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There is a Chinese proverb that says, "Falling leaves return to their roots." This return inspired a moving modern-day Cinderella story, chronicling a courageous woman's triumph over despair in her lifelong quest for acceptance, love, and understanding. Born in 1937 in Tianjin, Adeline Yen Mah was the youngest child in an affluent family. Despite her family's wealth and her father's esteemed reputation, Adeline faced severe emotional abuse from her siblings, who deemed her bad luck after their mother died giving birth to her. Her father's remarriage to a beautiful Eurasian woman, Niang, further complicated her life, as she was treated as a second-class citizen. Adeline found solace in her Aunt Baba's affection, which became her only refuge. Despite her difficult circumstances, she excelled academically. When the Red Army approached in 1949, her family moved to Hong Kong, where Adeline was sent to a boarding school, isolated from her family. Through her love for books and a determination to succeed, she sought to prove her worth to her family. Adeline ultimately overcame loneliness and rejection to build a successful medical career in the United States. Her story unfolds with stunning emotional power, capturing the indomitable human spirit amidst overwhelming challenges.
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Falling Leaves, Adeline Yen Mah
- Language
- Released
- 1998
- Binding
- (Hardcover)
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- Title
- Falling Leaves
- Subtitle
- The True Story of an Unwanted Chinese Daughter
- Language
- English
- Authors
- Adeline Yen Mah
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons, Inc
- Released
- 1998
- Format
- Hardcover
- Pages
- 278
- ISBN10
- 0471247421
- ISBN13
- 9780471247425
- Series
- Tags
- Non-Fiction, Historical Themes, History, True Stories, Biographies, Health & Medicine, Medicine, Family, Women, Autobiographies & Memoirs, Medicine, 20th century, Death, England, Asia, China, America, Revenge, Studying, Childhood, Siblings, Father, Hatred, Manipulation, Honor
- First published
- 2001
- Original title
- Falling Leaves
- Rating
- 3.9 out of 5
- Description
- There is a Chinese proverb that says, "Falling leaves return to their roots." This return inspired a moving modern-day Cinderella story, chronicling a courageous woman's triumph over despair in her lifelong quest for acceptance, love, and understanding. Born in 1937 in Tianjin, Adeline Yen Mah was the youngest child in an affluent family. Despite her family's wealth and her father's esteemed reputation, Adeline faced severe emotional abuse from her siblings, who deemed her bad luck after their mother died giving birth to her. Her father's remarriage to a beautiful Eurasian woman, Niang, further complicated her life, as she was treated as a second-class citizen. Adeline found solace in her Aunt Baba's affection, which became her only refuge. Despite her difficult circumstances, she excelled academically. When the Red Army approached in 1949, her family moved to Hong Kong, where Adeline was sent to a boarding school, isolated from her family. Through her love for books and a determination to succeed, she sought to prove her worth to her family. Adeline ultimately overcame loneliness and rejection to build a successful medical career in the United States. Her story unfolds with stunning emotional power, capturing the indomitable human spirit amidst overwhelming challenges.