A story paticularly aimed at girls showing the story of an unwanted daughter. When Yen Jun-ling is born, her mother dies and that is the catastrophe of her life. Not only does the father turn from the five children he had by his first wife when he marries again, but her three brothers and sister also despise Jun-ling for being the cause of their own neglect. Yen is told by her older brother, "It all stems from our mama dying when you were born. Big Sister and our two older brothers knew her better than I did. I only remember her a little. Things were much nicer when she was alive. You made her go away."
Chinese Cinderella is an autobiography. It is a story written by a woman in her fifties about her own childhood. Throughout the story, there are some fascinating snapshots of the old way of life, such as the binding of Grandmother Nai Nai's feet, which had been the custom in China for over 1000 years. However, this is mainly an account of the relentless neglect and loathing which was heaped on Yen Jun-ling during her excruciating, painful, and unforgetable childhood, and the ways she chose to cope with it.
Whatever you make of Yen Jun-ling, i think you will find this book highly memorable. Despite the content, you will most likely find this book actually enjoyable. Chinese Cinderella is an extraordinary account of hate, evil, abuse and malice, and it will stay with you for quite a while after you finish the book.
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