Hardback, 1956 ed.

Mail released to DoveiLibri today 7-24-04. Enjoy!

Rec'd in the mail today. Thank you so much! I'll journal when I finish reading, though it might be a while.

Added July 5, 2005: I haven't forgotten this book! I've been reading a lot of library books, book rings, book rays and reading for school and work. But I promise to release this book in true book crossing fashion when I finally DO read it!

(<--- A picture of ME reading this book! LOL!) As usual, I enjoyed this novel immensely, as I have enjoyed every Pearl S Buck book I have ever laid eyes on! I love to learn about other cultures and periods in history by reading fiction set during those times!

Now? It's all ready to be sent to fellow Book Crosser BookLady331 as part of the Women Who Love Books Too Much Book Ring/RABCK Chain, Book 2 (Link) Going to try to surprise BookLady331 with a special in-person delivery on Friday, June 9, 2006! Let's see if it works out!

What a surprise! Dove i Libri stopped by my house to deliever the book. We ARE going to go out to lunch/dinner one day soon. I will get to the book after vacation.

Dove i Libri -- what a wonderful person you are. I can see that we will become better friends.

I kept putting off reading this book because of its smaller than usual print and now I am sorry I waited so long to read this gem of a book.

This is not one of Pearl Buck's best known novels, but I found it fascinating. It gives the reader a glimpse of the Manchu period of Chinese history.

Imperial Woman tells the story of Tzu-Hsi, the last Empress of China. This story begins when she is a beautiful young teenager and deeply in love with her cousin, a guard at the Imperial Palace. As was the custom in the day, the Emperor picked yearly a new concubines from the daughters of the wealthy of China. It was considered a great honor to send one's daughter into the palace as a "sex slave."

Our heroine, Yehonala (her childhood name), is sent, along with her cousin Sakota to the Emperor. Both are picked. On one inevitable night, Yehonala is sent to the Emperor's bedroom, and there she gains the favor or the Emperor. Tzu-Hsi (her new name) learns the workings of the palace and to not trust anyone, but to rely on only those closest to her. She cements her position by giving birth to the Emperor's only son and a place of power higher than any woman in the palace.
All is told in this fascinating book, written in Buck's elegant style. This is well worth reading.

I read this book slowly to savor the story. I trust to find a new home for this book with someone here on BC.

Enjoy! off to ladilee24 for RABCK and KTM release challenges. Hope you enjoy it half as much as I did.

Arrived in the mail yesterday. Thanks for sharing booklady331!

There is no doubt that Pearl Buck was a superb writer. I was drawn into this book quickly, captured by her evocative descriptions. Tzu-Hsi, the last Empress of China, had a dramatic life, and I felt like I could picture every moment of her entry into the palace as a young teen, her rise to favor of the Emperor and further rise to power as mother of the future Emperor and strong ruler in her own right.

Only seven stars from me because there were points at the novels center where I found the detail caused the story to drag, and I lost some motivation. But a fine, fine novel.

Left next to the ATM.