In the Yeh - Shen version of the old Chinese Cinderella story, the main characters are Yeh - Shen herself, her cruel stepmother, and her mean stepsister. There is also the magical fish that befriends Yeh - Shen.
Well, the old Chinese Cinderella story is really interesting. In some versions, like the one with Yeh - Shen, it shows the theme of the kind - hearted being rewarded. Yeh - Shen's kindness towards the fish was repaid even after the fish was gone. It also reflects the social structure of the time where step - relations could be difficult. The discovery of her through the slipper is similar to the Western Cinderella story, but with a unique Chinese flavor in terms of the magic elements and the cultural background.
Chinese Cinderella's English novel had many recommendations, one of which was Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah. This novel was the author's childhood recollection, describing her growing up in the turbulent China. Although she lived in a wealthy family, due to her mother's early death, she was regarded as an ominous thing by her family and suffered a lot of bullying and abuse. Despite this, she had achieved good results through hard work, but this did not change her fate. This novel showed her strong will and courage to fight against adversity. This book can be purchased on Dangdang and Douban.
A Chinese Cinderella story often emphasizes themes of hardship, perseverance, and eventual success against all odds. It showcases the strength of the main character in the face of adversity.