smittenbyu | Falling Leaves: The Memoir of an Unwanted Chinese Daughter

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I completed reading Adeline Yen Mah's Falling Leaves: The Memoir of an Unwanted Chinese Daughter late last night. This is my firt memoir book that I have read. Well, Anne Frank was one that comes closest to it.

This was Adeline's story. It was about this woman who continued to fight and survive through whatever was thrown her way. I can't imagine families could be that cruel! Through her stories, the book also paints a picture of China and its history from 1930s through today and the impact it had on the people. Rather interesting look into their lives and their stories. A simply written book but still captivating enough to finish.

Now am off to read Gregory David Roberts' Shantaram

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From:

aliki.livejournal.com

I read that in 2006, and didn't like it that much.

I felt her writing was too self-appreciating, i.e. too much of "look at me! I'm a matyr!". Her autibiography made her out to be this selfless, giving, loving, fillial daughter. That she was so great and perfect and nice, and yet they kept treating her like dirt. In my experience, life is never that black and white. And life isn't so clear-cut good and evil.

From:

smittenbyu

I am glad I am not the only one who felt that way. But since I hadn't read any other people's memoirs I'd figured it would be mostly self-centered.

From:

aliki.livejournal.com

Try Frank McCourt. I liked both his books, Teacher Man and Angela's Ashes. He also went through a lot in his life, but it doesn't have that self-centered attitude.