94 pages • 3 hours read
Falling Leaves
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Book Brief
278
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
China • 1900s
1997
Adult
18+ years
950L
Super Short Summary
Falling Leaves by Adeline Yen Mah is an autobiography of a Chinese-American author, detailing her traumatic childhood marked by emotional abuse from her stepmother, her struggles under the Chinese concept of filial duty, and her experiences navigating life in the United States, including her troubled first marriage. The book examines broader sociocultural transformations and personal experiences within historic events from the late 19th to late 20th century. The book contains instances of emotional abuse and family conflict.
Melancholic
Challenging
Inspirational
Contemplative
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
30,126 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Falling Leaves by Adeline Yen Mah has been praised for its raw and poignant narrative of familial rejection and cultural clashes. Readers appreciate the historical and cultural insights into Chinese society. However, some critique the book's pacing and emotional heaviness. Overall, it's a compelling memoir that resonates deeply despite its somber tone.
Who Should Read Falling Leaves?
Falling Leaves by Adeline Yen Mah will captivate readers who appreciate memoirs about resilience and overcoming adversity. Those who enjoyed Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club or Jung Chang's Wild Swans will find this personal tale of a Chinese woman's struggles with family and cultural expectations particularly compelling.
30,126 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
278
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
China • 1900s
1997
Adult
18+ years
950L
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