Series
Publication
Bloomsbury (2008), Edition: Export Ed
Original publication date
2007
Collections
Subjects
Description
Late 19th-century China is a tumultuous land beset by warring enemies--both from beyond its borders and within the fabled walls of the Forbidden City. When her son and adopted son each succumb to early deaths, Orchid reluctantly assumes greater power. While foreign nations like Japan, Russia, France, and England fight for their share of the Chinese spoils, Orchid sees her nation divide into opposing factions. Struggling against sexism and insurgence, only she can keep China from tearing itself apart.
User reviews
LibraryThing member autumnesf
I read the first book in this series and loved it, so I grabbed the book on tape for our summer vacation trip. I must say that I thought it was a good story, but it should have been broken into two books. She put so much history in this book that so much of it was broken into a one sentence
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description and became confusing or boring to me. I couldn't get a good feel for events at some very critical times. Having said that, I did really like the book. I might have enjoyed it more if I had read it instead of listened to it. Hint: Not the best "listen" for an 800 mile road trip. The authors voice is very smooth and even and relaxing. Not the best situation for a driver! Show Less
LibraryThing member dougwood57
In this sequel to Empress Orchid, Anchee Min continues her revisionist portrait of the Lady Yehonala, aka, Tzu Hsi, Ci Xi, the Dowager Empress, and the Dragon Lady. Min portrays the Empress as a reluctant ruler who worked the levers of power indirectly through her emperor sons Tung Chih and Guang
In Min's version, the empress navigates between competing conservative and reform forces as well as the demands of foreign powers. During much of her reign, China is beset by foreign demands, attacks and wars from Great Britain, France, Germany, the US, and perhaps most ominously, Japan. China is repeatedly forced to grant trade and territorial concessions. China's economy is feeble and its military archaic and ineffectual.
Through it all, in Min's telling, the empress only wants her sons to take the levers of power so that she can fade into the background. Neither is remotely capable of doing so. Someone in the imperial family has to rule and the empress reluctantly gathers the reins to herself. She gradually becomes politically adept at deflecting her enemies and supporting her allies.
Her ability to rule, however, is severely hampered because she is a woman but, even if she wasn't the Manchu are absurdly isolated and weak. They almost never leave the Forbidden City and know very little about the country they rule, let alone the outside world.Late in the book, the empress holds a dinner for the wives of foreign ambassadors, but she sits on a dais without being able to speak a single word to any of them. Nonetheless, this occasion is regarded as a great step forward. Tradition denies her a meeting with China's great friend, Robert Hart until they are both near the end of their careers and lives.
Min's work is no doubt a strong corrective to the previously held view of the empress as a cunning, blood-thirsty, perhaps drug-addled, sex fiend and ruthless tyrant. Whether the empress was really as reluctant to rule as Min portrays her or not, the portrait of her as a ruler in extraordinarily difficult and isolated circumstances forced to exercise her often limited powers through indirection seems highly plausible.
The real problem with The Last Empress book, however, was that the central actors are all tedious, shallow, and tiresome, while nearly all of the really interesting action takes place off-stage, whether it is war with Japan or the Boxer Rebellion. The empress knows little of the details of these events and consequently, neither does the reader. The Manchu dynasty is an out-of-touch empty shell, China will be dominated by outsiders, and whether the empress rules or one of a succession of pretenders makes no difference. The endless court intrigue, the empress' obsession with her appearance becomes tedious. And it is hard to empathize with the worldly sufferings of a woman who is after all an empress. One wonders whether there has ever been a less important ruler over such a long period.
The total result is only moderately interesting and a disappointment after Empress Orchid, which seemed to set the stage for a much more compelling sequel.
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Hsu (who was actually the son of her deranged sister) as well as various Manchu princes and generals. In Min's version, the empress navigates between competing conservative and reform forces as well as the demands of foreign powers. During much of her reign, China is beset by foreign demands, attacks and wars from Great Britain, France, Germany, the US, and perhaps most ominously, Japan. China is repeatedly forced to grant trade and territorial concessions. China's economy is feeble and its military archaic and ineffectual.
Through it all, in Min's telling, the empress only wants her sons to take the levers of power so that she can fade into the background. Neither is remotely capable of doing so. Someone in the imperial family has to rule and the empress reluctantly gathers the reins to herself. She gradually becomes politically adept at deflecting her enemies and supporting her allies.
Her ability to rule, however, is severely hampered because she is a woman but, even if she wasn't the Manchu are absurdly isolated and weak. They almost never leave the Forbidden City and know very little about the country they rule, let alone the outside world.Late in the book, the empress holds a dinner for the wives of foreign ambassadors, but she sits on a dais without being able to speak a single word to any of them. Nonetheless, this occasion is regarded as a great step forward. Tradition denies her a meeting with China's great friend, Robert Hart until they are both near the end of their careers and lives.
Min's work is no doubt a strong corrective to the previously held view of the empress as a cunning, blood-thirsty, perhaps drug-addled, sex fiend and ruthless tyrant. Whether the empress was really as reluctant to rule as Min portrays her or not, the portrait of her as a ruler in extraordinarily difficult and isolated circumstances forced to exercise her often limited powers through indirection seems highly plausible.
The real problem with The Last Empress book, however, was that the central actors are all tedious, shallow, and tiresome, while nearly all of the really interesting action takes place off-stage, whether it is war with Japan or the Boxer Rebellion. The empress knows little of the details of these events and consequently, neither does the reader. The Manchu dynasty is an out-of-touch empty shell, China will be dominated by outsiders, and whether the empress rules or one of a succession of pretenders makes no difference. The endless court intrigue, the empress' obsession with her appearance becomes tedious. And it is hard to empathize with the worldly sufferings of a woman who is after all an empress. One wonders whether there has ever been a less important ruler over such a long period.
The total result is only moderately interesting and a disappointment after Empress Orchid, which seemed to set the stage for a much more compelling sequel.
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LibraryThing member ganbari
Ms. Min should have stopped with Empress Orchid.
LibraryThing member regina.arbeia
The second part of the fictional story of the last Empress of China, must read the first (Empress Orchid) to have a grasp of the politics and cultural conditions of the era. Not quite as interesting or lively as the first book and downright ponderous in places.
LibraryThing member rboyechko
While interesting from the point of view of history, the book lacked much of what makes good fiction. It did not grip me with the plot, the characters were often very flat, and the writing itself has a lot to be desired. Anchee Min attempted to cast Empress Dowager Cixi in a more favorable light,
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yet she failed to do so by stripped her wholly of any ambition. Instead of showing her as a strong, determined, and an ambitious ruler, the author makes her come across as a weak village girl that cares only to be loved by her sons while pining for a man she could never be with. It's rather surprising to see such stereotypically patriarchal portrayal coming from a woman writer. If Anchee Min is to be believed, Dowager Empress, after rising to the top of Qing government through her determination and force of character, wants nothing more than to retire, grow flowers, and be with a handsome soldier. Show Less
LibraryThing member krizia_lazaro
I always loved History and reading fiction and putting both together nothing would go wrong for me. "Empress Orchid" was better than "The Last Empress" but still this was a great sequel. If you're not into sad and depressing stories then this one is not for you. The overall mood of this book is
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loneliness and melancholy. Empress Orchid has a life that I do not envy. Imagine losing so many friends and family. She was immortal, literally and figruatievly. She has to witness the deaths of her loved ones and 2 of her sons, I wouldn't be able to bear it. She was always been the bad one especially in the eyes of the Westeners that seemed a bit unfair. You'll feel sorry for her and for China after reading this book. I actually lost control of my emotions when Yung Lu died, its like I'm connected with Emrpess Orchid in a way and I applaud Anchee Min by making a great connection. I recommend "Empress Orchid" and "The Last Empress" to everyone who loves history. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rinnreads
This book was a real let down after the first one. It was completely about politics, and whereas the first book was very vibrant and colourful, this was just dull. The amount of names got quite confusing, Min could've done with a list at the beginning or end of the book somewhere, just explaining
If you're looking to read this after enjoying the first one, you'll most likely be let down. If you're into politics and Chinese history I'm sure it's a fascinating read, but it just really wasn't for me.
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who people were. If you're looking to read this after enjoying the first one, you'll most likely be let down. If you're into politics and Chinese history I'm sure it's a fascinating read, but it just really wasn't for me.
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LibraryThing member Elizabeth088
Fictionalised account of the life of the Empress Cixi, last Empress of China. A rather "lite" and superficial treatment which did not really bring out the circumstances and context of the times, nor the complexities of the Empress' character.
LibraryThing member AmyJ96
It definitely does get a bit boring at some points, but it feels satisfying now, having read it to the end.
LibraryThing member suequeblue
I was disappointed in the book after reading and loving Empress Orchid. I feel like I got a history lesson about China; I would have much preferred the story to continue about Orchid and her life.
LibraryThing member nx74defiant
Told from her point of view. She has many things to consider. The circumstances, the traditions, the courts and foreign pressures.
LibraryThing member starbox
It's quite an ask, covering the collapse of China in a chick-lit type novel. I read the two novels of series straight off, and found the prequel- a world of courtly intrigue and royal doings worked better.
There's a lot of politics; a lot of politicians with similar names; I have some impression of
Wasnt sorry to reach the end.
There's a lot of politics; a lot of politicians with similar names; I have some impression of
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China collapsing from internal strife and foreign incursions, but only a very vague sense.Wasnt sorry to reach the end.
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Language
Original language
English
ISBN
074759385X / 9780747593850
Physical description
4.37 inches