By Adeline Yen Mah

A Chinese proverb says "Falling leaves return to their roots." In Chinese Cinderella, Adeline Yen Mah returns to her roots to paint an authentic portrait of twentieth-century China as well as to tell the story if her painful childhood and her courage and ultimate triumph over despair.

After her mother dies giving birth to her, Adeline's affluent, powerful family considers her bad luck. Life does not get any easier when her father remarries. She and her siblings are subjected to their stepmother's disdain, while her half brother and half sister are thoroughly spoiled. Although Adeline wins prizes at school, they are not what she really yearns for -- the love and understanding of her family.

The book is very easy to read. I read it for what seems like a day, last year. And sure as can be anyone who starts reading it will never stops until it's finished.

I like how the story was told. At first, it was all dramatic and well, pitiful. But honestly, some parts of the book, like when his brothers play tricks on her (what seems to be pineapple juice, was actually Urine) gave me giggles. For the dramatic parts of the story? Well, I wept at the part when her YeYe (Grandfather), had his time. And for the fact that she wins awards and have good grades at school, I envy.

The title Chinese Cinderella suits this book at about 75% since the actual Cinderella story has Romance in it and has no siblings. But good thing this one didn't forget the Godmother part, (Aunt Baba being the godmother).

I strongly recommend it to my former bestfriend Sarah Lyn Dy Yu. It made me feel more grateful about my life when I read it. It made me feel, well, luckier. :)