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Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Fascinating view of a declining China Empress Orchid tells the tale of the early life of Empress Dowager Cixi, the last empress of China. She is a controversial figure, often blamed for the downfall of the Qing dynasty and Imperial China. It is somewhat accepted now that she may not have been as despotic as comtemporary press made her out to be, but she was definitely of a conservative and nationalistic political stance. Anchee Min's dramatisation of her early life is largely sympathetic and somewhat romantic. Orchid enters the Forbidden... more info
Engrossing and insightful book I had bought this to read on holiday, but decided to begin reading early and was completely hooked, and ended up buying the sequel to take with me too! I had an interest in Far Eastern history, but this book led me to research it even more. The accuracy and storylines based around life in and out the Forbidden City, especially the portrayal of eunuchs and the lives of concubines, means I would definitely recommend this book, even if you have no prior interest in the topic at hand.
A must...For anyone. An amazing book by such a strong woman, I picked this book up and didn't put it down, I wept, laughed and felt so much for the charatcers in this book, it started my fascination with this time period and culture, and also the incredible Anchee Min- I must recommend that everyone watch the interview on youtube with Anchee Min, and must recommend this:Red Azalea amazing...I love Empress Orchid so much, and the follow on is pretty spell binding too.
Amaaaaaaazing!!! After I had seen this book on richard and judy and as I already had an interest in chinese history I decided to buy the book and i wasn't dissapointed.
Anchee Min recreates the lost splendours of imperial china and the forbidden city with amazing accuracy. I couldn't put the book down and have read it three times, most recently last week and I have just found out that the next instalment about the Empress Dowager "The last empress" is now out and have already ordered it! I hope it's as good as the... more info
