The Last Empress 末代皇后
2008-4
人民出版社
Anchee Min
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At the end of the nineteenth century China is rocked by
humiliating foreign attacks and local rebellions. The only constant
is the power wielded by one woman: the resilient, ever-resourceful
Tzu Hsi, also known as Empress Orchid. Moving from the intimacy of
the concubine quarters into the spotlight of the world stage,
Orchid makes a dramatic metamorphosis from a strong-willed young
woman to a wise political leader, who must not only face the
perilous condition of her fading empire but also a series of
devastating personal losses. Yearning to step aside yet growing
constantly into her role, only she can hold the nation's rival
factions together. In this sequel to the bestselling novel Empress
Orchid, Anchee Min brings to life one of the most important figures
in Chinese history, a very human leader who assumes power
reluctantly, and who sacrifices all she has to protect both those
she loves and her doomed empire. --This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Anchee Min was born in Shanghai in 1957. At seventeen she was
sent to a labour collective, where a talent scout for Madame Mao's
Shanghai Film Studio recruited her to work as a movie actress. She
moved to the United States in 1984. Her memoir, Red Azalea, was an
international bestseller with rights sold in twenty countries. Her
novels, Becoming Madame Mao, Katherine, Wild Ginger and Empress
Orchid were published to wonderful reviews and impressive foreign
sales. --This text refers to the Paperback
edition.
'Tzu Hsi emerges as a canny political leader, and she is a vivid and entertaining character - this is history as it plays upon the emotions. Empires crumble, hearts are broken' Kate Saunders, The Times PRAISE FOR EMPRESS ORCHID: 'A wild, passionate, fearless American writer' New York Times 'Empress Orchid is strong on both sexual chicanery and violent conspiracy ... a fascinating account' Guardian 'I loved Empress Orchid ... a riveting read' Judy Finnegan, Woman's Own
Review PRAISE FOR EMPRESS ORCHID: 'A wild, passionate, fearless American writer' New York Times 'Empress Orchid is strong on both sexual chicanery and violent conspiracy a fascinating account' Guardian 'An engrossing story enhanced by Min's imaginative power Like all good novelists, she implies as much as she says, and her characterisation is subtle and worldly-wise' Glasgow Herald 'I loved Empress Orchid a riveting read' Judy Finnegan, Woman's OwnIn this sequel to her historical novel Empress Orchid (2004), Min tells the story of late-19th-century China's crumbling empire, from the point of view of the country's much-vilified final empress.Two years after the death of Orchid's husband, she and his "first wife," Nuharoo, are sharing the upbringing of the new Emperor, Orchid's seven-year-old son Tung Chih, and acting as ruling co-regents until he grows up. Orchid is overseeing a nation heavily in debt and slowly losing control of its provinces to western nations and Japan. Orchid is selflessly devoted to governing China. She does not allow herself a relationship with the one man she genuinely loves, focusing instead on preparing Tung Chih for his responsibilities with a single-mindedness that undermines the typical mother-son relationship. When Tung Chih, who hates his duties, dies in his 20s of a venereal disease, Orchid adopts her sister's three-year-old son Guang-hsu and makes him emperor. Although Orchid loves Guang-hsu, her sense of political responsibility again overrides maternal feelings. The sensitive, sweet little boy grows into an indecisive, insecure ruler. Although recognizing the mistakes Guang-hsu and his advisors are making, Orchid often goes along in order to keep his sense of authority intact. By the time of the Boxer Rebellion, she has lost control over her ministers, even while she is being vilified in the Western press as the "Dragon Lady." She wants reform and feels camaraderie with Robert Hart, who keeps China financially afloat for decades. But most of all, she wants to keep China unified, a goal that proves impossible.The great swatches of historical detail will enlighten readers who generally view history from a Western perspective, but with Orchid so busy explaining herself, the human story of a woman who denies her instincts never quite emerges. (Kirkus Reviews) Glasgow Herald `Like all good novelists, she implies as much as she says, and her characterisation is subtle and worldly-wise' The Times `Tzu Hsi emerges as a canny political leader, and she is a vivid and entertaining character - this is history as it plays upon the emotions. Empires crumble, hearts are broken'
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内容有趣！价格公道！
还没看，但拿到书那刻，摸着书皮，就觉得喜欢。翻看几页，觉得文字很优美，就是希望从非历史研究的人眼里，看看这个最后的“女皇帝”是怎样的。
挺不错的. 可惜价格有点贵啊.