Falling leaves
讀書樂編號：51
推介人： 高燕群老師
Author : Adeline Yen Mah Publisher : The Penguin Group ISBN : 0-7181-4194-6 Call No. : 951.05092 MAH Source : Public library The sub-title of the book, The True Story of an Unwanted Chinese Daughter, struck me when I glanced through the book racks. It is a plain but painful story and it is exactly why I like the book. It does not come with all the tears and screams The author simply walked me through her upbringing in a traditional family when parents still held the belief that ‘only ignorant women were virtuous’ ( 女子無才便是德 ).The author is unwanted because her mother died two weeks after giving birth to her and it was considered hard luck. Her siblings always precluded her and as a result she ‘always felt more comfortable with my friends at school than at home, where I was considered inferior and insignificant…’ When the story goes on, we see how her family was affected by major historical events in the 1920s and onwards. At the same time, we share the changing attitude towards foot-binding, arranged marriage and women heading a family when China was going through numerous political and social reforms.. I find the book touching and interesting and it reminds me of my childhood games and dreams. It is easy to read because each chapter is given a Chinese title. You can look at the Chinese title and imagine what will happen. This will help you understand the story better.
