June - Falling Leaves by Adeline Yen Mah (Website here)
Chosen by Ceri - average score 6
Meeting on 8th June at Sarah's
![Picture](/uploads/7/7/7/4/7774990/1334001807.jpg)
Born in 1937 in a port city a thousand miles north of Shanghai, Adeline Yen Mah was the youngest child of an affluent Chinese family who enjoyed rare privileges during a time of political and cultural upheaval. But wealth and position could not shield Adeline from a childhood of appalling emotional abuse at the hands of a cruel and manipulative Eurasian stepmother. Determined to survive through her enduring faith in family unity, Adeline struggled for independence as she moved from Hong Kong to England and eventually to the United States to become a physician and writer.
A compelling, painful, and ultimately triumphant story of a girl's journey into adulthood, Adeline's story is a testament to the most basic of human needs: acceptance, love, and understanding. With a powerful voice that speaks of the harsh realities of growing up female in a family and society that kept girls in emotional chains, Falling Leaves is a work of heartfelt intimacy and a rare authentic portrait of twentieth-century China.
A compelling, painful, and ultimately triumphant story of a girl's journey into adulthood, Adeline's story is a testament to the most basic of human needs: acceptance, love, and understanding. With a powerful voice that speaks of the harsh realities of growing up female in a family and society that kept girls in emotional chains, Falling Leaves is a work of heartfelt intimacy and a rare authentic portrait of twentieth-century China.
Bookworms' Verdicts
Ceri
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Always been interested in China, even went on a Chinese cookery course. 1st read this book about 10 years ago and it made quite an impact. Liked the insights in to China and Chinese culture. It is good to learn how other societies live.
Suspect parts may be exaggerated, particularly the character of the step-mother - is she really true. Wonders why Adeline never challenges her. Liked the heading of each chapter with its proverb in Chinese characters. Found the politics and historical aspects interesting. Didn't know some things particularly the 19th century history. Enjoyed the 2nd time as much as the 1st.
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8
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Sarah
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Enjoyed the book but felt it was a bit like a Chinese version of a Judi Picoult novel (Bookworms did "Plain Truth" in 2008). Found the history interesting. Adeline's story was certainly a case of nature triumphing over nurture. Couldn't understand why the author trusted her family over and over again only to be let down.
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6
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John
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Read a passage to illustrate how tedious and uninteresting he found most of the book. Just wasn't caught up in her story and didn't really care what happened to the various characters. This is only her side of the story and she spends a lot of time whinging. She didn't have anything to say about her own son or even her husband.
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3
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Tony
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Read the book twice and will read it again.. Found it interesting. It was down to earth telling the unvarnished truth. Was struck by the contrast between generations. The grandparents with the traditions and religious beliefs of old China contrasted with the grandchildren who were very Westernised and only seemed to be interested in making money. Found the parts about the Cultural Revolution to be interesting but gave me the creeps - what would have happened to me had I been there? Admired the character of Aunt Baba.
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8
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Jackie
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Read about 3-4 years ago and enjoyed it, but only got about a quarter of the way through this time and not interested enough to carry on.
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5
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Angela
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Struggled through the early chapters depicting the authors childhood. Didn't really want to read about such terrible attitudes and cruelty towards children.. Found all that horrible and didn't enjoy reading it.. Also was very put of the Chinese character as portrayed here. Everyone was just interested in jobs, money and status. Couldn't understand why no one stood up to the ghastly mother-in-law. Found the book interesting up to a point. Adeline worked very hard but didn't find that her story rang true.
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4
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Matt
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I have really enjoyed the book. Fascinating insight into China / Japan / Hong Kong's pre-war and compemporary history and cultural, social and industrial evolution. I enjoyed the "characters" in the book with Niang in particular a genuine boo-hiss baddie! I also liked the snippets of language / proverbs, etc.
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8
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Lisa
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Nick
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Marilyn
by email |
I didn't properly read Falling Leaves - it started OK but I got rather tired of it about halfway through -it was rather similar to another book I read some while ago. If I had been in a different mood or read it at another time I think I may have appreciated it more. I skimmed through the second half - not an enjoyable book really because of the content but more my fault for not committing to it than the book itself I think.
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