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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Chinese Cinderella summary
Adeline Yen Mah
Brief summary
Chinese Cinderella is a heart-wrenching memoir by Adeline Yen Mah. It shares the author's tumultuous childhood in China, where she faced rejection and abuse from her family. Despite her hardships, she found solace in her resilience and pursuit of education.
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Table of Contents
Chinese Cinderella
Summary of key ideas
A Childhood Marked by Trauma and Loneliness
In Chinese Cinderella, Adeline Yen Mah introduces us to her tumultuous childhood as an unwanted daughter in her family. It began with the untimely death of her mother shortly after her birth. As a result, Adeline was deemed bad luck by her family. Living under the same roof with her authoritarian, wealthy father, domineering stepmother, and four older siblings was no less than a daily battle.
Treated with indifference and scorn by her family members, Adeline found solace and a sense of being loved in her Aunt Baba and her grandfather, Ye Ye. It was their warmth that provided Adeline with some respite from the harsh realities of her home life. However, after Ye Ye's death and her aunt's departure, she had to combat loneliness and the bitter feeling of abandonment.
Academic Triumph Amidst Personal Struggle
Despite these adversities, Adeline found an escape in her studies possessing an outstanding academic record, she excelled at school securing several accolades. Her academic prowess resulted in a glimpse of acknowledgement from her otherwise dismissive father. He awarded her a rare opportunity to study in England, creating a chance for a brighter future and an escape from her hostile family environment.
The sudden change, though, brought its own challenges. The excitement of studying in England was tarnished by her struggles with the language and the unfamiliar surroundings. Despite these hurdles, Adeline's resilience prevailed, and she gradually adjusted to her new life and continued her stand-out academic performance.
An Unexpected Reunion and a Brighter Future
After years of studying in England, Yen Mah was summoned back to Hong Kong by her father. Expecting to be pulled out of school, she was met with an unexpected twist. Her father had decided to let her pursue her dream of studying medicine. Backed by her determination, she overcame the challenges of late admission and became one of the very few women studying medicine in the 1950s.
This return to Hong Kong also brought with it a reunion with her older sister, Lydia, who, too, had suffered under their stepmother. The mutual comfort and understanding they found in each other were emblematic of their shared hardships and survival.
A Tale of Resilience and Triumph
Chinese Cinderella portrays a story of resilience and unyielding spirit in the face of hardships. Adeline's journey from the unwanted daughter in a hostile family in Hong Kong to a successful physician and author in the United States testifies to her ceaseless battle against adversity.
In conclusion, Chinese Cinderella serves a reminder of the powers of perseverance and determination. It teaches us that no one should be defined by the circumstances they are born into, highlighting the adage that it's not about how you start, but how you choose to finish.
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What is Chinese Cinderella about?
Chinese Cinderella (1999) is a powerful memoir by Adeline Yen Mah that explores themes of family, identity, and resilience. Set in China during the 1940s and 1950s, it tells the story of a young girl who faces constant rejection and mistreatment from her family, but finds solace and strength through her love for literature. The book is a poignant reflection on the enduring power of hope and the ability to rise above adversity.
Who should read Chinese Cinderella?
- Readers interested in stories of resilience and overcoming adversity
- Individuals curious about Chinese culture and history
- People seeking inspiration and motivation to overcome their own challenges
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