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Empress Orchid
Empress Orchid
Author: Anchee Min
The setting is China's Forbidden City in the last days of its imperial glory, a vast complex of palaces and gardens run by thousands of eunuchs and encircled by a wall in the center of Peking. In this highly ordered place -- tradition-bound, ruled by strict etiquette, rife with political and erotic tension -- the Emperor, "the Son of Heaven," p...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780747568339
ISBN-10: 0747568332
Publication Date: 1/3/2005
Pages: 352
Rating:
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 12

3.7 stars, based on 12 ratings
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

shukween avatar reviewed Empress Orchid on + 118 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Roughly the equivalent to the early years of Anne Boleyn--the Eastern version. Or possibly Evita. Empress Orchid is a fast paced yet delicate novel detailing the unlikely rise of an impoverished but decently pedigreed remote governor's daughter to become one of the seven Imperial wives of the last real emperor of China, circa 1861. The book offers an amazingly detailed look at what life was like in the Forbidden City, is impeccably researched and leaves one wondering what one would do when faced with the same challenges. I immediately ordered its sequel, The Last Empress, as I had to know how the story ends.
reviewed Empress Orchid on + 33 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is a fascinating story of another time and culture. The intrigue, the perseverance and courage of one individual who changed her world.
reviewed Empress Orchid on + 29 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book was hard to put down. A very interesting story and I will definitely read other books by this author.
reviewed Empress Orchid on + 51 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Very well written. Almost unbelievable if history didn't have this recorded in multiple places.
kera108 avatar reviewed Empress Orchid on + 54 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A masterful historical novel, portraying brutal and sexually charged political turmoil in the mid 19th century Forbidden City. Orchid is based on the true historical figure, Tzu Hsi, who was China's longest reigning woman ruler and last empress. A rich novel, full of articulately crafted details, and searing descriptions which haunt long after the last page is turned.
Read All 36 Book Reviews of "Empress Orchid"

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reviewed Empress Orchid on
Book is rich in details of imperial court. A pleasant read
buzzby avatar reviewed Empress Orchid on + 6062 more book reviews
Interesting, still reads like a westerner's version of China, it doesn't seem inscrutible enough. Anyway, there's a lot about intrigue within the court, not much about life outside (I guess that might have been the point), there is a sequel that covers her years as empress.
reviewed Empress Orchid on + 24 more book reviews
Ilove to time-travel and visit other cultures. Ms. Min takes me there and teachs me things I find fascinating! HootsAnnie
reviewed Empress Orchid on
Great read! I enjoyed this book thoroughly.
reviewed Empress Orchid on + 296 more book reviews
This is a really interesting historical novel, based entirely on real characters. This particular edition has the same cover illustration as ISBN# 0747568339, but was published in the UK in 2005.

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