Falling Leaves

A powerful memoir of family, survival, and self-determination, this book recounts the author’s childhood in a wealthy but emotionally harsh Chinese family during the turbulent years of twentieth-century China. Orphaned of her mother at birth and labeled “bad luck,” she grows up under the cruelty of a domineering stepmother and the indifference of a distant father. Through intelligence, academic excellence, and inner resolve, she forges a path to independence and ultimately builds a life beyond the constraints of her upbringing. Adeline Yen Mah, a physician and writer, draws on her own experiences to explore themes of filial duty, resilience, cultural tradition, and the longing for parental love. This candid and moving narrative will resonate with readers interested in memoir, Chinese history, and stories of personal triumph over adversity.