If you’ve read Falling Leaves, then make sure you read Chinese Cinderella for it presents the little triumphs of the unwanted.
Published in 1999, two years after Falling Leaves hit the book stands and took the world by anguish and scorn, Chinese American author Adeline Yen Mah came out with Chinese Cinderella: The Secret Story of an Unwanted Daughter, a more detailed account of her childhood until her foray into the world of medicine in England.
For a person who have been exposed to Chinese language and culture, reading the book was an affirmation and provided a classic example of how culture impacts the lives of the people. I lived in China for three years and stories of girl children being unfavored at home is not new to me. But still, reading this book brought out feelings of anger and frustration.
Adeline was born to a wealthy Chinese family. She was the fifth child but her mother died two weeks after she was born. Because of this circumstance, she was considered bad luck because as one of her older brothers would say: “You took mother away.”
Her father Joseph remarried to Eurasian woman named Jeanne Prosperi who gave Adeline and her four older siblings their English names. Joseph and Jeanne had two children, Franklin and Susan, who were lavishly provided with material things while a Adeline and her siblings were harshly treated.
It is a Cinderella story.
This autobiographical novel featured the many struggles Adeline had to face. The physical, emotional and mental abuse she underwent as a child is already unheard of in this modern society but this book tells us that it did happen and it may still be happening some here in this world, not necessarily in China.
Adeline was a little girl denied love and affection from her parents but found a safe haven in her Yeye (grandfather) and Aunt Baba. But even them were taken away from her.
Beyond the story of an unwanted daughter, Adeline presented how her love for words and writing took her out of the hole that she was in and brought her to a place where she was able to find herself and succeed far from the pain that her parents directed to her.
Winning an international playwriting competition took Adeline out of Hong Kong (after numerous moves from Tianjin and Shanghai in her young life) and sent her to Hong Kong where she studied medicine and became a doctor.
This is a story of a girl who did not let pain fully cloud her judgement of herself. Sure she has moments when she doubted but her tenacity, hardwork and perseverance along with a few people who supported her endeavors were contributing factors to her success.
When you read Chinese Cinderella, you are introduced to Chinese language and culture. Take advantage of that especially in the short language tutorial and cultural notes that the author provided in the introductory part of the novel.
Get ready to feel angry and sad for every trial thrown at Adeline. In all her little triumphs, you will feel connected to her and you can’t help but be her number one cheerleader as she moves forward with her life’s narration.
There is an Adeline in every person who was made to feel unwanted, not good enough or unloved. The challenge is to be like Adeline who made use of her strength as her ticket to success.
