The story of an Empress

I have something crafty to show you -- but not yet.  Sounds mysterious, no?   So instead, I'll get my reading list updated with a couple of reviews.

I really enjoyed The Last Empress by Anchee Min.  It is the sotry of Tzu Hsi -- Empress Orchid -- the last empress of China.  While the story has some basis in fact, the Empress is protrayed in a positive light -- clearly in contrast with the way the world saw her.

I love a good novel based on history -- especially a history that I have little to no prior knowledge of.  And what is history anyway?  All historical accounts are shaded by memory, time and the personal opinions and preconceived notions of the author.  In my opinion, good fiction can open the world to you in an interesting way.  This book did that for me.

As the dynasties of China are losing power, the Empress holds things together as much as is possible.  She loses her husband and sons along the way and struggles as many women do even today.  She is torn between governing, raising her sons and living her life.  Isn't this the sotry for so many woman today?  Caught between work, their families and their true passions? 

I don't know if the Empress was the loving and compassionate woman which Min describes or whether she was the dragon lady that the rest of the world thought she was -- I'm sure the truth lies somewhere inbetween.  Despite this sachrine sweet portrayal of her, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. 

Anchee Min also wrote a novel detailing the early years of Orchid -- Empress Orchid.  This one is definitley on my to read list!

I'm not sure why I picked up The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards.  If history has taught me anything, it's that books that make the best seller list are usually not worth my time.  And while I did finish this book, the writing was just not very good.  The story itself sounded interesting -- twins born back in the day when women were given gas during labor.  One twin was fine, the other had Downs Syndrome.  Institutionalization was more common for this situation at the time and the father whisks the baby away before the mother wakes up.  He then tells her that her 2nd baby died.  The nurse takes the baby and raises her as her own. 

Okay, now that I've written that little plot summary I realize how bad it sounds!  Why did I give so many hours of my life to this book?  Well, I guess I wanted to know if the mother would ever be reunited with her child.  It was a hook -- plain and simple.  Argh! 

So I can't really recommend it.  So go read The Last Empress and forget I even mentioned this other book.

Now reading -- The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears by Dinaw Mengestu.  Really excellent look at immigrants and the "American Dream".  More on this soon!

Comments

[Christie]

Hmmm...may have to check it out. And just a thought...aren't most women in powerful positions considered 'dragon ladies'? It seems it's easier to categorize strong, determined women as such than elevating them like their male counterparts. ;)

[Cynder]

I read Empress Orchard last year, and am glad to see that there is a sequil. Adding that to my "to read" list.

[--Deb]

Yeah, I read Memory-Keeper's Daughter, too and was totally underwhelmed....

[Madame Purl]

I have to agree - did not care for the Memory-Keeper's Daughter either.

[scout]

Okay, but have you read The Labyrinth? OMG. I just finished it and LOVED it.

[Jenn]

I bought The Memory Keepers daughter when we got to O'Hare to fly to Florida and I realized I had not packed a book!! Boy was I disappointed! I agree - I kept reading to see if the mother would be reunited with the daughter - and at the end I just really felt like I had wasted a lot of good reading time!

[Kim]

I just found your blog and started reading up on your books and I have read several of the same ones you have or at least have them on my cue to read ;-)
I am so happy to read about someone else's feelings about Memory Keeper's Daughter. I am about half way through it and find I am not feeling a THING for any of the charachters, it really isn't written well. It actually does sound like it had great potential, but alas, I guess not. I suppose I will finish reading it, but I agree with you and won't recommend it to my book club.