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Empress Orchid
 
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Empress Orchid (Paperback)

by Anchee Min (Author)
4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC; Airport and Export ed edition (5 Jan 2004)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0747566984
  • ISBN-13: 978-0747566984
  • Product Dimensions: 19.2 x 12.8 x 1.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 89,670 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Review

'Empress Orchid is strong on both sexual chicanery and violent conspiracy a fascinating account' Guardian 'A wild, passionate, fearless American writer' New York Times 'An engrossing story enhanced by Min's imaginative power Like all good novelists, she implies as much as she says, and her characterisation is subtle and worldly-wise' Glasgow Herald 'Rich in detail and historical background, the novel drenches readers in the colours, textures and affluence of the Forbidden City a stirring, exotic novel that is a treat for the senses and the intellect alike' Los Angeles Times --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.


New York Times

‘A wild, passionate, fearless American writer’ --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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Empress Orchid
76% buy the item featured on this page:
Empress Orchid 4.1 out of 5 stars (69)
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Customer Reviews

69 Reviews
5 star:
 (35)
4 star:
 (19)
3 star:
 (7)
2 star:
 (5)
1 star:
 (3)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.1 out of 5 stars (69 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Brings the Forbidden City to life, 20 April 2008
This review is from: Empress Orchid (Paperback)
I loved it. The story of a girl overcoming hardships, set in the Forbidden City. She goes from nothing to becoming one of the most formidable women in China at the time. It's a work of fiction but is based on a real character, the Empress Dowager. This book only takes us through her early life though, before she becomes the Dowager empress and the story continues with the sequel. It was wonderful to soak up the atmosphere, pomp and ceremony from the pages and I can't wait to read what happens to her next.
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29 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read, 21 May 2004
By A Customer
I thought this book was excellent. I read it in a day, from the first page you just can't put it down. Annchee Min writes superbly. The book is factual so you gain not only a fab read but also a history lesson!

The plot is excellent, gaving the reader insight into the life of china with emperors, thousnds of concubines, the colonialist rampage, corruption, the whole system and values of the people...

Through Annchee Mins writing you really associate with Orchid, how she comes from nothing to becoming a wife of the Emperor of China. But once attinting this highly sought after position she realises her life is now within a golden cage, lined with flawless diamons! Every step she treads must be with upmost caution as she could get her head chopped off or worse. With her prowess Orchid competes with five other wives and thousnds of concubines to gain attention from her Husband. The story continues with the downfall of china, the opium wars, and seizing or Hong Kong. Can Empress Orchid keep her head on her shoulders (literally), produce an heir to the throne, battle with the other wives and eunuchs.

I can't recommend this book enough, it is a MUST READ!!

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars I couldn't put it down, 6 Mar 2006
This review is from: Empress Orchid (Paperback)
I saw this book advertised on Richard and Judy's Bookclub and decided to get it. I'm so glad that i did, for it is a fantastic read. I found the main character Orchid to be a really strong and determined woman, who I grew to love. Her life is so tragic as a young girl, and you wonder how she and her family will survive with no money and no father to provide for them. I was horrified at the thought of her marrying her opium-addict cousin, and desperatley wanted her to fall in love with the emperor, which she did, but unfortuantley, it wasn't that simple in that time. Her fight to win the affections of the emperor and the things that she did in order to gain experience were incrediable, and the relationship between Orchid and the other empress, Nuharoo, had me turning the pages until the end. It also has some humerous parts which made me laugh out loud, like when she wanted to use the chamber pot with her maids around. I also grew to love the character of An-te-hai, and really wanted to slap her son Tun Chih at times! A truely enchanting and enlightening tale, the only reason it didn't get five as that it sometimes dragged a little.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Holiday Read
I have a fascination with the Chinese culture and this book gave me more information regarding the Emperor and his selection of Empress and Concubines. Read more
Published 6 days ago by D. Golightly

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly Impressive.
Two words. FIVE STARS!!! I have read this book twice. The detail is amazing the research impeccable. I could not put it down. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Blue Ace

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most amazing books I have ever read
I found this book fascinating, educating and unputdownable. Since i finished the book yesterday not only have I not been able to get it out of my mind, I egg to read another book... Read more
Published 2 months ago by C. Hedges

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating
The book follows the story of Tzu Hsi (known as Orchid) who enters the Forbidden City as one of the Emperors concubines at the age of seventeen. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Kirsty B

5.0 out of 5 stars What a fantastic read
Empress Orchid if you haven't read this before, then go and read it, and then pass it on to your friends/mum/grandmum.
Published 7 months ago by Mr. Philip R. Gardner

4.0 out of 5 stars 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... Read more
Published 13 months ago by J. Cronin

5.0 out of 5 stars 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! Read more
Published 13 months ago by Ms. K. Naylor

5.0 out of 5 stars 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... Read more
Published 15 months ago by remember_the_sunwell

5.0 out of 5 stars 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. Read more
Published 17 months ago by FUTURESTARdelux

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating and Brilliant.
Before I brought Empress Orchid I read a review written by someone else that said that it was such a super book it had inspired them to want to visit The Forbidden City... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Charlotte Lou

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