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Along the River: A Chinese Cinderella Novel Reviewed By Amy Lignor of Bookpleasures.com
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Amy Lignor

Reviewer Amy Lignor: Amy is the author of a historical fiction novel entitled The Heart of a Legend, and Mind Made, a work of science fiction. Presently, she is writing an adventure series set in the New York Public Library, as well as a teen fiction series, The Angel Chronicles.  She is an avid traveler and has been fortunate to have journeyed across the USA, where she has met the most amazing people, who truly bring life and soul to her books.  She lives in the Land of Enchantment (for now) with her gorgeous daughter, Shelby, her wonderful Mom, Mary, and the greatest friend and critic in the entire world - her dog, Reuben

 
By Amy Lignor
Published on September 8, 2010
 

Author: Adeline Yen Mah

ISBN:  978-0-385-73895-8



Author: Adeline Yen Mah

ISBN:  978-0-385-73895-8

Click Here To Purchase Along the River: A Chinese Cinderella Novel

To bring everyone up to speed:  This fantastic author first came on the scene when she published her memoir, Falling Leaves.  It was a wonderful tale of a girl who grew up in a frightening world and ended up becoming a doctor in London.  Then she came out with Chinese Cinderella, which was a fantastic memoir of her life aimed at young adults.  In this second Cinderella tale, this author has once again made a story that not only teaches valuable lessons to kids, but also introduces a world of intrigue, mystery, and supernatural occurrences. 

CC and David are sent by Grandma Wu into the river town of Feng Jie to pick up food and supplies.  The marketplace is supposed to be as safe as any place can be right now, but Grandma Wu wants to make sure that they are extra careful.  You see, hidden on Grandma Wu’s boat, are two Americans that they’ve rescued and are planning on sending to a safe house.  If anyone finds out about these visitors, Grandma Wu and everyone else could be arrested for being spies.

CC and David are careful and try to stay out of the soldiers’ path.  Unfortunately, a lady in black seems to be staring at CC no matter where she goes in the marketplace, and CC finds herself bolting, trying to get away from this strange and mysterious woman who she’s afraid might be after her and her family.  During the escape, CC falls and is knocked unconscious, and David rushes to get her to a hospital. 

Dr. Allen supervises CC’s care and, thankfully, she does wake up.  Unfortunately, when she opens her eyes, CC feels more than a little different.  She’s calling out strange names in her sleep, and loses herself in China’s most famous painting, Along the River at Qing Ming Festival.  No matter what she does, CC can’t seem to get these images out of her mind and get back to her normal life.

Dr. Allen recommends hypnotherapy and CC is soon brought back into a world that existed eight hundred years ago during the Song Dynasty.  CC says that she was a large part of this world; in fact, she was Mei Lan, the daughter of a hugely wealthy man.  What she also “tells” through hypnosis is how she met and fell in love with a young, poor boy who she struggled to find a way to be with, but had to go through extreme hardship, because of the unbending rules of Chinese society.

CC can’t understand what she possibly has to do with these people from so long ago, but she simply can’t let go of the romance until she figures out exactly why this is all stuck inside her brain.   It’s as if Cinderella has turned into Juliet and is trying desperately to figure out whatever happened to her Romeo.

The historical time period is absolutely amazing to read about.  The traditions of the Song Dynasty – especially when compared with China today – is an enlightened look at how the world, customs, traditions, and society, overall, has adapted to new ideas.  Yet again, I must say, this author has hit a home run.  I truly believe that with all the wonderful items included in this novel that educators should definitely add this to their classrooms.  Enjoy!

 Click Here To Purchase Along the River: A Chinese Cinderella Novel