Empress:: A Novel - Hardcover

Sa, Shan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0060817585 ISBN 13: 9780060817589

Publisher: ReganBooks, 2007

Synopsis

A spellbinding historical novel by the author of The Girl Who Played Go chronicles the life and times of China's only female emperor, Empress Wu, who rose from a humble clan and position of concubine to brave the intrigues, treason, betrayal, and violence of the court to become the first Empress of China during the great Tang dynasty in seventh-century China. Reader's Guide available. 20,000 first printing.

About this title

Review:

"Brilliant . . . illuminates the life and times of one of the ancient world's most powerful, capable, and overlooked women."--Booklist

"A compelling read and surprisingly easy to follow, given its exotic complexity."--Kirkus Reviews

"Luxurious and intelligent . . . part pageant, part politics as ballet; a lavish portrayal of life in early civilized China."--Alan Cheuse, NPR.org

Luxurious and intelligent . . . part pageant, part politics as ballet; a lavish portrayal of life in early civilized China. --Alan Cheuse, NPR.org"

A compelling read and surprisingly easy to follow, given its exotic complexity. --Kirkus Reviews"

Brilliant . . . illuminates the life and times of one of the ancient world s most powerful, capable, and overlooked women. --Booklist"

-Luxurious and intelligent . . . part pageant, part politics as ballet; a lavish portrayal of life in early civilized China.---Alan Cheuse, NPR.org

-A compelling read and surprisingly easy to follow, given its exotic complexity.---Kirkus Reviews

-Brilliant . . . illuminates the life and times of one of the ancient world's most powerful, capable, and overlooked women.---Booklist

From the Back Cover:

One of China's most controversial figures, Empress Wu was its first and only female emperor, emerging in the seventh century during the great Tang Dynasty to usher in a golden age. Throughout history, her name has been defamed and her story distorted. But now, after thirteen centuries, Empress Wu flings open the gates of the Forbidden City and tells her own astonishing tale--revealing a fascinating, complex figure who in many ways remains modern to this day.

Writing with epic assurance, poetry, and vivid historic detail, Shan Sa plumbs the psychological and philosophical depths of what it means to be a striving mortal in a tumultuous, power-hungry world. Empress is a great literary feat and a revelation for the ages.

About this edition

• Publisher: ReganBooks
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0060817585
• ISBN 13: 9780060817589
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 336