"Riveting. A marvel of memory. Poignant proof of the human will to endure." —Amy Tan.<p>"Brilliant, compelling, and unforgettable. A heart-rending modern day Cinderella story set against the turbulence of 20th century China. Autobiography at its best." —Nien Chang, author of <i>Life and Death in Shanghai.</i><p>"Charged with emotion...A vivid portrait of the human capacity for meanness, malice—and love." —Jung Chang, author of <i>Wild Swans.</i><p>"Fascinating and heart-rending stuff...a harrowing story of emotional cruelty." —<i>The Times of London</i><p><b>International bestseller.</b><p><b>The emotionally wrenching yet ultimately uplifting memoir of a Chinese woman struggling to win the love and acceptance of her family.</b><p>In this compelling memoir that scaled bestseller lists in England, Australia, and Hong Kong, Adeline Yen Mah chronicles her painful childhood growing up in a wealthy yet abusive Chinese family. The unwanted daughter scorned by her family, young Adeline dreamed of freedom and independence, ultimately escaping to the West to launch a successful career in medicine.<p>When Adeline's mother died giving birth to her, she was deemed bad luck and ostracized by her family. Then her father took a beautiful Eurasian bride and Adeline soon fell victim to the wrath of her stepmother. Treated as a pariah, she was shuttled off to boarding schools, bullied by her siblings, and deprived of the beautiful clothes and things given to the rest of the family.<p>Moving from Shanghai and Hong Kong to London and the United States, <i>Falling Leaves</i> is an enthralling saga of a prosperous Chinese family set against a background of changing political times and the collision of East and West. Written in haunting prose, it evokes all the suspense and emotional force of a satisfying novel.