The Last Empress: A Novel

Historically Accurate

This book takes you through the life of the last empress orchid. It is actually a sequal to the book Empress Orchid. I read this book first I plan on reading the first one though. It is very accurate I looked up Emrpess Tzu Hsi (empress orchid) and she did exist and EVERYTHING that happend in the book was accurate it matched up with everything I looked up about this empress online. It is very interesting it is a great read if your a history fanatic especailly if your into ancient chinese history. Make sure you dont make the same mistake I did tho, read the book Empress Orchid first then this one, this is a sequel.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

a nineteenth century story in china

the last empress was a very interesting story as well as the hero, Empress Dowager Cixi (later known as Empress Orchid). it takes place in china during the 19th century as the the Ch'ing Dynasty was comin to an end. it begins by tellin about the loss of her mother. she later encounters another number of great losses (her son tung chih, her husband & later her nephew just 2 name a few). orchid had a servant/eunuch, An-te-hai, who was very true 2 her (and brave i mite add). i was sad when his life came 2 an end & can understand why orchid cried bout his loss & why she cared so much 4 him (i would have 2). her next servant (at the moment i cant recall his name) was just as kind 2 her but cant compare 2 An-te-hai who i felt thru out the book could never be replaced. orchid seemed 2 b the real leader in this book. guang-hsu, her adopted son (who is also her nephew) went thru alot himself as a child. he was rescued by his aunt (orchid) & was chosen by her 2 become the next emperor & would go 2 her for alot of advice. the story continues tellin bout guang-hsu's life as well as hers. on 14 Nov, 1908 she encounters another loss & this is of her nephew & then the next day it is hers. i learned alot bout the history that took place & after readin this last empress i just had 2 go out & buy Empress Orchid.

My thoughts

It was an enjoyable read, though not as exciting as Empress Orchid. It holds less romance and emotion, with pleanty of historical facts/fill-ins. It was nice to see how the reign of Empress Orchid comes to a close. Anchee Min's style of writing (as always) was wonderful.

I am history lover, especially my Chinese history, I can learn a lot...

I have read the book "Empress Orchid" which I liked so much, that is why I broght this bood. Cause I could stop to want know what's next...I think I like that one better, this one is kind depressing...:)).

Good Book

As someone has mentioned here that this book is not in accordance with historic events I wouldn't know that, because I know practically nothing about China, its history and culture. But I thought that the book was one of the best I've read in a while. While reading it I could emagine the palace (or at least how I saw it), the events that when on.... The language was good: not too simply and not too hard to read....
Otherwise, if I knew more about China I would probably critisize the book much more (that's what i do with the French history novels....lol)

Highly Glorified and not realistic....tries to hard to make Empress seem innocent

This book first of all is a highly glorified attempt to paint the Empress Orchid=Cixi in a favorable light making excuses for her crimes in history or covering them up. I would not by far count this as realistic in any way. It has been proven now that the Emperor Guang-Xsu was poisoned with arsenic by Empress Cixi, that she forced him into a marriage he did not like, and that she had drowned the woman he did love.In the book this woman sas "i'm going to committ suicie" and goes and jumps in a well...umm yeah not according to history! In the book all of this is glazed over ...it is so unrealistic. Another thing is Empress Cian or Neharoo was a well love Empress who was poisoned by Cixi so she could take over full power behind the empire. In the book Anchee minn paints EMpress Cian as an idiot/air head who has no clue over politics and she dies of the flu. Sorry Anchee Minn you can't distort history in order to make your main character appealing and have a happy ending. I would not recommend this hogwash...!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Must read book for all women!!

Thank you Anchee Min for your beautifully written books. They are sensitive, compassionate, detailed and very historical. You have opened new information and insights to the world and have become very valuable. My name is Kyoko Yamanouchi born in Peking, China. When my family ran from Mao to Korea to catch boat back to Japan, they left with nothing but one scroll painted by the Last Empress.

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