Helpful Score: 5
This is not the story of a poor Chinese girl who married a prince, but of a Chinese girl from a rich family who turned out well in spite of them. Most of the family had it in for her because her birth had caused the death of her mother; but her stepmother, Niang, was the worst of all and her father did nothing to protect her against Niang's capriciousness and spite. Not being in a position where I have to show any Oriental respect to her, I am happy to be able to say here that I found Niang a despicable, selfish, and incredibly cruel person. The writer's father was also terribly insensitive, but at least in the end, he recognized her literary achievements and decided to let her go to England and study to be a doctor. The postscript tells us that in the end her life was happy, and the reader will be glad I let that much slip out, because the rest of the book is full of frightful suffering. She must be in her 60's now and appears to be living in California.
Helpful Score: 4
One of my favorite books; it was sad and disturbing to read about how Adeline's stepmother treats her (and that her father allows it!), but it is inspiring and very interesting to read how Adeline survives and gets through a difficult time. I loved the part where she was talking about how she loved and kept re-reading the book The Little Princess.
Helpful Score: 4
I absolutely LOVED this book. This story made me cry in several places. You really don't know the situations in other peoples' lives. I think if young girls had to read books like this, maybe there wouldn't be so much violence among young girls. Just thinking out loud. Great for young people, including boys. I was intrigued on the complete story and decided to go further with her autobiography entitled "Falling Leaves." I tried to do a search on what has happened to the various siblings since the ending of "Falling Leaves," but there isn't anything online. When her siblings took advantage of her kindness through the years and then "disowned" her for a minor transgression (in my mind), I guess they really meant it!
Helpful Score: 3
Heartbreaking yet hopeful book of a young girl in China who was horribly mistreated and neglected by her family. But she overcomes in the end. A true story. Very good book!
Helpful Score: 3
I enjoyed the book a lot and want to read the other 2 by this author. It is a heartbreaking story that makes you wonder how people can be so cruel.
