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)

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.

Ending was abrupt

The read had a unique voice but at times pulled me out of the story.

Incredible story

This is a fascinating story of an amazing woman. Wonderful way to learn history even if liberties are taken. Challenge for audio is keeping the names straight without seeing them written. Biggest complaint is the audio recording covers every sound of the reader’s mouth- a little but gross honestly, and quite distracting. Like taking a big in breath before speaking and we can hear it. Also some weird drop-offs that I wonder come from translation?
A long, but great listen.