Empress Orchid (Tsu Shi)

This is the novel which I indulged myself with recently...

I found it somewhere in the rack of my Uni's library and was attracted to the introduction on the back of this book thus without any hesitation, i decided to borrow it to filled up my spare time as holiday will be terribly boring without anything to do..

Before I read this novel, I totally have no idea that this is actually based on a real history tale..The story is vividly described by the author, Anchee Min and every character is interestingly brought to life by the dialogue and her writing.. Anchee Min's fictionalized account of the  Empress Dowager Tsu Shi (Orchid), the last Empress of China for 46 years of the Ch'ing Dynasty in the 19th century, is beautiful fiction set to a historic backdrop. The plot pulls the reader into 19th century of China and captivates them through the stunning detail  and the author's unique writing style. For those with an interest in Chinese history, the subject is truly fascinating while for those who just love a good read, this page-turning novel delivers such high quality description, a visit to the Forbidden City almost seems worthwhile..

However interesting it is described as, the plot could never be considered fast-paced. It instead moves slowly through the life of Orchid as a  beautiful seventeen-year-old from an aristocratic, but impoverished family, finds herself unexpectedly chosen to become a lower-ranking concubine of the Emperor... 

Orchid's character is not developed in depth enough and is lost in the overwhelming detail... An interest in the Chinese culture is essential to enjoy this book... Inside the Forbidden City jealousies and foul play abound, but Orchid is determined to survive. Little does she know that China will collapse around her, and she will be its last Empress...

I've tried to searched online for the potrait of Empress Tsu Shi and this is what I found..

I still remember when I was in primary school, someone told me that Tsu Shi is one of the prettiest woman in the history of China. However, what I found out is that this picture doesn't really impressed me.. Maybe because this was her 71-year-old potrait.. However, what I can see from her face is that she is indeed a strong and powerful woman with high ambition and determination. That is why she manage to keep China from falling apart after his husband, Emperor Hsien Feng passed away in a young age of 31 due to poor health by worrying day and night about the Europe intruders of pressuring China to extend the trade privillages..

For your information, it is under the ruling of Empress Tsu Shi that firstly exposed China to the Western countries.

After the death of Emperor Hsien Feng, his only son with Empress Orchid, Tung Chih automatically became the new Emperor of China in the age of 4. However according to history, he prematurely died after 13 years of ruling without a successor. 

I became so interested in the history of China after reading this novel and long to know more about it. But does anyone actually knows the accuracy of the history that had been recorded?