[.ca] The Empress Orchid (ISBN 1402572026)

an easy read:
This is a fictionalized account of Empress Tsu His (known as Orchid) who was the power behind the throne of the Ch'ing Dynasty in the 19th century. According to the author the characters are base on real people and the events kept closed to the events in history. The decrees and poems were translated from the original documents: In the 1850's European incursions and peasant rebellions were already undermining the Dynasty. At the same time Orchid born in to poverty came to the Forbidden City to be one of the emperor's seven wives. The young emperor Hsien Feng had neither the temperament nor the training to lead his country. Of all his wives and concubines, Orchid was the only one to produce a male heir giving her privileges. At the emperor's death in 1861, Orchid through the power of seduction and murder and with her diplomatic and manipulative skills took control of the court and became the ruler. This book is the description of a woman managing to come to power in a male-dominated society where love is survival, seduction is power and treachery is a way of life. The story is told in the first person, Orchid tells her story with passion. I found Min's writing compelling and the descriptions (of palaces, dresses and events) very colourful making the subject fascinating and different. The story is slow moving an easy read. I think people that follow historical fiction will enjoy this book, I surely did.

Oh Please!:
All thru this book I just kept saying: "Give me a break!" I just wanted it to end....

Mind Candy for the Imagination:
Empress Orchid is one of those books that once you start reading, not only is it difficult to put down, but the story wraps itself around you and is reluctant to let go. Min's narration is lush and captivating. I'm looking forward to the other books in the series!

Min fan:
I have enjoyed all of Min's books, "Wild Ginger" and "Red Azalea" being two other favorites. Her ability to capture settings and dialogue reminds me of either Martel's "Life of Pi" or McCrae's "Bark of the Dogwood." And her ability to pull us along through the book is great--trust me, this is not something every author can do well. This is not a heavy, complicated book, but it is well written and full of life.

Invites the reader to more:
Knowing relatively little about this place or time, this book held my interest and invited me to learn more. I may find out that there were gross misprepresentations of fact but suspect that the book was of sufficient accuracy to be worth the my time. Anchee Min painted a sweeping portrait of life in the Chinese imperial court with its opulence and varied layers motives and relationships. Fictionalized or not, it does give insight into the histroy of China and the events and beliefs that have brought it into the present time. If you are seeking a strictly informational book, you will be disappointed but I doubt that this was ever the author's intent.