This chronologically organized autobiography is compiled of outrageous events of physical and emotional abuse experienced by Adeline Yen Mah as a child and an adult through people ranging from her stepmother to her first husband. Growing up in China as the youngest illegitimate child in the 1930's, she continuously suffered from the deprivation of a loving family. After her mother・s death, her father re-married a nefarious woman and formed a household where illegitimate children were often abused and their needs disregarded. For example, Adeline was used by her older brother as a ：punching bag to vent his frustration,； (p.35). She was only allowed to eat leftovers and she was not permitted to invite friends over. Punishments for violating the family rules went as far as being sent off to an orphanage for two years where her stepmother forbade anyone contact her. She continued on a quest for love from her family throughout the autobiography, however, was continuously rejected and discouraged. As the autobiography progressed, she eventually attended college in the United States. Now the conflict is whether or not she is able to exit the shadows of her younger years after growing up in such a family. Has her past given her with such a weak foundation that she would forever by haunted by the idea that she will never find love or affection? The main characters in this autobiography include Adeline・s maternal siblings Gregory, Edgar, James, and Lydia, who generally ignored Adeline. Niang, Adeline・s Eurasian stepmother who longed for control within the family by harshly monitoring the actions and choices made often psychically and emotionally abused Adeline. Adeline・s father tended to express admiration towards Adeline at the start, but ceased to do so due to Niang・s intimidating domination and constant ideas of ：disciplining； Adeline. Characters such as Adeline・s first husband, Byron, who apparently failed appreciate her also enter occasionally into the story and add to Adeline・s feeling of discouragement for affection.
This autobiography unveiled my eyes to a new world where sources of love, appreciation, belonging, and hope were scarce. However, I think Yen Mah became a bit repetitive in the middle of the autobiography, as she tends to repeats the injustices committed towards her as if to refresh our memory. Apart from this, I recommend this autobiography to anyone who has enjoyed other autobiographies about self hope such as A Child Called ．It・, by David Pelzer. Falling Leaves provide insight on values possessed by many Chinese families and how their children were affected by it. I also recommend this to anyone who wishes to gain insight on Chinese history, as it includes events from World War 1 to The Cold War and how society was impacted by it.