| This book is the moving autobiography of a young Chinese girl, Adeline Yen Mah. Born the fifth child to an affluent Chinese family her life begins tragically. Adeline's mother died shortly after her birth due to complications bought on by the delivery. This situation is compounded by her father's new marriage to a lady who has little affection for her husband's five children. She displayed overt antagonism and distrust towards all of the children, particularly Adeline, whilst favoring her own younger son and daughter born soon after the marriage. The book outlines Adeline's struggle to find a place where she feels she belongs. Denied love from her parents, she finds some solace in relationships with her grandfather Ye Ye, and her Aunt Baba, but they are taken from her. Adeline immerses herself in striving for academic achievement in the hope of winning favour, but also for its own rewards as she finds great pleasure in words and scholarly success. | ||
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Plot & Themes Kids growing up/acting up? Yes Kids: - parental abuse Ethnic/Relig. of subject (inside) Ethnic/regional/gender Yes Period of greatest activity? - 1950+ Subject of Biography Gender - Female Profession/status: Ethnicity - Chinese Nationality - Chinese Setting How much descriptions of surroundings? - 7 () City? Yes City: - wealthy Misc setting - Fancy Mansion Century: - 1930's-1950's Writing Style Book makes you feel? - thoughtful If this is a kid's book: - Age 11-14 Pictures/Illustrations? - A few 1-5 B&W How much dialogue in bio? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog How much of bio focuses on most famous period of life? - 26-50% of book |
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