Imperial Woman [Paperback]

 

 

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There are some slight weaknesses to this so this could be 4 1/2 stars.
When I realized what this book was about I was quite surprised to find that a woman had ruled all of China to as recently as 1908, and for that reason alone it seemed like a promicing read, but it's even more then that.

This is a rare look into a different time and place with a different perspective. Principally this book is something of a biography of the Empress of China from 1861-1908, but starts some years before this period. So one weakness is so little of the common China is dealt with. But it's a good look behind the palace walls and the thinking that transpires behind it, and indeed it is written from the empress's eye view...so little if any is seen from the eyes of the common people or even of her immediate suboordinates.

This is undoubtedly something of a romantisized and probably softened look at this ruler, and it would be interesting to find a second "opinion" story or even an autobiography of this Empress, if such a work exists (does it? anyone know?). This would give the reader a couple of views, as indeed Pearl speaks of the existance of a very negative view that also prevailed about this ruler at the time, but she never seems to take this on or expound this perspective.

No doubt this could be a eye opener to those who are not too in favour of women in power. But this book has some curious things to say about women in power as well, which come from the women themselves...which might serve as a cautionary note as well.

Though I found this book quite interesting for these reasons alone, it did something for the reader that I found facinating, though it took a while before this became evident. We are allowed to become so submerged into the thinking and ways of the Chinese ruler during this period, we begin to see from their perspective on the intrusions of the colonials making inroads into China during this time. We can empathise with them when they try to ward off and obfuscate the forceful traders, and we even find ourselves not liking those who would force thier ways and goods onto the Chinese for their own gain. One wonders what might have been had the Chinese been equal in military capacity to the intruders.

This is a very interesting book and it gives the reader a rare glimpse in behind a wall that is usualy closed to the outsider. One got the feeling of a rare freedom to "look around" and out from hehind the Great wall.

IMPERIAL WOMAN
(The story of the Last Empress of China)

No history of China would be complete without an understanding of the influence and role of the last empress - Tzu Hsi. Pearl Buck presents this famous or infamous lady's impact on China in the form of a novel, never deviating from facts. As the story unravels, I am spellbound by the abundance of cultural, historical and political facts. This is one historical novel you will be reluctant to leave!

The story begins in 1852, Peking, when we learn 17 yr old Orchid has been chosen to present herself to the Imperial Court to see if she is acceptable to becoming a concubine to the Emperor, The Son of Heaven!
We learn that all is not well in China. The Chinese in the south are rebelling against the ruling Manchu; foreigners from Europe, Russia and America are demanding treaties and ports; there are political intrigues within the palace, lined up against Yehonala (Orchid) and her son heir; the Emperor is weak and sickly; the army cannot stand up to the new weapons brought against them by the West and the Christians are sewing seeds of change into the minds of the young. Into this mix, Yehonala must secure her son's right of succession and also build China back to its former strength. "The times were evil, the signs of Heaven portentous, the Emperor was weak, and only she could hold the throne secure for her son." (p. 58)
As the Emperor is slowly consumed, TZU HSI (her new name) uses his love to consolidate her position even more. She becomes Empress Mother and Regent of the Heir, her son and rules with absolute authority: ":She could be lenient...and could be hard and cruel...." (p. 173)

As Pearl progresses into the heart of the novel, we learn of Tzu Hsi's personal love; continued wars against Christians and Chinese rebels; Tzu Hsi's consolidation of power even over love of son; the end of the 15 year old T'ai P'ing Rebellion (1850-64) where 15-20 million died; the increasing threats and encroachments of the West and subsequent forced treaties; the debauchery of the eunuchs towards the young emperors; Tzu Hsi's jealousies and plots involving even her own son; the refusal of diplomats to kneel and other protocol problems; the retirement of Tzu Hsi and rebuilding of the Summer Palace; the death of her son at 19 years on Jan 12, 1875 and subsequent suicide of Alute; the installment of her 3 year old nephew as the new emperor; and supreme power restored (actually taken) to Tzu Hsi.

Each incident is a story unto itself, based on fact, with some assumptions and license taken. If we were not forewarned, we could enjoy this book as plausible fiction only but the realization that the novel is basically history leaves one in wonderment and astonishment. Every incident, every scene, and their result is astounding when one understands that one woman was capable of all these manipulations and intrigues. It is extremely difficult to put the book down!

All about Tzu-Hsi, last empress of China, who reigned from the 1860's until her death in 1908. She reigned during a period of great transition in China, as the book goes on there is increasing pressure from outside - the nations of England, France, Russia, United States and others demand from China increased trade and the rights to allow their citizens to live in China and their priests & missionaries to travel wherever they please. Japan too is an ever present threat. The empress was unable to adapt to modern times, and rather than building modern ships and arms that would have enabled China to defend itself, all the taxes collected were spent on luxuries and palaces for her, only at the very end of her days after defeat did she accept the idea that China could not keep itself isolated from all the other peoples of the world and finally opened to the idea of sending Chinese abroad to study foreign ways.

The story begins with the teenager Yehonala, betrothed to Jung-Lu, she and her cousin Sakota are chosen to be royal concubines of the Emperor, a sickly and weak man who so far has been unable to produce an heir. Through sheer guile and ambition, Yehonala becomes the favorite, and produces a son for the Emperor (or is it his son?). When the emperor dies, she becomes Empress mother, regent for her still young son, and upon his death she seizes the throne and becomes Empress in her own right, first sharing the throne with her cousin Sakota, then finally alone. As Empress of China, Tzu-Hsi has absolute power and can raise people up or down, have them beheaded or bestow mercy according to her whim, but she is unloved and deeply lonely as the extremely powerful often are.

This is a great novel, there is never a dull moment or wasted word and I found it hard to put down, this is a fascinating look at Chinese history and Tzu-Hsi herself is unforgettable. Selfish and sometimes foolish as she is, the reader is compelled to like her. I remember first reading about Tzu-Hsi in a novel called the Forbidden City by Muriel Jernigan and I never forgot her, it was a real treat to discover this book, a really great work of historical fiction.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Imperial Woman: Anything a man can do she can do better!
Imperial Woman tells the story of Tzu Hsi (pronounced Cixi). She was a well-known leader because not only was she the last empress of China, but also she was strong, smart,... Read more

Published on Jun 8 2003 by Bonnie

5.0 out of 5 stars Imperial Woman: Anything a man can do she can do better!
Imperial Woman tells the story of Tzu Hsi (pronounced Cixi). She was a well-known leader because not only was she the last empress of China, but also she was strong, smart,... Read more

Published on Jun 8 2003 by Bonnie

5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterpiece
Imperial Woman tells the story of Tzu-Hsi, the last Empress of China. It is well known that she was a formidable, fierce and cruelly efficient leader, but this story begins when... Read more

Published on Jun 8 2002 by Wendy Kaplan

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent and stunning biography
Imperial Woman describes the rise of Tzu-Hsi the last empress of China. In superior articualtion she weaves a story of a concubine's fight to be empress and to transcend a would... Read more

Published on July 7 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars An unforgettable work -- one of Pearl's best
Pearl Buck never ceases to amaze all who are fortunate enough to come across any of her works. The Imperial Woman is an astoundingly human book about Tzu Hsi, the Empress Dowager... Read more

Published on Nov 16 1999 by Elizabeth

5.0 out of 5 stars Perhaps one of the best books ever written.
This is the best book I have ever read. The characters leap out of the pages, and the descriptions make you feel like you are actually there. Read more

Published on Oct 1 1998

5.0 out of 5 stars Pearl S. Buck's finest book-- and that's saying a lot.
Though Tzu Hsi (pronounced Sue- Z) was the last Empress of China very little of her life-- both personal and private-- is known. Read more

Published on Nov 7 1997

5.0 out of 5 stars AN 1-CANT-PUT-THE-BOOK-DOWN WINNER
THE STORY OF AN ORDINARY WOMAN WHO USES HER EXTRAORDINARY TALENTS TO INFLUENCE HISTORY.THIS BOOK IS AN INTERWEAVING OF FACT AND FICTION, SUBMISSION AND REBELLION, WEAKNESSES AND... Read more

Published on Sep 28 1997 by MADTEN@HOTMAIL.COM

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