Empress Orchid

By: Anchee Min

Narrated by: Alexandra O'Karma

Length: 17 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

The critically acclaimed author, Anchee Min, paints a fresh portrait of the last Chinese empress in this brilliantly fictionalized tale set during the waning days of the empire.

Seventeen-year-old Orchid belongs to an aristocratic family that has fallen on hard times. Unexpectedly, she is chosen as one of the emperor's lesser concubines. Within the Forbidden City are thousands of women hoping to bear the emperor a son and become his empress. Orchid, determined and resourceful, schemes her way into the royal bed and seduces the emperor. But as the opium trade erodes the might of the Ch'ing dynasty, Orchid find herself at the center of a crumbling nation.

A colorful depiction of one of history's least understood women, The Empress Orchid is another enthralling masterpiece for Anchee Min.

©2004 Anchee Min

Critic reviews

"Powerful and brilliantly conceived....[An] insightful, magnetic, and quietly revolutionary resurrection of a remarkable woman." (Booklist)

Story Great - Narration flat

I have enjoyed all of Anchee Min's books. I love reading about Chinese culture and especially the methods women used to gain their own sort of power against, but through the men. This book never caught my attention because the narrator was so flat. She did have a nice Asian tone to her voice, but no character or life to the dialogue. I had to stop mid-way through -- something I avoid doing with vigor. Try the "sample" and if the reader resonates with you, buy the book.

Narrator's sinus-y, protagonist's impotent

I found this book interesting, particularly regarding the manners and goings on in the mysterious Forbidden City. I don't think the character of Orchid was particularly well-developed. She recognizes that her husband has many problems (both personal and political) but doesn't seem to do anything to help him overcome his personal problems, and doesn't plot to help him avoid his political troubles (she does answer his mail in his name.) While it may be historically accurate that there's not much she could do while her husband was alive, history now records her as far from retiring or inactive.

More annoying, especially at the beginning of the book, was the narrator's apparent sinus trouble. She constantly seemed to be dealing with post nasal drip, which required audible gulps.

In addition, her voice throughout the book was extremely calm and placid. While this might seem to be appropriate for an empress, Orchid never seemed to convey any excitement. Even when she sees the marvels of Forbidden City, which she says are amazing, the narrator shows no awe in her voice.

If you'd like to hear about life at the end of the imperial age, this may be worth a listen, provided the narrator's sinuses and placidity don't turn you off.

Thought it would never end

Way too long and drawn out for my taste. Still had to see it through to the unclimactic ending.

great novel poorly read

I loved the book so much, I bought it in print. However, the reader kept swallowing which was annoying!!!

A great read.

Lots of detail about the life of concubines and more. I enjoyed Nd would highly recommend.

Empress Orchid

I enjoyed the story (I have a daughter from China) and the descriptive way it was written. However, I was very unhappy with the narrator...she sounded like she had a mouth full of saliva and her swallowing was audible (no pun) and distracting.

great story

I don't know why everybody was whining about the narrators swallowing, it's hardly noticeable. Great story, after listening I had to rent the Last Emperor so I could see the forbidden city.

Enjoyable

I learned much from this book on the Chinese culture. The story held me through the strange modes of thought (as compared to our culture). The narration was very appropriate for this story. Others have stated how distracting her voice and mannerisms were, but I felt they were appropriate in this setting. If she were narrating a John Grisham book, they would not have been helpful. This book is not something I would die for, but a worthwhile investment of both time and money.

Fascinating Story of A Powerful Woman

What did you love best about Empress Orchid?

This novel was full of atmosphere and rich description. Anchee MIn is an excellent author.

What did you like best about this story?

Very interesting take on the last Empress of China.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Oh boy. LIke most of the other reviewers, I had major concerns with the narrator. Are there no sound editors? I can understand using an older female narrator as the novel is told from the view of an elderly woman looking back on her life, but the VERY audible breathing and swallowing noises - not to mention the VERY...SLOW.....NARRATING....- made listening to this fascinating story a real chore. If this narration was re-edited to get rid of the unnecessary sounds, and the narration was rerecorded to a faster pace, it would help immeasurably.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

I think services that record audiobooks need to be a lot more discerning with the narrators they choose. I'd highly recommend reading this book, but listen at your own risk.

Fascnating story!

I found this fictionalized story of the Empress to be extremely informative and interesting. I enjoyed the basic story, and the details added by the author to be both entertaining and fascinating. This is not just a fluff piece, a romantic novel. It is historical fiction with the weight of a biography.

As far a the reader, I enjoyed her narration. Her cadence, voice and tone fit the subject. Readers who are accustomed to British or American readers may be disappointed. However, this is not the story of a Western woman. The subject of this novel is an Asian Empress telling her story when she is elderly and the reader mirrors that culture. As far as other noises in the recording I did not hear them.

I will admit I am not a casual reader and that I do not enjoy light novels. I enjoy long in depth, highly detailed stories.

I am looking forward to listening to the sequel to this book. I am expecting it to be as detailed ans sweeping as this one.