Friday, July 23, 2004 , 8:57 PM
><))o> "Although Chinese Cinderella was written when I was in my late 50s, inside I am still the same little child yearning for the love of my parents." -Adenline Yen Mah
from top right: Adeline's big sister Lydia, big brother Gregory, 2nd brother Edgar, 3rd brother James, younger sister Susan, half-brother Franklin, Adeline and family pet Jackie.
Adeline's stepmum, Jeanne Prosperi.
Adeline Yen Mah, now.
#I have always saw Adenline Yen Mah's
Falling Leaves and
Chinese Cinderella placed in the best selling section at Orchard's Kinokuniya...been wanting to grab one of the books and indulge myself but i didn't particularly hunt for the book in libraries. A few days ago, i saw it in my school library and i borrowed the book.
#The book was about the author's life up to the age of 14. It was such a tragic account...she lost her mum when she was just 2 weeks old and her family considered her bad luck for the family. Her father remarried a half French- half Chinese lady by the name of Jeanne Prosperi. The lady became her and her 4 older siblings' stepmum. She discriminated against her and her siblings and favoured her own children only. And being 1 of the 7 children "bestowed" to her dad, the author was a relatively insignificant daughter in her father's eyes. Her father gave little notice to her...forgot her chinese name, forgot her birthday. Although her family was well off, she had to walk to school everyday...she didn't have beautiful toys and dolls like many other girls of her age and she wasn't allowed to invite friends to her house or vice versa (thanks to her evil stepmum!). Despite all odds, she worked hard with the sole aim of proving to everyone that she wasn't useless or stupid. Eventually, she paved a path of success for herself.
#The way the author wrote the book was honest and she touches me with all the intense sentiments that she had during those 14 years of misery. Mei Mei told me that she cried when she read the part about the letter to the author from the author's aunt BaBa (to whom she is very close with)...although i didn't shed tears for that section, i felt anger gushing through my veins when the author's father showed little sensitivity to her by testing their dog's obedience ( a german sherpherd by the name of Jackie) using the author's only friend, a little duckling by the name of Precious Little Thing. The duckling suffered a blow from the stupid dog and died....the author was devastated...one of her pillar of strength had came crashing down again...i felt the pain too...and i feel angry and upset for the author.
#After reading the book, i had only admiration for the author...she mastered the courage to brave all odds at such a young age....i didn't think she comtemplated suicide...which gained even more admiration from me....the book was so inspirational....unlike the normal books that you see today with ridiculous plots like "a single mum suffering from mid-life crisis and meets a laundry man that turns her life around",
Chinese Cinderella was penned with the heart of the author and in no way was the account flowered by exaggerated language or depictions. That is why the book is special. If you are looking for a book that touches your inner soul and brings out your emotions,
Chinese Cinderella provides just that form of escapade.
