Empress Orchid

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Customer reviews

review by: Kate88 date: 2008-10-08 rating:
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.

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review by: date: 2008-08-16 rating:
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.

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review by: secret date: 2008-05-22 rating:
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 first and i'm really impatiently waiting for it to arive. I recomend "Empress Orchid" to everybody.

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review by: Charlotte Bird date: 2008-04-23 rating:
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.
Having read the book myself, I have to say I agree.
Brilliantly written, the storyline itself was gripping as well as eye-opening and fascinating.
As someone who was totally ignorant on matters such as Chinese history, Emporers, Eunuchs, etc. I didn't find it hard going at all and in fact, couldn't put it down - Anchee Min's writing style is amazing.
I thoroughly enjoyed every page and would recommend it to anyone wanting a gripping read.


review by: date: 2008-04-20 rating:
Brings the Forbidden City to life
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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Similar categories

Books . Subjects . Young Adult . History & Historical Fiction . Historical Fiction
Books . Refinements . Language (feature_browse-bin) . English
Books . Refinements . Age (feature_two_browse-bin)
Books . Refinements . Format (binding_browse-bin) . Paperback
Books . Refinements . Condition (condition-type)

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