Two Years in the Forbidden City Princess Der Ling 9781407650760 Books
Download As PDF : Two Years in the Forbidden City Princess Der Ling 9781407650760 Books
MY father and mother, Lord and Lady Yu Keng, and family, together with our suite consisting of the First Secretary, Second Secretary, Naval and Military Attaches, Chancellors, their families, servants, etc.,--altogether fifty-five people,--arrived in Shanghai on January 2, 1903, on the S.S. "Annam" from Paris, where for four years my father had been Chinese Minister.
Two Years in the Forbidden City Princess Der Ling 9781407650760 Books
Despite being in print for many years, this book gives a fresh view of life in the palaces of the Dowager Empress from the young eyes of a Manchu noblewoman who had partially grown up in Paris. The latter fact gives the reader a more accessible Western perspective, but her Manchu heritage and the impressionability of her age mean that the author is more open to the effect of the Chinese Court and little more sympathetic to the elderly and somewhat out of touch Empress Dowager.The freshness stems from the author's viewpoint and the clarity of the prose. There is an ingenuousness and innocence in her descriptions that may be feigned for political reasons, but which makes the reader able to step into the very strange world of the Imperial Court of China. Looking at it with Der Ling's young and impressionable eyes give an insight that may be lost in a more analytical and overtly political view.
It is a strange world brought to life with clear and lively writing. In the twenty-first century, there is probably nothing to compare with it. To someone who just enjoyed something engaging to read, it is a book that catches your attention and draws you in. To one who is interested in the later history of the Qing Dynasty in China, it brings to life one of the principal players, though in a carefully managed way. I cannot help feeling that the old Empress was feeding her young lady in waiting exactly what she wanted her to hear, not for public consumption, but to cement her loyalty in a fragile Court.
Product details
|
Tags : Two Years in the Forbidden City [Princess Der Ling] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. MY father and mother, Lord and Lady Yu Keng, and family, together with our suite consisting of the First Secretary,Princess Der Ling,Two Years in the Forbidden City,HardPress Publishing,1407650769,Anthologies (non-poetry),General,Literary Collections General,Literature - Classics Criticism
People also read other books :
- The Journey Home Revised Edition Once upon an Apocalypse Book 1 (Audible Audio Edition) Jeff Motes Holly Henrichs Michael Stadler Pine City Press Books
- The Science of Wrestling and the Art of JiuJitsu Earle Liederman 9781494050535 Books
- Touching Cloudbase The Complete Guide to Paragliding Ian Currer Books
- Get Out of Debt A Simple Effective Approach Plus 101 Ways to Save Money eBook Gene Phillips
- RuffHoused Doodlebugged Mysteries Volume 5 Susan J Kroupa Books
Two Years in the Forbidden City Princess Der Ling 9781407650760 Books Reviews
Very nice and interesting book
An interesting book for it's insights into the Last Empress of China. But the author is a young woman who's main interest are clothes and jewels. So if you love the trappings of bygone eras... you will enjoy this. But no depth.
interesting and a good history of how it was to live with the last Empress of China
Most interesting and detailed account of court life during the Empress Dowager Cixi's later years on the throne. A taste of life behind the closed doors of China's Forbidden City, from eunuchs and courtiers to the Emperor and his wives to the former concubine, Regent, and final Empress Dowager. Would be a terrific movie.
Interesting background on the Chinese court, but drags on like the diary of a 13 year old girl.
I recently visited the Forbidden City in China and sought out books to give me some background. This book was one of many that I read to get a better sense of the historical context surrounding this impressive historical treasure.
I will admit that without my recent connection to the subject matter, I most likely would have found this to be a dry read.
I love stories like these. True first hand accounts of little-known historical events. I finished this book very quickly. It was very informative and thought-provoking. Before reading this book, I knew very little of the eunuchs plight. The absolute horror they endured was made worse by ignorance of what was happening to them not only physically, but emotionally.
The Princess Der Ling made you feel that you were with her at the court of Her Majesty,it definitely makes me want to know more about her life after the Forbidden City.
Despite being in print for many years, this book gives a fresh view of life in the palaces of the Dowager Empress from the young eyes of a Manchu noblewoman who had partially grown up in Paris. The latter fact gives the reader a more accessible Western perspective, but her Manchu heritage and the impressionability of her age mean that the author is more open to the effect of the Chinese Court and little more sympathetic to the elderly and somewhat out of touch Empress Dowager.
The freshness stems from the author's viewpoint and the clarity of the prose. There is an ingenuousness and innocence in her descriptions that may be feigned for political reasons, but which makes the reader able to step into the very strange world of the Imperial Court of China. Looking at it with Der Ling's young and impressionable eyes give an insight that may be lost in a more analytical and overtly political view.
It is a strange world brought to life with clear and lively writing. In the twenty-first century, there is probably nothing to compare with it. To someone who just enjoyed something engaging to read, it is a book that catches your attention and draws you in. To one who is interested in the later history of the Qing Dynasty in China, it brings to life one of the principal players, though in a carefully managed way. I cannot help feeling that the old Empress was feeding her young lady in waiting exactly what she wanted her to hear, not for public consumption, but to cement her loyalty in a fragile Court.
0 Response to "[BFM]∎ Read Free Two Years in the Forbidden City Princess Der Ling 9781407650760 Books"
Post a Comment