Chinese Cinderella discussion

How far are you into the book (what part) and what do you think about it so far? Do you think that it is sad? Are you learning a lot about the culture? And lastly, why does that dad leave all the time and why does he only take Niang, Older sister, and Niang's children? How did the grandparent die?

I think that this book is very interesting, and full of new learning of Chinese culture. I think this book is very dad because family, based on the novel, is not very important. I mean, the main character's father left the family! Adeline seems that she is so focused on gaining pride to her family name and she is always trying to gain approval for her father. Adeline also carries the so often reminded burden of the blame of her mother's death. I think that the father leaves only with Niang, Older sister, and Niang's children because Niang has a powerful personality, and if she is disappointed or does not get her way, she will punish whoever is at fault. It may be that Adeline's father is still grieving over the loss of his former wife, and he tries to tape this wound with work and a new wife.

Hello Catherine! I wanted to ask where you are now in the book, and If you have gotten to the part where, as a reader, you realize that Niang sent Adeline to a boarding school in Tianjin, where communist and war is obvious and people are fleeing the city. I thought it was interesting that the author showed Niang as someone who is mean and rude to Adeline, but seemed so thoughtful when she was sending her to a school where Niang herself attended, but truly it was one of the worst places to be in that time! And I am so astonished by how Adeline keeps hope and strength through her family practically disowning her and her country falling apart. What do you think about the current events in the novel right now?

Hello! I did not think about that the father may still be grieving over the loss of his former wife! Thank you! I do feel however, that the author does not put heavy weight on the fact that, all the other siblings feel that Adeline was to blame for their Mothers death. When I first checked out this book I thought it was going to be a lot about that but I have not found it to be. As Adeline is in boarding school, it is sad because she slowly becomes the only student there. I am wondering in the past, when Niang was young, if it was popular to send your children to boarding school and also if it was not, that would mean that there were not many kids in those types of schools so how would the school stay open? Due to where I am in the book right now, I think that YeYe is now on Adeline's side. I also feel that the parents may have rethought about how they treated Adeline and may have changed. However, I honestly have no prediction as to where this book will go next! I am having a hard time finding literary devices. Have you found many? Happy Reading!

Hi! It is very trues what you said about the author not putting much thought into Adeline being blamed for her mother's death. I thought just like you, thinking that their would be deeper thought into that. Literary devices are some what hard to find in this book I would agree, because the author loves to retell the story, because it actually was about her! I have found that she uses a lot of imagery in the novel, as well as flashback and similes. Tell me how you thought the ending to the novel was, because I thought that it was very sweet and left you interested and wondering, but it tied the whole novel together.

Hi! I found that she does use a lot of imagery and also a lot of narration. She does love to tell the story! I though the ending was not that good. It was very sweat but I don't think it tied the novel together really. I felt that the book ended rather abruptly. The whole book I was thinking,'She's going to fall in love soon!'but she never did. However, I thought that the book was really good. It was a little shocking to see how mean her parents were to her, but it taught me to go for my dreams no matter what other people think of me and that I can be someone! It also made me very thankful that my family loves me and supports me!

I agree with you Catherine, the ending was rather abrupt. I think that the author was trying to incorporate the title of the book, Chinese Cinderella, into the story, but I realized that she didn't incorporate the Chinese Cinderella part until the last chapter, and did a poor job of including it throughout the book. And I also was so grateful for the type of parents i have and I was so thankful to know that hey love me and they would never do anything like the parents of Adeline did in the novel. The ending was disappointing, but I enjoyed the book! So, after reading it, what do you think were the reoccuring themes in the book were, and how were they shown in the novel?