Chinese Cinderella: The True Story of an Unwanted Daughter

by Adeline Yen Mah

Book Overview

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385327072
• ISBN13: 9780385327077
• Release Date: September 1999
• Publisher: Delacorte Press
• Length: 205 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.8" x 8.6"
• Age Range: 12 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 12

Customer Reviews

False advertising

Unfortunately the book cover did NOT match the cover of the book that I wanted. The cover also looks dirty ☹️. This is my first thirftbooks purchase and I’m very disappointed

Book not pictured

Wrong book. Marks all over it. Has a smell.

We have it so good.

I first read Adeline Yen Mah's book, Falling Leaves, and recognized Adeline Yen Mah's name when my sister gave me this book for Christmas. Few children in the West can fully understand what it means to go without, particularly the love of parents. Even when there isn't much money to go around, most of the families in the US or Bermuda still have family that do the best they can to make sure each child knows that they are an important part of the family. In other cultures, this isn't always the case as superstition can lead to believing that a newborn child left behind when a mother dies in childbirth is cursed. That was the case for Adeline. Her older siblings treated her brutily for "killing" their mother. Her step-mother wished she, and her full siblings, weren't around. And her father, her own father, didn't know her birthday, or could he even remember her real, Chinese name. In spite of being abandoned and mentally, emotionally and physically abused, Adeline proved that even the youngest child can rise above adversity. She knew that she had a responsibility to at least herself to apply herself to her studies to make something of herself so that she wouldn't be forced getting married at a young age and never finishing school, like her older sister. I encourage parents, especially mothers, to pick up a copy of this book for their children, especially their daughters. It will help children better understand the value of what they have and how to appreciate it so much more.

Adeline and her Chronicle of Courage

Chinese Cinderella, by Adeline Yen Mah is a beautifully written, tragic, and moving true story of an unwanted daughter. Adeline Yen Mah tells the story of her bitter childhood in a touching and powerful way that makes you fall into the book and hang onto every word. The book takes place in China at the end of W.W.II and during the time when Communism is invading. Adeline's mother dies giving birth to her and her family blames her for the death of her mother. Her father then marries an evil, powerful, and rich, French-Chinese woman who despises Adeline from the day they meet. The stepmother takes away everything dear to her (including the only person who ever loved her) and greatly favors her siblings over her. She tries to disown Adeline from the family. Throughout the book little Adeline shows tremendous courage overcoming struggles and hardships from the age of four. I highly recommend this book because of its captivating emotional detail and because of its China's history is woven into the story and hidden between lines. I also recommend the book because of the horrible truth that the story is real. Adeline Yen Mah describes her feelings about her situation so vividly, that it is almost like you can see into this little child's mind and heart. I truly respect her ability to reopen a wound that is not yet healed and bring these memories to the surface, while trying to find words to express them to the reader. For, example, when her parents (her father and her stepmother) first took her away from her home in Tianjin to go to Shanghai without her Aunt Baba, little Adeline is terrified and lonely. She walks the miles to school and when she waits for someone to pick her up and no one comes, she realizes that no one is going to take care of her and that she will have to find her way in the world herself (at age 5). She describes her pang of hurt that no one cares about her enough to make sure that she home, and that no one in her family realizes that she is missing. Also, histories of China's struggles at that time make the story more brilliant. Her grandfather Ye Ye explains to her about the situation in China and she realizes how bad it is and begins to worry at such a young age (because there is no one to worry for her). The book includes history about China's position in W.W.II and Japanese occupation, its trying to become capitalists (like the U.S.) and its people's struggles when Communism invades. Though in my opinion this book has no flaws, less advanced readers may find it confusing and complicated. Because it is a true story of real people in China, each character has a Chinese name (which can become very confusing). To avoid this problem Adeline Yen Mah uses names such as Big Sister, Second Brother, Third Brother, Fourth Brother, Fifth Sister, and Little Sister in replace of the characters real names. This may make the book difficult to follow, and therefor take the books captivating essence. This true tale of courage, loneliness, loyal

Great Book!

I really enjoyed reading this book. From the point I started reading this book I was compelled to reading it and would only hesitantly put it down. The book was easy to read and understand. I was always able to sympathize with the feelings that Adeline Yen Mah had as a child. I liked that the book was set in China and made me more familiar to Chinese history and life. It was fascinating how Adeline Yen Mah was able to write about her childhood without pitying herself for the bad incidents that happened in her life. I liked that as a child Adeline Yen Mah was always optimistic and positive about her future even though she went through very bad times. I wish the book would be longer and not end so abruptly. Because of reading this superb book I am almost certain that I will read her autobiography "Falling Leaves".