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Empress Orchid
 
 
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Empress Orchid [Paperback]

Anchee Min (Author)
4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (75 customer reviews)
RRP: £7.99
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Product details

  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC (3 Jan 2005)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0747568332
  • ISBN-13: 978-0747568339
  • Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 12.8 x 2.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (75 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank:: 19,076 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Anchee Min
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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

New York Times

‘A wild, passionate, fearless American writer’
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Customer Reviews

75 Reviews
5 star:
 (38)
4 star:
 (21)
3 star:
 (7)
2 star:
 (5)
1 star:
 (4)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.1 out of 5 stars (75 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Extremely enjoyable read but slightly disappointing ending., 28 Jun 2005
This review is from: Empress Orchid (Paperback)
I picked this book up at the airport and read the back while waiting for my husband to buy some magazines. I hadnt even finished the back cover and knew i had to have it.

The storyline centres around Orchid, a young Chinese girl in the 1800's who is chosen as one of the Emperor's Concubines and becomes one of the most powerful women in Chinese history. It follows her life from enterting into her marriage and gives you a real insight into the Forbidden City and life as a concubine.

This is an extremely enjoyable read which is written in an easy to follow style. I thoroughly enjoyed the way the author has written it, her style is fresh and keeps your attention constantly.

The character of Orchid and that of her head Eunuch are both interesting and very likeable characters. The voice of Orchid is truthful and entertaining with a hint of every emotion possible. There are tearful moments and laugh out loud snippets.

I would recommend this book happily, and would have given it 5 stars but for the fact i felt the ending was a little frustrating. The author finished on what she believes to be a high note and a good ending, but part of her writing style is to tell you parts of the future throughout the book in a casual manner (for example from the beginning Orchid tells us about being the most powerful woman in China by becoming the Empress, you dont have to read past the first chapter to see she will survive through all death threats etc in the book). However at the end i felt that a few of these casually mentioned parts of the story were not finished off and i found that frustrating. I really needed to know more! Its almost like there was going to be a second part, you were left really wanting more.

I am a big fan of Memoirs of a Geisha and Geisha of Gion, and although a totally different subject manner, i found this book equally fascinating.

Happy reading!

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Brings the Forbidden City to life, 20 April 2008
By Me read - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   
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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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars I couldn't put it down, 5 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

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely stunning!
I am a huge fan of Anchee Min and was very impressed and pleased with this book. Empress Orchid was an absolutely stunning book to read with a beautiful story line and with the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by GoldDragonFly

4.0 out of 5 stars easier to read than you'd think
I did wonder whether this book would be too long and drawn out as i do like a 'flowing' read, not one you have to give too much thought to, but i need not have worried it's a good... Read more
Published 1 month ago by teddy

4.0 out of 5 stars Empress Orchid
Kept me engrossed to the end, gave an insight into the fascinating powerful world of the Forbidden City, now reading the Last Empress.
Published 4 months ago by Janette Cox

5.0 out of 5 stars Empress Orchid
A very readable book written in the first person. If you like this book I would reccommend The Dragon Lady by Sterling Seagrove to get more detailed information about Tzu Hsi... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mrs. E. A. Tong

1.0 out of 5 stars a real page turner ....
.... because I couldn't wait to get to the end and be done with it. Simple and one dimensional, this book could have been so much better. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Matteusz

5.0 out of 5 stars intense, detailed and enthralling
if you have any interest in historical writing or just books in general, you should read this!!
this is the story of a young poor girl in china who competes to become one of... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Bina

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 8 months 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 9 months 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 11 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 12 months ago by Kirsty B

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