Book Review : Chinese Cinderella: A True Story of an Unwanted Child by Adeline Yen Mah

I figured that this was going to be one of those heartbreaking stories even before I delved into the book. Not a smooth transition from Cop’s Passion but I needed to pull my head from the oversexed, mushy stuff.

Well, I am reading this book simultaneously with Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren. Both books are intense and I turn to the other when one gets overwhelming.

Image courtesy of Penguin Random House

The story, set in the 1940s, starts off with a glimpse into how Adeline’s mother died and the resentment her sibling exude towards her.

There is a history lesson in there as well, the occupation of China by the Japanese and the governance of France which had its soldiers occupy many Chinese coastal cities like Tianjin, where Adeline lived, and Shanghai.

The book was heartbreaking throughout, from how Adeline was cruelly treated by her siblings, father and stepmother. It was heartwarming though to have her Aunt Baba and Grandfather Ye Te love and look out for her. She buries herself in education and she reaps the rewards, being allowed to go off to England to study Medicine.

A great read that breaks your heart at how humans can be so unkind and also gives you hope with how the downtrodden still rise if they are meant to.