I tend to be drawn to books about Imperial China and this was no exception. The rich descriptions of the decadence and lavishness of the settings mixing with the simplicity and beauty of the language makes it an enchanting read, especially when those descriptions are conrasted with the hollowness and beaurocracy that is the reality of the world in which the characters live.

This book is a fictional account of the actual historical events in China in the 1800s following the Opium Wars. It should be of particular interest to anyone keen on Chinese history, particularly from the women's point of view. If you like it, read Wild Swans by Jung Chang - I like it better and it's partly autobiographical.

This book kindly donated by eng4brb for a special project.

RELEASE NOTES:

18 April - UK Bookcrossers are wild releasing over 1500 books nationwide to publicise the work of Bookaid. Bookaid International supports literacy, education, training and publishing for the world's poorest readers. Find out how you can enable a reader in the developing world to share your love of books at www.bookaid.org

after encounter with the bookworm i found myself in posssion of this book. summer reading (or procrastination during exam time) -- that's the plan...

My first bookcrossing book! Lent to me by my housemate and soon to be releaed again.

RELEASE NOTES: