Empress
By: Shan Sa
“Such is the voice of Shan Sa’s unforgettable heroine in her latest literary masterpiece, Empress. Empress Wu, one of China’s most controversial figures, was its first and only female emperor, who emerged in the seventh century during the great Tang Dynasty and ushered in a golden age. Throughout history, her name has been defamed and her story distorted by those taking vengeance on a woman who dared to become emperor. But now, for the first time in thirteen centuries, Empress Wu (or Heavenlight, as we come to know her) 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.
Summary from the back of the book.
2 out of 5 stars.
Hello! Heads up everyone, there is not a separate short or long review section of this “review”. I will say review loosely, for I unfortunately was unable to finish the book. Page 210 out of 319 is where I stopped. I really couldn’t force myself to go on. The book is great but also stumbles upon its self with the desire to insert historical information that I do not doubt is important to set the tone of the time. BUT with that being said I struggled not to “fast forward” through the five pages describing the Rites to present the Emperor to the heavens was too much for me. There is a lot of historical detail about what was allowed, proper, tradition, and rules but I think the author could have glossed over a little more. Such as page 170, “the forty-eight guards horses; the twenty-four standards of sacred animals with their armed escort; the procession of the Black Warrior, the god of the north, divided into armored troops in five colors;” and it goes on further but it does not tell us the reader WHY. Why did they need all these things? What is their importance? The author did not write to explain their importance. So I would not recommend this book if you do not have some sort of knowledge of the Tang Dynasty or any of the deeper cultural aspects. For I was lost up the creek without a paddle, and in a boat that was sinking. I know nothing, and I was optimistic that I would learn a little bit about the richness of China, but I was very lost.
I will perhaps try again, or skim a bit to finish. But this book gets lost in the story and its desire to be filled with historical context. I know that there are other reviews who rave about this book, but I can not be one of those…and as I read those reviews to compare what I felt about the book, I felt that I was missing something. Am I too stupid to appreciate this book? Am I not intelligent enough to understand? I do not know but I did not feel well about the book as I thought it. So I attempted again, reaching the page I stated above (210) but I could not get myself to finish, or even skim through to the end. I apologize.
Though, on the positive side of things, I became even more interested in the Tang Dynasty and delved into a large black hole of digging for more information. I found out a lot, and I am currently searching for more books regarding the women of China’s past. (any recommendations would be wonderful!)
Now with the knowledge I have found, let’s do a small history lesson below:
Empress Wu
Otherwise known as Wu Zetian, was the Empress of China from the year 660 to 705. She was (is) remarkable.
Wu was from a wealthy family, and was encouraged by her father to read books and pursue her education. Wu read and learned about many things, such as politics, other governmental affairs, writing, literature and music. When she was 14 years old, she became an imperial concubine (lesser wife) of the Emperor Taizong of Tang. She was some sort of secretary (so her educational pursuits were not stopped) She received the title of Cairen, (Lady of Talent) Under the rule of Emperor Taizong, she was not favored but it was said they did have relations at one point in time.
Now Emperor Taizong had 14 sons, but none with Wu. According to customs the consorts of the deceased emperor who did not give him children were forever confined to a monastic institution after his death. Wu was sent off to the Ganye Temple and would become a Buddist nun for the rest of her life. BUT during Emperor Taizong’s life she had an affair with Li Zhi, Emperor Taizong’s son. Li Zhi would become the new emperor after his father’s death and would pull Wu out of the convent to be his own concubine. (He found her even more irresistible then before)
Now as the concubine of the new emperor, she had the title of Zhaoyi (Lady of Bright Deportment) one of 9 imperial concubines, she would quickly ascend the ladder to become Empress (huanghou) She held great influence and unprecedented authority over the governing of the empire during Emperor Gaozong. When he died, she was left alone with their children and did not do well with the changing of power. It was hers, and hers alone. She found her sons to be incompetent.
Their Children:
(1st son) Li Hong (Emperor Xiaojing) – Wu was Empress during his youth, his father was still alive but he butted heads with his mother and it was rumored that she poisoned him to death.
(1st daughter) Princess Si, was a baby when she died, it was said to be murdered by Emperor Gaozong’s first wife, but then later rumors said Wu murdered her own daughter
(2nd son) Li Xián- became crown prince after the death of 1st son, but soon fell out of favor with his mother. He was accused of treason and demoted to commoner rank, exiled and was forced to commit suicide.
(3rd Son ) Li Xiǎn – new crown prince after death of 2nd son, then he was Emperor for some time, after his father’s death. Emperor Zhongzong (2 months) His mother threw him out of the job and put his brother on the throne. (Don’t worry he later came back and was Emperor for a few years but it was said he was poisoned by his wife. (who wanted her son on the throne but his sister (2nd daughter) was like no and was able to get her brother (4th son) back on the throne)
(4th son) Li Dan — Emperor Ruizong — figurehead when his mother ruled, then he was demoted, but after his mothers death he was Emperor again, though his sister (2nd daughter) held a substantial amount of power and influence.
(2nd daughter) Princess Taiping — she was a puppet master of her brother (4th son) and was often behind a screen during his meetings, she was forced to commit suicide because her power hungry nature.
Now there is many other things I could touch on, such as the vicious rumors that she was cutthroat, evil and killed her children for power. She has a rich story that I could go on and on about. But if you are interested I would check out her Wikipedia page. Its a great jumping off point, there is a ton of information.
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