The last decades of the nineteenth century were a violent period in China's history, marked by humiliating foreign incursions and domestic rebellions and ending in the demise of the Ch'ing Dynasty. The only constant during this tumultuous time was the power wielded by one woman, the resilient, ever-resourceful Tsu Hsi -- or Empress Orchid, as readers came to know her in Anchee Min's critically acclaimed, best-selling novel covering her rise to power. The Last Empress is the story of Orchid's dramatic transition from a strong-willed, instinctive young woman to a wise and politically savvy leader who ruled China for more than four decades. In this concluding volume Min gives us a compelling, very human leader who assumed power reluctantly and sacrificed all to protect those she loved and an empire that was doomed to die.
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"Sequel to EMPRESS ORCHID, this continued her dynasty until her death - it was interesting reading the history and struggles, amazing that any woman would have wanted to be the empress. Very much enjoyed it. I look forward to reading the remaining books authored by Anchee Min." — Pat (4 out of 5 stars)
"Sequel to EMPRESS ORCHID, this continued her dynasty until her death - it was interesting reading the history and struggles, amazing that any woman would have wanted to be the empress. Very much enjoyed it. I look forward to reading the remaining books authored by Anchee Min."
" Life, power, love and knowledge. "
" This is the sequel to Empress Orchid. It was more political than the first and so I liked it a little less, but I found Cixi's story completely intriguing. "
" Sequel to Anchee Min's Empress Orchid. Sad life of one's life. There are so many things if life you cannot control.. "
" This was the best history lesson I've ever had. Well-researche & well-written. "
" I enjoy Anchee Min's stories about the Empress of China. The historical information is very interesting. How lonely life in the Forbidden City must have been with no one to trust. "
" I was so eager to read it after Empress Orchid but was lead to disappointment when I read the first few chapters. The Last Empress is dull and dry. "
" Nice way to learn about history of China....it's actually at lot more history that the last book by Anchee Min "
" WOW this book is amazing. If you like history and especially Asian history, you will LOVE this book to pieces. It's so rich in detail in every aspect such as with illustrating how a room looked to what emotions people were feeling. It's an intense book but its fabulous. "
" I actually really liked the first of these books ( Empress Orchid), but this one? less so. what I really enjoyed about Empress O. was the real human aspects of the characters -- this time, it was essentially a history narrated in the first-person. rats! "
" Great read if you are fascinated by female monarchs like me! "
" Very interesting, entertaining and also educational,gave me some insight to old China, the government and the culture. "
" Not as good as Empress Orchid. Took me forever to get through. "
" I really enjoyed the first book "Empress Orchid". This book was almost a recitation of facts. I felt the author wasn't telling Orchid's story, or how she felt, just facts. "
" Great Chinese history review and touching story. "
" This isn't quite as good as Empress Orchid but this is a good historical fiction read. "
" Not as wonderful or beautriful a book as the Empress Orchid. "
" Sequel to "Empress Orchid"; excellent read on China and it's history. "
" Good read about a historical character. I will say that it did become really whiny at points, not only from the supporting characters but from the main one as well. "
" Much sadder than Empress Orchid, but just as readable. "
" I tried to like this book, but I struggled through it. The majority of the book was composed of politics and military battles. Empress Orchd was much more enjoyable. "
" Told in the eyes of a woman. "
" A struggle to finish . . . "
" I heard Anchee Min speak years ago about her life growing up in China under Mao. I've never read a book she wrote until this one. It was so interesting! I never knew anything about this last empress who ruled China in the late 19th century. Well written. "
" this gives truth to "Behind the rise and fall of a man is a woman." "
" Not as good as the 1st book, i even skipped paragraphs while reading "
" I was underwhelmed when I read this. Empress Orchid was so amazing, and The Last Empress seemed to go on forever, I struggled to finish it. It was fascinating, nevertheless. "
" I enjoyed this book very much, but it probably has a limited audience. You must have an interest in, and some knowledge of Chinese history to follow along and remain engaged. "
" Liked the content and storyline; the fact it is based on real events; but the writing style is not quite as good as Amy Tan or Kingsolver. Will read more when get a chance. "
Anchee Min was born in Shanghai in 1957. At seventeen she was sent to a labor collective, where a talent scout for Madame Mao’s Shanghai Film Studio recruited her to work as a movie actress. She moved to the United States in 1984. Her first memoir, Red Azalea, was an international bestseller, published in twenty countries. She has since published six novels, most recently Pearl of China.
Alexandra O’Karma has appeared on regional stages, television, film, Broadway, and off-Broadway. You may have seen her with Tommy Lee Jones in the film Yuri Nosenko, KGB, or on episodes of One Life to Live. She was the Reader in the four-time Emmy winner, Festival of Lessons & Carols and appeared on Broadway in Getting Married. In the national tour of Death Trap, she performed with Elliot Gould, and she played opposite George Segal in Toronto in the contemporary play, Double Act.
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