45 pages 1 hour read

Adeline Yen Mah

Chinese Cinderella

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | YA | Published in 1999

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Chinese Cinderella follows Adeline Yen Mah's childhood in China from 1937 to 1952, detailing her experiences growing up in an abusive household. Shunned and bullied by her family, except for her Aunt Baba and grandparents, Adeline finds solace and success in school. Her intelligence and writing talents offer her a sense of hope and self-worth, ultimately leading her to pursue education and fulfill her dreams despite the hardships she faces. This book includes instances of physical punishment, emotional abuse, and animal cruelty.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah has received praise for its emotional depth and captivating narrative, illustrating resilience in the face of familial adversity. Readers were moved by Mah's poignant storytelling, though some criticized the pacing and found certain plot elements predictable. Overall, the memoir is celebrated for its heartfelt authenticity.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Chinese Cinderella?

Readers who enjoy Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah typically appreciate memoirs and coming-of-age stories that explore resilience and cultural identity. Fans of The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls and I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai will find it particularly engaging for its poignant portrayal of overcoming adversity in a challenging family environment.

RecommendedReading Age

10-14years

Lexile Level

960L

Book Details

Themes

Life/Time: Coming of Age

Relationships: Family

Emotions/Behavior: Conflict

Genre

Chinese Literature

Education

Biography

Topics

History: Asian

Education

History: World