Falling Leaves (Reading Log)

by Adeline Yen Mah





1. How does the text relate to the theme of a journey?

This is a very heartrending story. It is the life journey of an unwanted Chinese daughter who is called Adeline, from the day she was born until she becomes an adult. Adeline’s mother passed away after giving birth to her and she was brought up by her stepmother. She was the youngest child in the family who enjoyed rare privileges; she was sent to boarding school. Aunt Baba was the person who showered her with love and care. After finishing her schooling in Hong Kong, she went to London to do medicine and became a physician. She got married and had her first child. But unfortunately her marriage was unsuccessful. Then she found her perfect match. Finally, she also found the true colour of her siblings but she did not bother. She was satisfied with her life. This is the journey of her life.

2. What is the main issue in the text?

This novel mainly revolves family problems faced by the main character, Adeline. After her mother passed away, her father remarried Jeanne Prosperi, who is referred as Niang. Niang treated the children badly and was unfair to them. She gives more attention to her own kinds, Franklin and Susan. Niang did not like Adeline because she was close and taken care by Aunt Baba. Aunt Baba was concern about Adeline’s education and so on. Niang came up with an idea to sent Adeline to a boarding school and she was left there like an orphan. No one went to visit her in the boarding school. Adeline was lonely and she was lacking of mothers love. After she was married, she did not have a peaceful life. Her husband was not understanding and tolerant. Adeline was again treated badly.Therefore, she had to end up that relationship. Besides that her own siblings betrayed her. For example, Lydia. Adeline helped Lydia but Lydia did not appreciate it. Lydia wrote letters to Niang telling negative things about Adeline. Niang excluded Adeline from the will.



2. What quality do you admire or dislike in a character?

She is a very determined character. Adeline struggled for independence as she moved from Hong Kong to London. One of her characteristics that attracted me was her love towards family. She came all the way from United States to Hong Kong to visit her Eurasian stepmother who was ill, even though her stepmother had been cruel to her during childhood. I learned to be tolerant after reading this novel. Adeline portrayed tolerance throughout this novel. Even though her siblings ignored her and gave her all sorts of problems, she tolerated everyone. Adeline is the symbol of patience. Her sister Lydia betrayed her by writing to Niang, inciting Niang to hate Adeline. But Adeline kept calm. Adeline loves her father and she has faith in him. She knows that her father did not exclude her in the will. She went searching for her father’s will even though Niang had written another will. At last, she found her father's will. She did not forget her Aunt Baba who took care of her. She visited Aunt Baba who was ill.



4. How does the text develop your understanding of the world?

I felt very touched after reading this story. I could feel how a girl is when she is being isolated from the family. Certain parts of the story made me cry. I would never want to experience such a life where I have to live like an orphan when I have family. Furthermore, I realised that many people in this world are selfish and they do not care about other people's feelings. Everyone should learn to love each other. Fair and justice is the most important key for the happiness of the family. I also learned that life is not as soft as a bed of roses. There are lots of ups and down in life. We should have strong determination like Adeline to overcome all those. We should not give up easily the problem easily. Adeline struggled until the end to stand for her rights.