Empress Orchid (Empress Orchid, #1)

Jul 29, 2007

Bookshop rated it

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Shelves: fiction

I can't say exactly whether this book is a work of fiction or a biography. It tells the story of Ci Xi, China's Last Empress (the one who arranged the ascend of China's Last Emperor, Pu Yi) in her own voice. Ci Xi has always been portrayed as a ruthless, evil woman with insatiable thirst for power and, in this book, she's described as a simple and sensuous woman who wants the best for her husband, a mother who wants her son to have what's rightfully his, and a I-don't-know-what who wants the bes...moreI can't say exactly whether this book is a work of fiction or a biography. It tells the story of Ci Xi, China's Last Empress (the one who arranged the ascend of China's Last Emperor, Pu Yi) in her own voice. Ci Xi has always been portrayed as a ruthless, evil woman with insatiable thirst for power and, in this book, she's described as a simple and sensuous woman who wants the best for her husband, a mother who wants her son to have what's rightfully his, and a I-don't-know-what who wants the best for China.

The book starts off well: funny and engaging. I couldn't put it down. However to wards the end, it gets rather dishonest: this poor, uneducated girl has blossomed into a modern ruler who understands the need for foreign diplomacy and statesmanship (she authorized voting, for God's sake). OK, perhaps I'm not being fair here but the images toward the end of the book are closer to Hillary Clinton among books and state documents rather than Imperial China where the Emperor has the absolute power. All these are true accounts actually, it's just the portrayal that I think is exaggerated.

Unfortunately, the story ends when the son becomes the Emperor. The years following that, actually, are the most important ones which establishes her reputation as a powerful, ambitious, and intelligent Empress.

Writing style, it's nice and simple. Words and phrases flow well. Everything can be summarized in the following excerpt from Julia Lovell's review for the Guardian:

"Considering Anchee Min grew up in China and, according to her author biography, learned her English from Sesame Street, the language is generally pretty competent, and sometimes even engaging: bamboo rafts drift down a river "like a giant loose necklace". At other, less assured points, unfortunately, the tone swings queasily between fortune cookie wisdom ("A dead camel is bigger than a live horse"), Mills & Boon ("Take me," the empress gasps at Yung Lu when they find themselves alone together in the emperor's tomb) and the downright eccentric ("My body fermented like a steamed bun"). "

An easy read, for sure. Can get quite funny in the beginning. And the historical events, accurate or not, are quite harmless.

PS: expect a few erotically charged scenes in this book. Who says Asians are prudes? (less)

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Apr 09, 2010

dioscurio rated it

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Shelves: 3-borrowed, historical-fiction

Bayangkan jika kamu seorang gadis kurang beruntung -- ayahmu dicopot dari jabatannya sebagai gubernur rendahan hingga meninggal karena stres, dan kamu terpaksa menumpang di rumah pamanmu, terancam dinikahkan dengan sepupu yang jelek bin idiot -- dan ternyata kamu mendapat kesempatan tinggal di kota terlarang: tempat (mungkin) tiga ribu wanita bersaing memperebutkan cinta dari seorang lelaki, sang Putra Langit yang tidak mengenal istilah "seorang pendamping hidup" (buat apa, toh dia pun...moreBayangkan jika kamu seorang gadis kurang beruntung -- ayahmu dicopot dari jabatannya sebagai gubernur rendahan hingga meninggal karena stres, dan kamu terpaksa menumpang di rumah pamanmu, terancam dinikahkan dengan sepupu yang jelek bin idiot -- dan ternyata kamu mendapat kesempatan tinggal di kota terlarang: tempat (mungkin) tiga ribu wanita bersaing memperebutkan cinta dari seorang lelaki, sang Putra Langit yang tidak mengenal istilah "seorang pendamping hidup" (buat apa, toh dia punya persediaan selir untuk 8 tahun yang gak bakal abis kalo digilir tiap malam).

Pertanyaannya adalah: apakah kamu akan merasa beruntung, ato malah semakin meratapi nasib? Bagaimanapun menjadi seorang wanita istana berarti harus bersabar melihat suamimu dibagi dengan sekian ribu selirnya yang lain (doh, bayanginnya aja udah bikin makan ati).

Putri Yehonala memutuskan untuk mengadu nasib di kota terlarang -- menjadi satu dari enam "istri" Kaisar, mengalami suka duka kehidupan pernikahan ala Istana ketika dinasti Ch'ing tengah sekarat karena tekanan bangsa asing (Inggris, Prancis dan perang candu mereka).

Sebagai The Last Empress Cina, Yehonala digambarkan sebagai wanita picik haus kekuasaan yang menjadi icon penyebab keruntuhan dinasti Ch'ing. Namun dalam bukunya, Anchee Min sukses memberikan sentuhan berbeda pada sang Maharani. Yehonala digambarkan sebagai wanita yang menginginkan yang terbaik untuk suaminya, sang Kaisar, untuk anaknya, sang Kaisar muda, dan untuk negerinya: Cina.

Berhasil survive dari intrik kota terlarang, menjadi selir kesayangan Kaisar, dan menjadi ibu dari pewaris tahta kekaisaran, Yehonala juga mencicipi berbagai kepahitan hidup: "ditinggalkan" Kaisar ketika tengah mengandung, harus berbagi putranya dengan sang permaisuri, hingga melihat suaminya mati dalam keterhinaan.

Kisahnya sarat dengan intrik, dengan berbagai konflik yang asik untuk direnungkan. Saya terutama suka sekali penggambaran emosi dan karakter Yehonala yang bisa begitu kuat namun juga lemah, baik dan kejam.

Bayangkan seorang wanita-bukan-siapa2 yang sukses mematahkan sistem patriakal dan berhasil menjadi seorang pemimpin di dunia yang didominasi lelaki: memerintah dengan berpura2 tidak tahu cara memerintah, begitu yang diakuinya.

Satu poin paling menarik buat saya adalah kehidupan kota terlarang itu sendiri yang begitu kejam dan sarat intrik. Betapa mudahnya seorang favorit Kaisar dicampakkan dan bahkan diberi hukuman mati. Tempat dimana hari esok tampak sebagai bayangan kabur, tidak terprediksikan. Sehari kamu berkuasa dan hari berikutnya seseorang memerintahkan kamu diberi hukuman potong anggota tubuh dan memaksa kamu hidup teronggok di dalam guci.

Akhir kata: saya resmi jadi team Yehonala !! Keren !!
Sangat direkomendasikan..(less)

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Sep 15, 2008

Elizabeth rated it

Recommends it for: historical fiction junkies

I didn't enjoy this book as much as "Becoming Madame Mao" and "Red Azalea," and would be more apt to award it 3 and a half stars if that rating were available.

Regardless, the book depicts a fascinating time in Chinese history. Imperial China, deeply rooted in ritual and tradition, comes alive in Min's novel about the last Empress of China, Tzu Hsi. I enjoy rags to riches stories, but this one comes at a cost. Imperial life is lavish, yet stifling. The Forbidden Ci...moreI didn't enjoy this book as much as "Becoming Madame Mao" and "Red Azalea," and would be more apt to award it 3 and a half stars if that rating were available.

Regardless, the book depicts a fascinating time in Chinese history. Imperial China, deeply rooted in ritual and tradition, comes alive in Min's novel about the last Empress of China, Tzu Hsi. I enjoy rags to riches stories, but this one comes at a cost. Imperial life is lavish, yet stifling. The Forbidden City is a place of danger and intrigue, and Min works to build tension and suspense in Orchid's early life as one of seven wives to the Emperor. She doesn't achieve this as efficiently as she does in "Madame Mao," or "Red Azalea," whose danger feels more immediate and developed. This may be due to the author's distance from the material, as she is a survivor of the Cultural Revolution and obviously more in tune with the trials of that time. Nevertheless, "Empress Orchid" has great moments.

Min writes Orchid well. I think she captures an essence of Orchid that only a Chinese woman can. I really enjoyed the slow transformation Orchid makes from naive nobody to Empress. Min creates a conflicted and charged character without twisting her to Western ideals or subjecting her to a 21st century makeover. Some say that Orchid is flat, or wished to see more emotion from her, criticizing Min's talent for character development, but I think Orchid's careful reflection and suppressed emotion are more appropriate for a girl/woman from her time and culture. Passion, at least its expression, seems to be a western privilege and ideal, and Orchid's world consists of much more calculation and precision. I find Min portrays this, and am thankful for it, although it may make for less steamy, page-turning reading.

As Orchid moves up in the Emperor's favor, Min takes the opportunity to splice in historical anecdotes, including references to the Opium Wars and their aftermath/implications for China. In a twist, the Emperor refers to the Western invaders (Britain, France, US, Russia) as "barbarians," and this gives Western readers a chance to reflect on their own history books which depict that same history, but in a Western "voice." These historical/political digressions and Min's heavy description on Imperial art and everyday life do slow down the novel's otherwise engrossing story about manipulation, power, and (at times) seduction, but perhaps this makes the story more rounded? I'm not sure these parts flow seamlessly, as if Min is not sure which type of book she'd like to write, but I did appreciate each part on its own.

Min's research has been called in to question with "Empress Orchid," but the fact remains that little is known about Tzu Hsi, yet she stands as a notorious and unloved figure in both Chinese and Western history. I appreciate Min's spin on the Empress as an alternative, or supplement, to history, but do not forget, as a reader, that this is a fictional account and should never be interpreted in place of history. After I finish "The Last Empress," Min's sequel to this book depicting the majority of Tzu Hsi's reign, I may feel more in a position to criticize Min's historical fiction on this period.
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Aug 20, 2008

coffeedog added it

I really wanted to love this book. I loved the author's autobiography (RED AZELEA) and her novel (KATHERINE)about a foreign English teacher in China, so I expected EMPRESS ORCHID to bring together her amazing talent for prose narrative in English, enhanced with her first-hand research of Chinese sources, to bring to life the mis-judged history of Empress Dowager Tz'u Hsi. [return][return]I anticipated some embellishments, but the total re-creation of Tzu Hsi as "Orchid", into a kind of...moreI really wanted to love this book. I loved the author's autobiography (RED AZELEA) and her novel (KATHERINE)about a foreign English teacher in China, so I expected EMPRESS ORCHID to bring together her amazing talent for prose narrative in English, enhanced with her first-hand research of Chinese sources, to bring to life the mis-judged history of Empress Dowager Tz'u Hsi. [return][return]I anticipated some embellishments, but the total re-creation of Tzu Hsi as "Orchid", into a kind of modern woman-warrior, was too much for me. To ask the reader to believe that an uneducated female was able to "pick up" enough formal literary Chinese to be able to read court documents is stretching history way too far. Wouldn't it have made a more fascinating story to construe how Orchid was able to hold onto power so long in spite of being illiterate? [return][return]The first third of the book is a masterful depiction of the sights, smells, sounds, social structure, of late 19th Century China, and would have gained 5 stars, but the rest devolved into conjecture after conjecture which mix like sour notes in an otherwise brilliant composition. It's a novel, but it's not a historical novel. Moreover, I $en$ed that the whole $tory was being pitched to the $maller mind$ of Hollywood in hope of a movie deal. I felt like the author let down her loyal fans while trying to ride her own popularity to chase the $$. [return][return]The best part of Empress Orchid is the list of 5 tone-setting quotations from other sources in the facing page prior to the map (unnumbered pages). One of these quotes is from Sterling Seagrave from his book DRAGON LADY: THE LIFE AND LEGEND OF THE LAST EMPRESS OF CHINA, which refers to the fact that in 1974 most of the previously trusted scholarship on Tzu Hsi had been revealed as counterfeit. This led me to buy Seagrave's book, which explores the falsehoods of these earlier works, and turns into a fluid and fascinating narrative that is truly Biographical History. [return][return]In short, you can choose to spend your precious time on 336 pages of a fictional romance novel (Empress Orchid), or 463 pages of intelligent, delicious historical biography (followed by 135 pages of fascinating notes and complete index). As a student of Chinese language, literature, and history, I recommend reading Seagrave's book first.(less)

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Jul 17, 2009

Kirsty (Blatant Biblioholic) rated it

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Shelves: historical-fiction, china

The book follows the story of Tzu Hsi (known as Orchid) who enters the Forbidden City as one of the Emperors concubines at the age of seventeen. Over time she seduces the Emperor and bears his son, which means an immediate rise in rank to 2nd Empress (1st Empress is Nuharoo). We see her struggle to keep the Emperor's interest whilst battling with Nuharoo to be allowed to raise her child herself (normal custom is for the first Empress to take over). When the Emperor dies, and names Orchid's son a...moreThe book follows the story of Tzu Hsi (known as Orchid) who enters the Forbidden City as one of the Emperors concubines at the age of seventeen. Over time she seduces the Emperor and bears his son, which means an immediate rise in rank to 2nd Empress (1st Empress is Nuharoo). We see her struggle to keep the Emperor's interest whilst battling with Nuharoo to be allowed to raise her child herself (normal custom is for the first Empress to take over). When the Emperor dies, and names Orchid's son as heir, the two Empresses take over as regents, and a battle for power ensues with Su Shun - the Emperor's right-hand man. The two Empresses struggle to hold up the country under increasing pressure from foreign armies.

This is a wonderfully gripping story. Its exotic setting and fascinating subject matter makes it compelling reading. The book is also very well researched, and as such I believe it is part biography, part fiction.

It's based on the story of Ci Xi - China's last Empress. Whilst in History, she's portrayed as ruthless and power hungry, in this book we see her as a (relatively) normal women, struggling with the customs of the Forbidden City. A woman who just wants the best for the people and country she loves.

I was fascinated (and sometimes horrified!) to read about the laws and the customs inside the Forbidden City, for instance I had never realised that the Emperor's wives were not allowed to do anything for themselves or on their own (even going to the toilet, they were accompanied). I'm not sure I could have lived like that! Also the punishments were very severe - in some cases for the most trivial of things!

My feelings towards the characters changed somewhat throughout the book. From the beginning I had a real empathy for Orchid, and this remained throughout, however whilst I quite liked Nuharoo at the beginning, I found myself more and more frustrated with the way she was acting, to the point where I found myself becoming angry with her. This softened slightly towards the end, but I still didn't like her much. The Emperor really annoyed me at the beginning of the book, but as the story progressed and we saw a different side to him, I actually started to quite like him!

It took me a while to read, as I found the subject matter required more concentration than other books I'd read, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I'll definitely be picking up the sequel. (less)

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Jan 30, 2012

Elecktra rated it

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Shelves: my, favorites

tratta la storia dell'ultima imperatrice cinese Cixi. nella storia attuale questa donna era stata mal vista perchè secondo la storia moderna era un'imperatrice malvagia che pensava solo a se stessa.
nel libro l'autrice ci fa scorgere il punto di vista di Cixi, cè la fa conoscere prima coe una ragazzina appartenente ad una famiglia povera ma di nobili origini che pur di evitare un matrimonio sbagliato fa le selezioni per diventare una delle moglio dell'imperatore Xiang-Fen.
ottenuto il titolo di im...more

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Feb 04, 2009

Toni Osborne rated it

This is a fictionalized account of Empress Tsu His (known as Orchid) who was the power behind the throne of the Ch'ing Dynasty in the 19th century. According to the author the characters are base on real people and the events kept closed to the events in history. The decrees and poems were translated from the original documents:

In the 1850's European incursions and peasant rebellions were already undermining the Dynasty. At the same time Orchid born in to poverty came to the Forbidde...more

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Dec 25, 2011

Sarah rated it

I picked this book up at the book fair because I thought it sounded interesting. It's a historical, fictional biography of the last Empress of China (1860's to 1900's), so it involves a lot of Chinese history. Orchid is the eldest daughter of a local governor who ends up being chosen as a concubine for the emperor of China. She gets moved to the Forbidden City and the rest of the book is about the life she lived there.

The author did a great deal of research into Chinese history and ...more

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Nov 22, 2011

Indri Hapsari rated it

entah apa yang membuat anchee min kemudian terinspirasi untuk menggambarkan secara detail isi di dalam istana terlarang, bahkan hingga kemelut dan betapa pusingnya seorang anggrek yang berusaha menstabilkan panji negara Cina dengan tekanan saat itu (seorang suami yang sakit-sakitan dan memiliki banyak selir, anak yang tidak dapat diasuh sepenuhnya akibat anggrek adalah selir kedua dan dibenci ibu suri, korupsi dan nepotisme yang meraja lela, perang di seluruh dataran Cina, dan lain sebagainya). ...more

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Oct 15, 2011

Elizabeth rated it

Shelves: historical-fiction

This book paints a picture of China as it succumbs to colonial power as told through the lens of a woman who was China's last empress. The book provides an excellent history (albeit fictionalized to a degree) to the challenges China faced as western nations sought to open the country to trade. By telling the story through the eyes of a girl who is plucked from poverty to be come one of the young emperor's eight wives, we see the vivid contrast between the lives of the different class strata in C...moreThis book paints a picture of China as it succumbs to colonial power as told through the lens of a woman who was China's last empress. The book provides an excellent history (albeit fictionalized to a degree) to the challenges China faced as western nations sought to open the country to trade. By telling the story through the eyes of a girl who is plucked from poverty to be come one of the young emperor's eight wives, we see the vivid contrast between the lives of the different class strata in Chinese culture.

The book provides an interesting contrast to out modern relationship with China. In this story, western powers were clamoring to open CHinese ports to trade, particularly Opium. They achieve this goal through fire power and violence. Today the West still clamors to open China to trade, but China now appears to hold the upper hand, perhaps remembering how western nations treated China in the not so distant past.

The relationship between the Emperor and his wives and many concubines reflects the value that Chinese culture placed on women The emperor had eight wives and many other lesser concubines THe emperor is not supposed to fall in love with any of these women. He was not supposed to even spend the night with any single woman. Their relationships existed to provide heirs, preferably male heirs. Ultimately, Orchid, elevates her status by bearing the emperor's only son.

This arrangement takes a toll on the man and women. The emperor feels like a steed or a hired stud and treats these women with indifference. The women face a life of interminable loneliness. Orchid, hoping to become a favored wife, seeks training and escapes the forbidden city of a few days to learn the art of pleasuring a man. (The book does not provide extensive detail on these talents in case you're wondering). These techniques combined with her spirit and educated mind lead her to become the Emperor's favorite. This favoritism however bring about her ruin as the emperor dies.

The book's a thoroughly enjoyable read for its rich descriptions, historical content, the glimpse into racial, class and gender differences and the insight on political intrigue.

* Another review I wrote by hand when I read the book years ago. (less)

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Sep 28, 2011

Sue rated it

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Shelves: gourdon-group

This is the fictionalised account of Empress Tzu Hsi's early life.

I knew little of this period of Chinese history before I read the book and it was a great way for me to discover a little more. I found it easy to read, interesting, never dull. In the course of her research Anchee Min was given access through the 'back door', as she puts it, to the papers of the Empress and her entourage in the Forbidden City. She also researched medical records, accounts and police records. Her desc...moreThis is the fictionalised account of Empress Tzu Hsi's early life.

I knew little of this period of Chinese history before I read the book and it was a great way for me to discover a little more. I found it easy to read, interesting, never dull. In the course of her research Anchee Min was given access through the 'back door', as she puts it, to the papers of the Empress and her entourage in the Forbidden City. She also researched medical records, accounts and police records. Her descriptions of the Forbidden City (and the very helpful map in the front of the book) made it easy to visualise the palaces and the vastness of the City itself.

By telling the story of the Empress in the first person Min has added an interesting slant to the story. By all accounts Empress Tzu Hsi was a despotic character who had people executed if they disagreed with her or challenged her in any way. Chinese history labels her as an 'enemy of the human race' but Min considers that she was a 'a great politician, a clever strategist, and a caring mother and lover'.

The account highlights the lowness of the position of women in Chinese society, and particularly the place of the concubine; that Orchid was able to rise to such a position of power in her life is all the more remarkable for that. It is a story of the struggle for power, of loyalty and betrayal, love and intrigue and as gripping as any novel.

I think it is important to remember two things when reviewing this book - one that it is a fictionalised account, written in the first person, attempting to get inside the mind of the Empress herself; and secondly that the book ends when she is just 26 years old. The sequel, The Last Empress, is on my bookshelf now and I'm looking forward to reading about the rest of Orchid's life and learning more about the history of China in that period.

Why did I give the book only three points out of five? Well, I would have given it three and a half to be honest. There were moments when I felt that fiction was winning over fact and there were a few 'Mills and Boon' moments which I felt could have been written much better than they were. Perhaps the American influence (was the book written primarily for the American market?) over-sanitised and over-romanticised things occasionally.(less)

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Aug 03, 2011

Kelli rated it

The Empress Orchid, written by Anchee Min, is about the Ch’ing Dynasty in 1852. A concubine, Tzu Hsi known as Orchid as a child, was able to win the affections of the Emperor, Hsien Feng, and gave him a son then found herself the ruler of China. Reading about Chinese history and their royal families, this was fascinating.

The Empress Orchid and the other books I have read are the reason why I LOVE to read. For that moment as I’m reading a book, I can travel to another world, live in ...moreThe Empress Orchid, written by Anchee Min, is about the Ch’ing Dynasty in 1852. A concubine, Tzu Hsi known as Orchid as a child, was able to win the affections of the Emperor, Hsien Feng, and gave him a son then found herself the ruler of China. Reading about Chinese history and their royal families, this was fascinating.

The Empress Orchid and the other books I have read are the reason why I LOVE to read. For that moment as I’m reading a book, I can travel to another world, live in a fantasy or learn about a mystical place. The creativity and imaginary scenarios in books are so much better than what is offered in TV shows and movies. I enjoy the book more than the movie that was based on a book, i.e., Twilight, because of all the details in a book are never included in the movie.

In Empress Orchid, I was able to live Tzu’s life as a concubine and as a royal. Tzu strived to be more than just one of the Emperor’s many concubines. This girl was ambitious and smart and she figured out what would make the Emperor notice her. She gained his attention and his love through good old fashion sex! But Tzu didn’t just lay down with the Emperor and poof she had his heart, the ambitious concubine learned the art of seducing and pleasuring a man.

Tzu had a lot of bedroom talent, but her intelligence went beyond the boudoir. During her time with the Emperor, she became his secretary and aided him in running the country. This prepared Tzu for her future role as the Empress of China after Emperor Feng died.

Min takes us to another century and teaches us about Chinese culture that is beautifully written with vivid details. In the Empress Orchid, we learn about the struggles of being a concubine and the cruel realities of living among the royal family. Also, the difficulties of ruling over a country and the pressures of being the Emperor of China while trying to keep outsiders from invading.

If you are fascinated by history and love to read romance, Empress Orchid is a mix of both. The reader can experience a time before their existence and immerse themselves in a love that blooms between a commoner and royalty.

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Apr 11, 2011

Windy hapsari rated it

This book was recommended by my friend. According to her, the story is very good.
According to me this book is half biography. The story of the life of empress dowager Orchid. One of emperor hsien feng mistress.
She's the daughter of poor governor, after the death of his father, her mother took his father rule as breadwinner and she help the family financial by working at ex servant of late emperor mistress.
From her she gets lot of information about what happened inside forbidd...more

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Mar 18, 2011

Suzan Oktaria rated it

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Sebelumnya saya telah membaca The Last Empress, padahal novel ini yang menceritakan sisi Lain dari Orchid ini adalah buku pertama. Jangan ikuti jejak saya membaca buku terbalik ya :D

Jika dalam sejarah, Orchid yang lebih di kenal dengan nama Permaisuri Tsu Zhi, perempuan paling berkuasa pada awal abad 20 di Cina
kepiawannya memimpin Cina, membawa Cina dalam masa bertahan, karena pada saat Orchid berkuasa, Cina sudah berada dalam keadaan terpuruk dengan hutang-hutang leluhur kepa...more

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May 17, 2010

Kami rated it

Shelves: fiction, historical

I do not know a lot about China and its history. This book about a concubine in the forbidden city was fascinating. The elaborate wealth and tradition bound the forbidden city into a den of indulgence, loneliness, and intrigue. I learned a lot about eunuchs as well. I wish I knew how much was fiction and how much really happened. The book focuses at the time when China's wealth and power are fading. Europe is invading and some provinces are not happy and want to leave as well. Add to thes...more

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Mar 07, 2010

Hilda rated it

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Shelves: tears

Drama cinta dan kekuasaan selir muda Kaisar Hsien Feng... Indah, menawan, dan penuh intrik.

Tzu Hsi Yehonala, atau yang dalam bahasa Cina berarti anggrek adalah seorang Maharani, terlebih dia kaisar wanita yang paling lama berkuasa di Cina. Tapi Anggrek tidak mencapai posisi itu dengan mudah. Dia yang dulu hanyalah gadis desa, berhasil mendapatkan kekuasaan lewat rayuan, intrik politik, dan kecerdasan luar biasa.

Anggrek dulu hanyalah gadis berumur 17 tahun dari klan Yehona...moreDrama cinta dan kekuasaan selir muda Kaisar Hsien Feng... Indah, menawan, dan penuh intrik.

Tzu Hsi Yehonala, atau yang dalam bahasa Cina berarti anggrek adalah seorang Maharani, terlebih dia kaisar wanita yang paling lama berkuasa di Cina. Tapi Anggrek tidak mencapai posisi itu dengan mudah. Dia yang dulu hanyalah gadis desa, berhasil mendapatkan kekuasaan lewat rayuan, intrik politik, dan kecerdasan luar biasa.

Anggrek dulu hanyalah gadis berumur 17 tahun dari klan Yehonala, salah satu klan penguasa Manchu di Cina. Ditinggal mati ayahnya seorang mantan gubernur miskin, Anggrek dan keluarganya harus mencari cara untuk hidup di tengah kerasnya dunia. Sebagai anak sulung, Anggrek akan melakukan segala cara untuk melindungi keluarganya, termasuk menikahi sepupunya yang terbelakang. Nasib baik melindunginya, karena sebelum pernikahannya, ada pemberitahuan dari istana bahwa Kaisar Hsien Feng sedang mencari istri. Merasa dirinya memenuhi syarat, Anggrek pun mengumpulkan keberaniannya dan menghadap Kantor Pemerintah. Beruntung, dia diloloskan dan menjalani pemeriksaan ketat untuk menjadi istri. Para kasim dan dayang meloloskan dirinya, dan beberapa bulan kemudian, bersama dua ratus orang gadis Manchu lainnya, Anggrek pun berangkat ke istana.

Dalam pertemuannya dengan Kaisar Hsien Feng, Anggrek membuat sang Kaisar tertarik dengan kegugupan dan senyum rahasianya. Kaisar pun dengan ringan meloloskan dirinya sebagai salah satu dari tujuh istri resmi Kaisar. Anggrek sulit mempercayai dirinya sendiri ketika dia akhirnya menjadi Selir tingkat keempat Kaisar. Membawa gairah dan harapan, Anggrek berambisi menjadi selir kesayangan Kaisar. Tapi malang baginya, ternyata Kaisar telah melupakannya. Anggrek kini hanyalah salah satu dari 3000 Selir Istana. Pantang menyerah dan dengan dukungan kasim setianya An-te-hai, Anggrek akhirnya berhasil memikat Kaisar dan menjadi selir kesayangannya.

Hidup di Kota Terlarang bagaikan peperangan dalam merebut perhatian Kaisar, satu-satunya lelaki dari 3000 wanita di sana. Berkali-kali Anggrek berusaha dijebak karena kecemburuan para wanita, terutama Nuharoo sang Permaisuri. Dalam pertahanannya, diam-diam tiap malam Anggrek belajar dari Kaisar tentang politik ketika Kaisar menceritakan traktrat-traktat Cina dengan bangsa asing. Politik adalah dunia yang dianggap tabu bagi wanita, tapi Anggrek dengan kecerdasannya berhasil menutupi kepandaiannya hingga saatnya muncul.

Kaisar Hsien Feng adalah Kaisar yang lemah, yang tergantung pada Su Shun penasihat utamanya. Tak jarang dia membuat Anggrek frustasi dengan kesombongannya, ketidaksensitifannya, dan kepengecutannya. Saat Anggrek sedang hamil tua, dia bersenang-senang dengan para gadis Cina dan menelatarkan Anggrek. Perhatiannya baru kembali ketika Anggrek melahirkan seorang bayi laki-laki yang diberi nama Tung Chih. Tapi kebahagiaan Anggrek akan perhatian Kaisar yang kembali tidak bertahan lama. Kaisar Hsien Feng akhirnya meninggal dunia pada umurnya yang begitu muda karena penyakit dan stress, tiga puluh tahun, meninggalkan permaisuri dan selir-selirnya.

Gigih mengajari anaknya Tung Chih sang Kaisar Muda agar tidak mengikuti jejak ayahnya, Anggrek menerima perlakuan dingin dan pemberontakan dari sang Kaisar Muda. Tung Chih malah akrab dengan Nuharoo, membuat Anggrek merasa cemburu dan semakin kesepian. Anggrek di tengah penderitaannya bertemu Yung Lu, bawahan Su Shun yang pandai, tampan, dan setia padanya. Tapi Anggrek harus melawan kebutuhannya akan keintiman, karena statusnya sebagai janda Kaisar tidak mengizinkannya memiliki hubungan apapun dengan lelaki.

Anggrek mendapatkan segalanya, tetapi juga kehilangan segalanya. Harga dari keberhasilannya bertahan adalah sederetan pengorbanan pribadi serta penderitaan. Kesepian yang mendalam adalah harga yang harus ditanggungnya sebagai seorang Maharani. Anggrek adalah perempuan yang berhasil berhasil bertahan dan akhirnya mendominasi... dunia laki-laki.

Mengapa mataku gagal menemukan kesenangan di ruangan yang penuh dengan harta benda ini? Pelayan-pelayan mendaniku dengan jubah-jubah cantik. Aku berjalan ke meja rias, dan melihat kecantikan tiada tara. Aku berputar mengamati perlengkan kamar, panel-panel mozaiknya yang penuh dengan batu mulia dan hasil panen yang berlimpah. Hatiku menjerit : Apa lagi yang masih, bisa, dan berani kau inginkan, Anggrek?
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Dec 30, 2009

Amanda rated it

My second book of the year is Empress Orchid by Anchee Min, an historical novel about Tzu Hsi, concubine-turned-empress of China. It's "an epic of a country girl who seized power through seduction, murder and endless intrigue... she alone seems campable of holding the country together" (thanks, book jacket).

I think I'm going to look back on the year and not rank Empress Orchd in the top ten. It was very good, and definitely one of those books that, while I was readi...more

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Sep 20, 2009

Tara Chevrestt rated it

Shelves: women-that-really-existed-fiction, historical-fiction, chinese-history-culture

I enjoyed the first half of this novel more than the last. The first half had a more personal feel and a little less historical data. The last half, at moments, was too much political drama and history for my taste. I love to read history, but it must be told in a manner that I will not forget it 5 minutes after reading it. I liked the main character, Orchid and I grew very angry at times reading about her plights and the way she was treated in the forbidden city. The novel follows Orchid as tee...more

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Apr 13, 2009

Elketw rated it

Category: Books
Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
Author: An Chee Min

Novel ini menceritakan tentang kisah hidup seorang gadis Manchu yang bernama Anggrek Yehonala yang pada kemudian hari akan menjadi Permaisuri Cina yang sangat terkenal.

Awal cerita dimulai dengan cerita kematian ayah Yehonala yang sebelumnya merupakan Gubernur propinsi Wuhu. Meninggalnya sang ayah membuat Anggrek beserta Ibu dan kedua adiknya berada dalam kemiskinan. Keluarganya kemudian melakuka...more

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Feb 15, 2010

Petta Rosetta rated it

beberapa saat sebelum aku baca empress orchid, aku baca tajmahal-nya john shors, dan melihat beberapa persamaan antara kisah keduanya.
empress orchid dan jahanara (putri dari mumtaz mahal dan -siapa tuh nama bapaknya-) sama-sama berada dalam lingkungan yang menganggap kepemimpinan wanita lemah dalam kerajaan, mereka harus berjuang keras untuk bertahan diantara saudara serta pejabat-pejabat yang lain.
empress orchid memiliki pelayan setia, seorang kasim bernama an-te-hai, sementara jaha...more

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Mar 28, 2011

Lainy rated it

Empress Orchid by Anchee Min

This book was not at all what I expected. It is centered around the Emperor of China and her quest to rid herself and her family of poverty and marrying her unsavoury cousin.

We start at the beginning of Orchids life, briefly one sentence and then the memory of the loss of her father and how her family tries to get him to his respectful resting place with very little funds to do so. With no financial or materialistic prospects the only solution is...more

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Jan 27, 2011

Vina Crystelline rated it

Shelves: ebooks, wishlist, reviewed, read-in-2011, 4-stars, around-us

Orchid, masuk ke istana untuk menjadi satu dari 3.000 selir yang terpilih. Terlahir dan dibesarkan secara berkecukupan, Ayahnya menjabat sbg Gubernur di Provinsi Wuhu. Tapi nasib tidak selamanya berpihak. Tiba2 Sang Ayah dipecat dari jabatannya karna tidak bs meredam pemberontakan petani yang gagal panen di Provinsinya. Hidup mereka langsung jatuh melarat, menjual semua harta benda untuk menghidupi keluarga dan pengobatan Ayahnya yang jadi sakit-sakitan semenjak pemecatannya. Waktu Ayahnya Orchi...moreOrchid, masuk ke istana untuk menjadi satu dari 3.000 selir yang terpilih. Terlahir dan dibesarkan secara berkecukupan, Ayahnya menjabat sbg Gubernur di Provinsi Wuhu. Tapi nasib tidak selamanya berpihak. Tiba2 Sang Ayah dipecat dari jabatannya karna tidak bs meredam pemberontakan petani yang gagal panen di Provinsinya. Hidup mereka langsung jatuh melarat, menjual semua harta benda untuk menghidupi keluarga dan pengobatan Ayahnya yang jadi sakit-sakitan semenjak pemecatannya. Waktu Ayahnya Orchid meninggal, keluarga mereka jadi punya banyak hutang disana-sini. Akhirnya Orchid sekeluarga numpang hidup sama Pamannya Orchid. Mulanya sih oke2 saja Paman ini, tapi lama2 si Paman mulai ngerasa kalau Orchid sekeluarga menjadi beban buat dia. Jadi si Paman mengatur siasat supaya Orchid mau nikah ama anak cowoknya yang terbelakang mental. Orchid merasa terpukul. Dia nggak mau nikah ama sepupunya itu. Waktu itu, kerajaan sedang mengadakan pencarian Calon istri-istri buat Kaisar mereka. Jadinya Orchid ikutan. Dan secara mengejutkan, dia terpilih. Walaupun, bukan sbg Permaisuri, dan cuma Selir, derajat Orchid dan keluarga langsung meningkat drastis.. Keluarganya diberi banyak hadiah dan harta. Pokoknya heboh.. Tapi sedihnya, Orchid bakal terancam gak bs ketemu lg ama keluarganya kalau dia uda masuk istana. Karna peraturannya yang ketat banget.

Setelah masuk istana kehidupan Orchid malah bs dibilang mengecewakan buat dia. Selama berbulan-bulan semenjak diangkat jadi selir, dia sama sekali gak pernah disentuh ama Kaisar. Bayangin aja Kaisar punya 3.000 selir. Bgmn bisa dia secara seenaknya milih selir yang beda-beda tiap malam. Akhirnya si Orchid nekad buat nyuap Kasimnya Kaisar buat ngatur malam pertamanya ama Kaisar. Jadi ya gitu, Kaisar beneran jatuh cinta ama sosok Orchid yang cantik dan cerdas.. Selama berbulan-bulan dia gak mau nyentuh Selir-Selir lainnya, sampe Permaisuri pun dicuekin.. Dia cuma mau Orchid tiap malam dikamarnya. Titik. Bs dibilang itu masa kejayaannya Orchid sbg Selir lah. Semua pada iri sama dia, termasuk Permaisuri. Sampai akhirnya dia hamil, dan ngelahirin seorang Putra. Putra Pertama Kaisar yang berarti Putra Mahkota Cina. Nah, naik lagilah derajatnya Orchid, skrg dia sudah 'hampir' setara dengan Permaisuri.. Yah, tapi pada akhirnya Orchid harus rela berbagi Putranya dengan Putri Nuharoo (si Permaisuri). Malah menurut adat, Permaisuri lebih punya hak dalam mendidik dan membesarkan Putranya dibandingkan Orchid sendiri.. *kasian yaa..** selain masalah perebutan Tahta, harta dan perhatian dari Kaisar, cerita ini juga dibumbui dengan intrik2 dunia politik. Perbedaan derajat antara wanita dan laki2 juga masih kental dibuku ini. Perempuan dianggap tidak pantas buat diskusi politik, ikut campur urusan kerajaan, atau rapat2 kerajaan. Pokoknya kerjaan Perempuan itu cuma dandan, merajut, ngegosip. Titik gak pake koma. Sedikit tersinggung melihat rendahnya pendapat wanita dianggap. Tapi berkat buku ini, aku jadi banyak tau tentang budaya Cina pada zaman cerita bersetting, spt buku A Thousand Splendid Sun yang byk ngasih info ke aku tentang budaya dan adat istiadat timur tengah. Kalo di Cina terkenal dg tradisi kerajaannya, sdgkan di Timur-Tengah kental dg nuansa Islaminya, meski kadang menurut aku kedua-duanya sedikit 'berlebihan' dalam menanggapi perbedaan.

Secara keseluruhan, ceritanya keren, pengarangnya pintar merangkai berbagai kejadian jadi satu lingkup permasalahan yang kompleks.. Terjemahannya juga ngalir. Dari bab2 pertama buku udah gak bisa berhenti bacanya.. Pokoke keren. Tapi kok liat2 di wiki si Orchid (aka Tzu Hsi, Dragon Lady, dsb ini) orangnya beda banget ama yang dijelasin dibuku ini. Diceritain orangnya ambisius, jahat, dan konon Cina jatuh karna campur tangan Orchid dipemerintahan. Ahh, terlepas cerita mana yang benar atau salah, yang jelas aku sangat menikmati karakter Orchid yang diciptakan dibuku ini. Kuat, tangguh, dan cerdas. Yang agak bikin sebel malah endingnya yang sangat menggantung. Dan bikin penasaran buat lanjut kebuku kedua. Ughh.. Ada yang punya ebooknya??(less)

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Oct 09, 2010

Chris rated it

Shelves: historical-fiction, far-east-and-orient

The first grown-up movie (a movie with subtitles, adult themes, and not based on a comic book or video game) I ever saw was The Last Emperor. I saw it pre-high school. I can't remember why I wanted to see it. I can remember really wanting to see it and loving it. I still love it. So it should be no surprise that the first Anchee Min book I pick up is this one.

At this point, I should let you know that I know very little about Chinese history so I cannot judge this book on its his...moreThe first grown-up movie (a movie with subtitles, adult themes, and not based on a comic book or video game) I ever saw was The Last Emperor. I saw it pre-high school. I can't remember why I wanted to see it. I can remember really wanting to see it and loving it. I still love it. So it should be no surprise that the first Anchee Min book I pick up is this one.

At this point, I should let you know that I know very little about Chinese history so I cannot judge this book on its historical accuracy (though I have a biography of the women in question waiting in TBR stack). Most of what I know about Chinese history is from the following sources: general history books, the Chinese pavillion at Epoct Center, the History Channel, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Vol. 1 and other various Chinese folklore, legend, and poetry I've read. So I basically know next to nothing. Min, at least for me, brings to life the Forbidden City. It becomes suffocating real.

In general, there are two types of historical fiction (once you disregard trashy romance novels. No, I don't want to read a trashy romance novel about the love affair between Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. I know what happens afterwards. Kinda ruins the romance just a bit). Both types of historical fiction have several things in common and are, for lack of a better term, revisionist. In many cases, the writer will set out to rescue a maligned figure from history. If not this, the writer will use a horrible, tragic event to illustrate a greater human theme (love, forgiveness, surival). Macbeth, Mary Queen of Scots, Cleopatra, and Gengsis Khan have all been subjected to this treatment. Sometimes revisionist historical fiction wants to add a romance where there wasn't one or to make more of a romance then what it really was, a virgin to a non-virgin.

But that is where the similarities end. The first type is the good type of historical fiction. If the novel is about a tragic event, the overwhelming scope is impossible to ignore and the reader leaves the book thinking. Really thinking, adding those wrinkles to that brain. If the novel is about a maligned figure from history, the character is presented flaws and all. This too gets the reader to think and even gets the reader to read actual history.

The second type of historical fiction doesn't function this way. In fact, for me, in general, this type of historical fiction doesn't usually work at all. It takes the maligned character and makes her (such characters in this second type are pre-dominately females) a saintly figure. Forget about being more sinned against than sinning, in these novels the character is a saint surronded by madmen, sexist pigs, vampy women, and stupid, cruel people. In this type, the central malgined figure is really a good guy or tragic woman who got the bum rap. The historical good figure who wrote the history books is the devil incarnate. This type of historical fiction is like candy corn. Addicting but lacking in substance.

Min, thankfully for her and this review, writers the first kind, the better, historical fiction. After reading the Reader's Group Guide for the book, the reader would be convinced that Min was drawn to the character of Orchid because her intriging character and, perhaps, to a similiarity to Madame Mao. Min also seems to want to move beyond the evil woman syndrome. While she doesn't use the phrase "resuce her reputation from history", it does seem to a degree that Min is trying to do so.

Yet, this book is not re-telling of a saintly figure surroned by people who do bad things while transfering the blame for such behavior on her, despite Orchid's seemingly desire to make her story do so.

For that is the key to this book's success. Min presents a real figure, a narrator who reveals more about herself than the action of the tale.

Orchid starts her story with the death of her father moving quickly to her marriage to the Emperor of China. After her marriage, she is sequestered (or imprisioned) in the Forbidden City and is caught up in marriage politics (she is one of many wives), power politics, and the fall of China to those darn heathen forgieners.

Orchid has to survie not only the jealously of her fellow wives, her weak willed husband, but also the power struggle among the men of the court, men who see her as nothing more than a womb.

Min lets Orchid have control of her own story. This means that Orchid says one thing but something else may be going on. A jealous wife may be an evil witch or maybe not. Is the Emperor really that weak and Orchid that strong? This stops Orchid from becoming a milk sop or a door mat. She takes control of her own story and doesn't care if the reader likes her. Or at least, she will not admit that she cares or wants the reader's goodwill.(less)

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Sep 29, 2011

MissChievous rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

This book is about Orchid, a poor young Manchu girl who marries into the royal family to be one of the many concubines of the Emperor of China, and then becomes the last Empress herself. It chronicles her life from her marriage to the Emperor until just after his death. During this time, Orchid has to prove herself against her many rivals in the Forbidden City to become the most coveted and influential concubines of her time.

I had higher hopes for this book and left mostly disappointed...more

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Oct 06, 2009

Khaya rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: chinajapan, historicalfiction

After my negative review of The Twentieth Wife A Novel, Mintzi recommended The Last Empress as a superior alternative and I thought I might as well read the prequel first.

"Empress Orchid" started off pretty strong -- Orchid, like Mehrunissa from "The Twentieth Wife," is a poor girl who miraculously rises to be the emperor's wife but unlike Mehrunissa, is not a goody-goody Mary Sue heroine. Chosen from among thousands of young women as the emperor's fourth conc...moreAfter my negative review of The Twentieth Wife A Novel, Mintzi recommended The Last Empress as a superior alternative and I thought I might as well read the prequel first.

"Empress Orchid" started off pretty strong -- Orchid, like Mehrunissa from "The Twentieth Wife," is a poor girl who miraculously rises to be the emperor's wife but unlike Mehrunissa, is not a goody-goody Mary Sue heroine. Chosen from among thousands of young women as the emperor's fourth concubine, Orchid discovers that palace life is oppressively dull. She remains unnoticed by the emperor but her responsibility notwithstanding to be on call for him 24/7 precludes any other activity which might serve as a source of stimulation or assuage her loneliness. Desperate to change her circumstances, she bribes her way into the emperor's bed and learns all sorts of tricks to satisfy him, so that she manages to stay on his radar screen long enough to get pregnant with -- luckily -- his only son.

At this point, the book took a turn for the worse. Dialogue and narrative became increasingly pedantic as the novel's focus shifted from Orchid's personal struggles to the wars plaguing China at the time and Orchid's increasingly active role in assisting the emperor. I don't know enough about Chinese history to tell you whether this aspect of the story was accurate or realistic, but I can tell you this -- it bored me. And it didn't have to. The political intrigue could have been interesting, had it been a little less dry and impersonally written.

Toward the end, the book depicted Orchid's lack of control in the decisions surrounding her son. As the fourth concubine outranked by the official empress, Orchid was compelled to defer to the empress who overindulged her son rather than building his character. Orchid, who wished her son to be disciplined so as to become an effective ruler, naturally lost influence with him as she tried to take a harder line. It's a complex conflict, but despite this, Anchee Min had completely lost my interest at that point and I was skimming the book rapidly (and not missing much, I suspect).

Anchee Min recreates 1850s China with great detail which starts out fascinating but eventually gets tiresome as it weighs down the story. Similarly, I started out liking and empathizing with Orchid but eventually grew disenchanted with her as the story became less about her and more about China and her character became increasingly flat. By the end of the book, I couldn't bring myself to care all that much about her or her story, and am not sure whether I will end up picking up the sequel.(less)

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Jun 01, 2011

Harmonybites rated it

Recommends it for: Those Interested in Chinese History

Recommended to Harmonybites by: The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Ultimate Reading List

Shelves: fiction, historical-fiction, novels, ultimate-reading-list

The author, Amchee Min, was born in Shanghai and came of age in China during the Cultural Revolution, and still visits there regularly. Being able to read Chinese, Min was able to extensively research her period using primary sources. I therefore trusted her depiction of late Ching dynasty China is fairly accurate. This novel is told as the first person account of China's infamous "Dowager Empress," Tzu Hsi aka Red Orchid, who came to the Forbidden City as one of the Emperor's brides w...more

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Mar 18, 2011

Mary rated it

This is historical fiction about Empress Ci Xi, the last (dowager) empress of China, and how she came to the palace as a subordinate wife, became the mother of the emperor's only son, and that son became emperor. There is a sequel novel about the son's reign.
One problem with historical fiction is that you do know how things will come out - the last dynasty was succeeded by Sun Yat Sen (which is good) but we also know that China did not manage to kick out the foreign interests that had ta...more

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Mar 11, 2011

Rahmadiyanti rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: fiction-and-literature, historical-fiction

Sejak lama nggak begitu tertarik dengan novel bernuansa kekaisaran China. Sampai akhirnya edisi bahasa Indonesia novel ini di-republish, dan tiba-tiba saya pengen baca. Ternyata, baguuus euy! Habis ini saya bakal baca karya-karya Anchee Min yang lain nih :).

Cerita tentang Putri Yehonala atau Tzu Hsi atau Anggrek, salah satu selir Kaisar Hsien Feng, yang di kemudian hari melahirkan anak laki-laki (Tung Chih) yang akan menjadi penerus Hsien Feng. Anchee Min begitu detail mendeskripsik...more

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Nov 10, 2009

Kerlip Bintang rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: novel, sejarah

saya membelinya karena saya selalu tertarik akan cerita di balik kota terlarang yang berada di Peking Cina. Apalagi ada imbuhan intrik seorang selir kaisar dalam menguasai dunia politik kerajaan.

Anggrek, begitu dia diberi nama adalah seorang keturunan Manchu yang hidup dan dibesarkan di desa Wuhu. Ketika ayahnya meninggal dunia, keluarganya terpuruk dalam kemiskinan. Dan ibunya meminta belas kasihan paman untuk tinggal di rumahnya.

Pamannya yang juga miskin, berencana untu...more

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Jun 12, 2011

Sweetdhee rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: pinjem, bahasa-indonesia-terjemahan

Anggrek (Tzu Hsi) adalah anak Hui Cheng Yehonala, mantan taotai (Gubernur) di sebuah kota kecil beranama Wuhu, di Propinsi Anhwei, propinsi termiskin di Cina.

Masa kecilnya tidak pernah mudah.
Terutama setelah ayahnya dipecat Kaisar Tao Kang karena tidak mampu menahan pemberontakan petani yang putus asa karena kemarau panjang.
Ayahnya mati dirundung malu.
Bahkan demi memakamkan ayahnya di kota kelahirannya, Peking, mereka meninggalkan Wuhu tanpa harta sedikitpun.
...more

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