I got five books at the library plus have had one book that I started a while back that my sister absconded from me and then returned sated on good bookism, but I have only eeked out a page or two a day. The last book I have finished was Imperial Woman by Pearl S. Buck (of The Good Earth fame), which was started merely seconds after I had turned the last page of The Writing on My Forehead more than a MONTH ago. Oh well, I might as well surrender to the reality of life. I seem to forget every summer that the notion of lazy afternoons consumed with a book doesn't jive with four kids (plus an exchange student!!). One day I will have eons of time, I know, so really, I can't feel too sorry for myself, the time will soon pass that someone needs something (namely, me) every nano-second and so I will try to enjoy what I can.
Anyhoo, that is so off the subject of the intriguing book of the last reigning Empress of China. I don't know how factual it was, but somewhat like Joan of Arc, if only 10% were true, it is still an amazing story of clawing one's way to the top and maintaining authority in a place and during a time in which: 1) no woman was viewed as capable of leadership, 2) women who had tried to gain power (in the ancient annals of Chinese history), were conniving and considered evil at their core, and 3) tradition meant EVERYTHING. How she did it is an unbelievable story of opportunism. Again, Pearl S. Buck's books are such an intimate portrait into the culture, tradition and mind of the Chinese, and are written with utmost respect and understanding. How she gained such insight into the intricate workings of the Forbidden City and its inhabitants is a marvel unto itself.
The Empress was born not into the imperial line, but rather by her own determination and the best instance of taking advantage of a limited opportunity I have ever read about, she rose from a lowly concubine of the Emperor to high ruler of the kingdom and held that power through mighty power struggles and suspicion. She determined from the time she first was brought to the Emperor to be considered for a concubine that she would rise in whatever way she could and she dedicated herself to gaining power by learning, listening and performing the role of subservient lover first to the Emperor and later as subservient Ruler of her people. She didn't make a move that wasn't calculated to the nth degree. She acted imperially from the beginning, without remorse and with such dignity and self-control. She was a study in contrasts, both arrogant and kind, both traditionalist and feminist, both ancient and modern. Although, she resisted contact with the outside world (outside of both the Forbidden City and any foreigner in China she considered to be trespassing and desired their explusion), she came to embrace it on her own terms and in her own controlling way.
Someone named Hilary Spurling has written a book: Pearl S. Buck in China: Journey to the Good Earth that is just out this past June. I have put it on my ever growing list of books I must read as I want to know more about Buck and her ability to transcend Chinese culture and history as she has done so well in this recent read of mine. While I was captured by the story of the Empress, I was even more in awe of the story-teller, I have a hankering to know more. Give me some quiet moments, I have some books to read.
