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Search - Empress Orchid
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Empress Orchid Author: |
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Book Information
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Other Versions of this Book: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Hardcover
Book Description:
From a master of the historical novel, Empress Orchid sweeps readers into the heart of the Forbidden City to tell the fascinating story of a young concubine who becomes China"s last empress. Min introduces the beautiful Tzu Hsi, known as Orchid, and weaves an epic of a country girl who seized power through seduction, murder, and endless intrigue. When China is threatened by enemies, she alone seems capable of holding the country together. In this "absorbing companion piece to her novel Becoming Madame Mao" (New York Times), readers and reading groups will once again be transported by Min"s lavish evocation of the Forbidden City in its last days of imperial glory and by her brilliant portrait of a flawed yet utterly compelling woman who survived, and ultimately dominated, a male world.
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Top Member Book Reviews
Cameron-Ashley H. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Very interesting book which sheds a lot of detail about the day to day life of someone living inside the forbidden city walls
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
A San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of the Year in 2004, this book has rich details and colorful historical background. It reminded me of a fairy tale. This story is of China's last empress with a solid view into the Forbidden City. Elle calls it a "sexually charged eye-opening portrayal of the Chinese empire ..... sensuality that rises off its heated pages."
Lynda C. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Historical novel about the early life of the last empress of China -- the infamous Dowager Empress, whom history has named a manipulative monster. While the character of Orchid is presented sympathetically here, and the detail of daily life in China's Imperial Court is fascinating, the story itself seems overlong. And it only goes through the early days of Orchid's regency.
Colleen J. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
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.
Elizabeth B. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was an engaging story with a strong-willed heroine, and lots of fascinating historical detail of Chinese culture and practices, written both tastefully and enjoyably. Recommended.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Empress Orchid sweeps readers into the heart of the Forbidden City to tell the fascinating story of a young concubine who becomes China's last empress. Min introduces the beautiful Tzu Hsi, known as Orchid, and weaves an epic of a country girl who seized power through seduction, murder, and endless intrigue.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Although a novel, it offers wonderful insight into the young woman who became the last Empress of China and ruled China through the Boxer rebellion. I can't wait for a sequel to read about what comes next!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Very entertaining story of a girl from the chinese countryside who is chosen to be a concubine of the emperor. The excess and danger of life in the forbidden city is fascinating, as is Orchid's rise as the emperor's favorite wife, and later, the unofficial ruler who helps continue the dynasty. I can't wait to read more books by this author!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Another good Geisha book. Interesting look into the lives of Geisha but without the happy ending.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
If you like historical fiction you will love this book I thought it was great. It is a little hard to get into at first but it was definately worth the time
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Please Rate these Book Reviews
I loved this book. It keeps you interested all the way through. I got to the end and just wanted to read more!
This is the fictionally written tale of Empress Orchid based on the real Empress Orchid Tsu Hsi, who ruled for forty-six years. It is an unforgettable tale of struggle both internally and externally. The circumstances of her life forced her to share a husband and son with the royal court and an entire country. Fascinating book!
Mike C. (I think this book good history, and no dount that, that time period is fasinating. But I would not recomend it to people that are 20 or younger due to sexual overtones and scenes
Ivy I really enjoyed reading this book and think you will too. The story is engrossing and I found myself not able to put this one down. At times very sad, it's a beautiful story of ancient tradition and honor, as well as deceit and integrity. I highly recommend this one!
"A sexually charged, eye-opening protrayal of the Chinese empire...with heart-wrenching scenes of desperate failure and a sensuality that rises off its heated pages."-ELLE
Read All Book Reviews of "Empress Orchid"
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