Rating: 
Summary: Was hoping to love this book !
Review: I picked up this book at the airport hoping for a good read on my transatlantic flight. The cover suggested that I would be pulled into the intrigue of the Forbidden City and I was eager to begin. Sadly the book failed to live up to its promise ! Although the author is obviously very knowledgable on her subject it just never caught on fire for me. The first 1/2 of the book was the best part as we were introduced to the details of Orchid's life, but the long section after her son's birth just dragged and dragged as new characters were introduced, new situations hurried through, and the promised intrigue failed to materialise. I did finish the book and the last few chapters were a little better. I felt that the author may have been over editorialised and had she been given a free hand would have produced a longer, more detailed book which despite its length would have proved more interesting. I was left with an empty feeling and a desire to know more.
Rating: 
Summary: Compelling and well-written
Review: I should have known I would like this book, having been through BALZAC AND THE LITTLE CHINESE MISTRESS and LIFE OF PI. This book is right up there with them. I honestly couldn't stop reading. Fascinating and well-crafted, this one is a keeper. Also try reading SECRET LIFE OF BEES and McCrae's BARK OF THE DOGWOOD if you're interested in well-written literature. All of these book are great, but by far, EMPRESS ORCHID is my favorite.
Rating: 
Summary: Refreshing
Review: I think from the fact that I finished it in 2 days explains how exciting it was. Having read "The Last Empress" which depicted quite a negative view of the last Empress, it was indeed wonderful to see her from this perspective, to see her as a woman in her own right fighting for survival rather than the manipulative, possibly evil ruler as she is often portrayed. Although it may not be 100% accurate, that didn't matter. I was moved by Ms Mins portrayal of the characters, especially Orchid herself and the devotion of An-te-Hai to his mistress. A truely compelling book full of love, devotion, passion, deceit and corruption. Fantastic!
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but lots of characters who disappear
Review: I thought that the book was well written, but there were characters who appeared once or twice and then never again. I thought it was an interesting view of the royal court in China during the 1800s. However, I got the feeling that maybe Orchid's actions were a little to present day to be believable. However, people will do what they need to do in order to survive, so that may have been part of it. I didn't completely understand the romance aspect--it never seemed to me that Orchid & the emperor connected on a level other than business-like. I will probably look up other books by this author.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: I usually don't review books but this is a really good one. I picked it up on impulse and couldn't put it down. Narrative quality and visual imagery reminded me of Memoirs of a Geisha.
Rating:
Summary: Great book that took me by surprise.
Review: I was pleasently surprised when I began to read this book. It started out as the only thing on the shelf so I took it as a last resort. It was a great read and I would recommend this to all.
Rating:
Summary: Forbidden City Uncensored
Review: I would highly recommend this book to anyone even if you think you're not into Chinese history. I read it because I loved Red Azalea (Min's highly acclaimed autobiography). Min has an amazing way of bringing history to life. I really felt like I knew the characters - Emperor Hsien Feng, Orchid, An-te-hai, etc. From the moment I began reading, I couldn't put it down. Even though the setting is 1800's China, it's themes are relevant to today.
Rating:
Summary: Forbidden City Uncensored
Review: I would highly recommend this book to anyone even if you're not into Chinese history. I read it because I loved Red Azaela (Min's highly acclaimed autobiography). Min has an amazing way of bringing history to life. I really felt like I knew the characters - Emperor Hsien Feng, Orchid, An-te-hai, etc. From the moment I began reading, I couldn't put it down. Even though the setting is 1800's China, its themes are relavant to today.
Rating:
Summary: Me either!
Review: I'm not even sure how I found out about this book, I start reading reviews, and I get so far off track two hours later! I thought the reviews for Empress Orchid were well written and helpful, and knowing nothing of Chinese culture I thought I'd take it out at the library. I think I'm going to have to buy it. It's EPIC. I am finished and depressed, as I always get after reading something extraordinary. I've read the dustjacket three times and I need more. I guess I'll just renew it from the library and read it all over again.
Thank you Anchee Min!!
Rating:
Summary: 3.85 STARS
Review: if youre interested in historically based books and you want something engrossing but not too heavy, then this is the book for you.
good characters, good plot, interesting story thats well told.
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