Author finds inspiration in writing

Suzie Harrison

Talking with her and hearing her voice is like an exercise in Zen

meditation. But if anyone knew her miserable youth, it would be hard

to believe that Dr. Adeline Yen Mah would turn into such a

successful, caring and inspirational person.

The New York Times best-selling author will share her journey

growing up and her plight from communist China to the U.S. on March

31 at UC Irvine.

Mah has been selected to appear in the UCI Libraries annual

Speaker Series. The event will include her speaking and signing

books, as well as a conversation with Ketu Katrak, chair of the

Department of Asian American Studies and professor of English and

comparative literature.

“I feel very honored to be doing this event and to be chosen,” Mah

said. “I’m not a big-name author. To have them choose mine over the

millions is overwhelming. Only in America could this happen to an

immigrant first-generation Chinese American.”

Julie Sully, associate director of development, is looking forward

to the Mah’s coming to UCI.

“We’re thrilled to have someone of her caliber coming to UCI and

to be co-sponsoring this event featuring her, “ Sully said. “We’re

happy to have this event for the community and to promote reading and

the joy of literacy.”

Her first book, “Falling Leaves,” was hard to write, Mah said.

“I had tried to write it for a long time,” Mah said. “All my life,

I wanted to write it. It’s autobiographical -- I had a painful

childhood.”

Her mother died when she was born in communist China, her father

remarried a French woman, and subsequently the family was divided

into two classes. The five step children, including her, were

considered second class.

“We were considered the lowest of the low,” Mah said. “I wanted to

write [“Falling Leaves”] to clarify in my own mind the whole issue of

my family that had been bottled inside.”

She said she would try repeatedly to write her story, but she

couldn’t complete it until after her father and stepmother were dead.

“I had to start after they died,” Mah said. “Then, there was no

blockage. It started pouring out. I didn’t realize how cathartic it

was.”

It took her four years to write it, and it facilitated her healing

process.

She was a successful doctor at the time she wrote it, and decided

to give up her medical career to focus on writing full time.

Her second book, “Chinese Cinderella,” was written for children.

She found this project to be the most emotionally satisfying to write

because of the feedback and letters she would receive from children.

“I dedicated it to children all over the world -- to the unwanted

child,” Mah said.

The book was written to the child who was rejected, as she had

been, and to the children who had been told that they are stupid and

ugly.

“The child starts to believe it,” Mah said. “I want these children

to know that the only person who can determine her destiny is

herself, that she is the only one who will decide what she has to

believe.”

Her third book, “Watching the Tree,” is about Chinese philosophy.

In her most recent book, “A Thousand Pieces of Gold: A Memoir of

China’s Past Through its Proverbs,” she reveals China’s past through

her own perspective, exploring ancient Chinese history and bridging

the East and West.

She is now working on another children’s book.

“Emotionally writing is extremely gratifying,” Mah said. “I am

happier now, earning one-tenth the money.”

“Chinese Cinderella,” the easiest book for her to write, she

finished in six months.

“It’s different writing for a younger audience,” Mah said. “As a

child, I took refuge in books and lead a wonderful private life, me

and my books. When I wrote stories, I could be anyone I wanted.”

She wrote a lot as a child to escape and said that she is very

happy when she writes to be back in that world.

“The other message I have for children is how lucky they are if

they have loving parents who believe in them,” Mah said. “A lot take

it for granted, and it’s a wonderful gift.”

She said it would be wonderful if after reading one of her books a

child would turn to their parents and tell them that they appreciate

them.

The event will be held at 6 p.m. March 31 at the UCI Student

Center in the Emerald Bay Room AB. Parking is $5 at the Student

Center parking structure. It’s a free event and open to the public.

Because seating is limited, reservations are required. Call (949)

824-4651.