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Chinese Cinderella: The True Story of an Unwanted Daughter

Book 1 in the series:Chinese Cinderella

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"Chinese Cinderella: The True Story of an Unwanted Daughter" by Adeline Yen Mah tells the childhood story of a young Chinese girl living in an abusive household. The author describes her struggles of being mistreated by her stepmother and neglected by her father, yet finding strength to excel academically and rise above her circumstances. The writing style conveys strong emotions towards the characters, making readers feel inspired by the author's resilience and determination to create a better life for herself.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is poignant and accessible, engaging readers emotionally with simple yet evocative language.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around Adeline's challenging childhood in an abusive household, chronicling her fight for love and acceptance amidst neglect and favoritism.

Setting:

The setting is 1940s China, which influences the cultural and familial dynamics depicted in the story.

Pacing:

The pacing is mostly quick and engaging but slows down towards the conclusion, allowing for reflection.

Notes:

Chinese Cinderella is an autobiography by Adeline Yen Mah.
Adeline's mother died giving birth to her, leading her to be seen as bad luck.
She was mistreated by her abusive stepmother, Niang, and neglected by her father.
The story is set in China during the 1940s, a time of historical significance.
Themes of neglect, gender inequality, and superstition are prominent in the book.
Readers find Adeline's resilience and strength inspirational.
The writing beautifully captures strong emotions and connects with many readers.
The book uses Chinese language and cultural references, making it educational.
Adeline achieved high academic success despite her hardships, striving for her father's love.
Many readers have cried while reading the book due to its emotional depth.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains content that may be triggering due to themes of abuse, neglect, and familial trauma.

From The Publisher:

More than 800,000 copies in print!

From the author of critically acclaimed and bestselling memoir Falling Leaves, this is a poignant and moving true account of her childhood, growing up as an unloved daughter in 1940s China.

A Chinese proverb says, "Falling leaves return to their roots." In her own courageous voice, Adeline Yen Mah returns to her roots to tell the story of her painful childhood and her ultimate triumph in the face of despair.

Adeline's affluent, powerful family considers her bad luck after her mother dies giving birth to her, and life does not get any easier when her father remarries. Adeline and her siblings are subjected to the disdain of her stepmother, while her stepbrother and stepsister are spoiled with gifts and attention. Although Adeline wins prizes at school, they are not enough to compensate for what she really yearns for - the love and understanding of her family. Like the classic Cinderella story, this powerful memoir is a moving story of resilience and hope.

Includes an Author's Note, a 6-page photo insert, a historical note, and the Chinese text of the original Chinese Cinderella.

A PW BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

AN ALA-YALSA BEST BOOK FOR YOUNG ADULTS

"One of the most inspiring books I have ever read." -The Guardian

Ratings (6)

Loved It (4)
It Was OK (2)

Reader Stats (9):

Read It (6)
Want To Read (3)

About the Author:

Adeline Yen Mah was born in Tianjin, China and has lived in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and England. She is the author of the adult memoir Falling Leaves, which was a New York Times Bestseller and has sold over a million copies worldwide; Chinese Cinderella, her autobiography written for teens which has also sold over one million copies; and other novels. Adeline is Founder and President of the Falling Leaves Foundation, whose mission is to promote understanding between East and West and to provide funds for the study of China's history, language and culture. She and her husband have two children and live in California and London.

www.adelineyenmah.com

 
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