages 10 to 15) --Jennifer Hubert (retrieved from Amazon Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:57:53 -0400) The first test round has been closed. Visit the Open Shelves Classification group for details. |
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