Falling Leaves
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Falling Leaves
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by
S
(last edited Aug 25, 2016 11:30AM)
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rated it 4 stars
Jul 08, 2007 12:25PM
A friend gave this to me to read. I resisted it at first, not wanting to read yet another tragic life history, but I got hooked. It spanned 3 generations of chinese history, seen through the eyes of a bright young girl, and is a deep affirmation of a life lived and won with dignity and hope.
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I read it on the heels of reading Peony in Love and Snowflower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See, which were about life in ancient China. I didn't know if I was ready to delve into Chinese culture again, but because of Lisa See's detailed descriptions of the concept of filial piety, it helped me to understand the concept of an "unwanted daughter." Being the mother of 3 daughters and one son, I can't imagine any of them being unwanted! This was definitely a good memoir.
i only came to know about this book through a documentary that was screened on tv and set out to get this book i couldnt put it down and was instantly put into her world and her life , i found it totally absorbing and compelliing to read her thoughts and feeling as she went through this time in her life made me feel in some parts almost to tears when her duck was given over to the dog by her step mother i found the most heart renching of all , such a small thing but it was a gift she thought she had all of her own to love and feel loved ,but sadley was all too soon taken away by a manipulative and cruel step mother who tormented her all her child hood life she only wanted to feel love , dont we all want that , but she finally found a voice in her education her knowledge and found a good life , and so i read the next story
I was amazed at the depth of general hatred Adeline's stepmother had. She didn't just hate Adeline, but pretty much everyone she encountered. And in her final days was still able to manipulate the "puppets" in her life. I think Adeline's sister Lydia may just perpetuate the same treatment in her own family. So sad.
What is sad is that there are bitter,selfish people like the step mother that exist.The amount of forgiveness that Adeline was able to bestow on pretty much each member of her family was amazing and a good example to follow.
I loved reading this one. It was so heart warming and bittersweet. My heart broke for her everytime her stp mother would act all nice and friendly only to push her away once again. Or when she was punished for her good grades and becoming class president. So sad.
