She was not necessarily ‘the enemy of the human race,’ as the communists would later label her, but a woman who had an amazing mind and possessed a terrific life force.”
“Min, clearly aware of Chinese cultural misogyny, takes us inside the mind of the empress. One woman possesses a ‘scorpion mouth but a tofu heart.’ The words also aptly describe this book’s unforgettable heroine.” While the book’s historical research impresses, Min’s prose brings immediacy to the period. Min, however, evokes Orchid as a smart politician and demanding mother. History has blamed Orchid for the fall of the Ch’ing dynasty. “‘A tragedy foreshadows good luck,’ says one character to Orchid, the heroine of this lush novel set in 1852 China…Min superbly chronicles Orchid’s savvy attempts to win the emperor’s heart so she can bear him an heir. “Throughout, the novel celebrates the lavishness of courtly life while showing the real-life disadvantages of such luxury…Intrigue pulses through the story…Rich in detail and historical background, the novel drenches readers in the colors, textures and affluence of the Forbidden City…the lavishness of the historical setting and the author’s strong use of research to flesh out the tale make for a stirring, exotic novel that is a treat for the senses and intellect alike.” “ Empress Orchid is a fascinating novel, similar to Arthur Golden’s Memoirs of a Geisha in that it is not about sex but about a young woman shaping her own life by making critical decisions…Min’s characters are well-drawn, which helps carry the story with an element of suspense…Min offers her readers…a revisionist portrait of a beautiful and strong-willed woman who would rule China for 46 years…Min’s Red Azalea and Becoming Madame Mao deserve to be at the top of everyone’s reading list… Empress Orchid could make her a household name.” Min’s version of Tzu His, like Pearl Buck’s rendering in Imperial Woman, is compelling and complex.” The supporting cast of characters is colorful, well-researched and substantive. “Min…meticulously recounts sumptuous details of life as it was in the Qing court. “ Empress Orchid is a sexually charged, eye-opening portrayal of the Chinese empire, and it conveys an abundance of cultural and historical truths even while it constantly keeps you riveted with heart-wrenching scenes of desperate failure and a sensuality that rises off its heated pages.” Princess Orchid just had to wait for Min to set her record straight.” … we learn from Orchid’s life that a strong woman has the ability to make an impact on her nation despite the limits of role, culture, and gender. Named a best book of 2004 by the San Francisco Chronicle
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