94 pages • 3 hours read
Adeline Yen MahFalling Leaves
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1997A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
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.
Reviews & Readership
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.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
950L