One of those books that's very hard to rate. At times I was loving it and completely engaged. At other times... pretty bored. Regardless, this is a fascinating topic. I really enjoyed learning about the woman and the time period. It certainly piqued my interest in this historical period.

This novel is difficult to describe - narrated by the Empress herself (the only female Emperor of China ever), it covers her entire life from before birth to after death. The imperial court of China, centuries ago, was a place filled with intrigue, constant plots to usurp the ruler, extreme violence and sexual activity, and excesses of just about everything. Family, servants, concubines, and friends who happened to be on the wrong side of the coup would be banished, ordered to hang themselves, or be murdered. It's a fascinating book, but the style of writing by the author is somewhat odd and not totally engaging. Still, I finished the book and would recommend it to anyone interested in that time period. ( )

The strongest aspect of Shan Sa's storyline is loneliness and emotional isolation Wu Ze Tian suffers as Empress. Every day is a struggle to manage her husband (until he dies of illness), dozens of scheming Court officials, and her family members jockeying for their place in the imperial line of succession, not to mention the problems of the Tang empire itself. It is decidedly not, as they say, "good to be the king (or queen, or empress)," since much of that life is a daily battle of wits for survival accompanied by ruinous emotional barrenness.

EMPRESS is intriguing if somewhat slow-paced read. It gives a strong sense of a very significant figure in Chinese history (although it regrettably does not give the reader many contexts concerning the Tang Dynasty in Chinese history and Empress Wu Ze Tian's role therein). Still, as powerful and wealthy as Wu Ze Tian was, Shan Sa conveys the definite sense that her job was at least as much a prison as it was a palace. That alone is a fascinating perspective. I have also encountered Su Tong's recently translated novel, MY LIFE AS EMPEROR - another excellent read for those interested in Chinese history and culture. ( )

Alla corte imperiale della Cina del VII secolo, orfana di un mandarino, Luce riceve una raffinata educazione alla poesia, alla pittura e all'erotismo in una scuola per concubine. Tale è la sua abilità che riesce a diventare prima amante e poi moglie del giovane imperatore. Quando questi muore, Luce diventa la prima donna a sedere sul trono della Cina, che vivrà con lei un periodo di grande splendore culturale, ma al tempo stesso di turbolente tensioni sociali e intrighi di corte. Quando poi si innamora di un giovane di umili natali, le invidiose cortigiane orchestrano uno scandalo che condurrà il giovane amante alla disperazione e alla morte, mentre Luce sarà destituita dei suoi poteri.

All in all a good book, very descriptive which I normally enjoy...but this was a bit extreme. I did enjoy learning about the culture though. Fascinating. ( )