Empress Orchid

by Anchee Min | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 0747568332 Global Overview for this book
Registered by da-wildchildz of Nuneaton, Warwickshire United Kingdom on 1/5/2010
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4 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by da-wildchildz from Nuneaton, Warwickshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Time to get reading as it is reserved for ApoloniaX.

Journal Entry 2 by da-wildchildz from Nuneaton, Warwickshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, May 11, 2010
This was my second literary journey to China, following after Lisa See’s ‘Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.’ However, reading this was a completely dissimilar experience as it described a different way of life.

This novel provided an enlightening insight into the mechanic behind the Forbidden City. I enjoyed reading about the titles given to everything from royalty to the palaces and gardens. Empress Orchid was a strong character and I admired her intelligence. I much preferred the first half of the book as I found it to be rushed in the second half where events were presented as a series of events rather than an interlaced story.

All in all, I am glad to have read this book and have learnt some new ideas of Chinese history that have piqued my curiosity. I would not mind reading the sequel.

Journal Entry 3 by da-wildchildz at Bremen, Bremen Germany on Friday, May 14, 2010

Released 13 yrs ago (5/14/2010 UTC) at Bremen, Bremen Germany

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Sent to ApoloniaX, enjoy!

Journal Entry 4 by wingApoloniaXwing from Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin Germany on Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Received this in the mail today, along with another book and some bangles!
Thank you, da-wildchildz!!!

Journal Entry 5 by wingApoloniaXwing at Bremen, Bremen Germany on Monday, July 19, 2010
This is a really interesting novel about Chinese history in the 19th century and life at the Emperor’s court, in the form of a fictionalised account of the Empress Dowager Cixi. There is a lot of detail, so much that I sometimes thought the plot should just move on, but it is written in a very engaging style, so it never got boring. Recommendable!
Here is a good review.

Journal Entry 6 by wingApoloniaXwing at East Asian VBB, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, August 19, 2010

Released 13 yrs ago (8/19/2010 UTC) at East Asian VBB, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases

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KiwiinEngland chose this from
the East Asian VBB.

Travelling to Dublin now.

Journal Entry 7 by kiwiinengland at Dublin, Co. Dublin Ireland on Monday, August 23, 2010
Thanks for sending this book on ApoloniaX, plus all the other little goodies!!

I read Anchee Min's Red Azeala as part of a book ring and am looking forward to reading another book by the same author.

Journal Entry 8 by kiwiinengland at Dublin, Co. Dublin Ireland on Wednesday, October 6, 2010
I enjoyed the first half of this book more than the second, as the author's imagination seemed to be allowed more freedom exploring what life may have been like in the forbidden city for women.

Once Orchid became the mother of a future emporer more information was kept about her, and the author seemed bogged down by ensuring these historical facts were mentioned in the book. During the second half I got confused at times with why Orchid was reading documents, and then not, and then was again.

It is interesting to think that not only is it the victors who write history but mainly males, which does mean we have biased information to look back on.

Added to Apoloniax's Asian VBB being run end of 2011.

Journal Entry 9 by kiwiinengland at Manchester, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Thursday, December 29, 2011

Released 12 yrs ago (12/30/2011 UTC) at Manchester, Greater Manchester United Kingdom

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This book is heading to Kally93 in Canada, who won it in a raffle. Sent surface mail.

Journal Entry 10 by Kally93 at Brantford, Ontario Canada on Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Thank you for sending me this raffle book! Nice surprise! Thank you also for all the other goodies.

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