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Threads of Silk: A Historical Chinese Fiction Novel
When I was a child, I thought my destiny was to live and die on the banks of the Xiangjiang River as my family had done for generations. I never imagined that my life would lead me to the Forbidden City and the court of China’s last Empress.Born in the middle of nowhere, Yaqian, a little embroidery girl from Hunan Province, finds her way to the imperial court, a place of intrigue, desire, and treachery.From the bed of an Emperor, the heart of a Prince, and the right side of an Empress, Yaqian weaves her way through the most turbulent decades of China’s history and witnesses the fall of the Qing Dynasty.Fans of Amy Tan, Lisa See, Anchee Min, and Pearl S. Buck are sure to love this debut novel by Amanda Roberts. This richly descriptive and painstakingly researched novel brings the opulence of the Qing Court to life as Yaqian and Empress Cixi's lives intertwine over six decades. AMANDA ROBERTS is a writer, editor, and teacher who has been living in China since 2010. Amanda has an MA in English from the University of Central Missouri. While in college she also studied Chinese language and history. She has been published in magazines, newspapers, and anthologies around the world and she regularly contributes to numerous blogs. She is the author of the Crazy Dumplings series of cookbooks and is a well-known blogger in China. Amanda can be found all over the Internet, but her home is AmandaRobertsWrites.com.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 6, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
September 5, 2016
Threads of Silk is a new historical novel which is sure to fascinate fans of Chinese history. The novel is about one woman’s perspective in the twilight of the Qing Dynasty (which ended in 1911), and is full of historical details. The author certainly did her research; the world of Threads of Silk is grand and exotic and rings true.
The story opens in rural Hunan and is told through the character of Yaqian, a poor girl who raises silkworms and enjoys her simple life in the countryside. After being taken up by upper class mentors, she learns embroidery and is eventually taken to Peking where she stays for the bulk of the novel. The capital city is full of politics, treachery, funerals, the aging dowager empresses, the final child emperor, and there’s even a prince. Yet this is no fairy tale by any means.
The start is somewhat on the slower side, focusing on the atmosphere of the time, and the narrative pace eventually picks up. The bulk of the tales take place within the Forbidden City, a most fascinating setting, although there is a sense that all what goes on in all of China is crucial.
Year by year Yaqian survives and grows. It’s the details that makes the stories feel truthful. Roberts paints an era of intrigue with Han Chinese versus Manchu. Much of the book is also focused on cruelty towards women, and there is ample material full of foot-binding and all the minor crimes that were part of society at the time. Ultimately, the strength of the main character shines through. Especially when it comes to the overlap of politics and family...
The country of China irrevocably changes in the course of these pages, but overall it is a human story about the people who are caught up in history. Right up until the end.
The novel covers such a grand and ambitious scope that it occasionally feels like there is a checklist of historical events to go through. It does work, and it is somewhat the point of the novel to show how a woman of humble origins would have witnessed all that occurred. For the most part the flow works with Yaqian’s life, and the exposition is part of the interest in reading Threads of Silk.
The story opens in rural Hunan and is told through the character of Yaqian, a poor girl who raises silkworms and enjoys her simple life in the countryside. After being taken up by upper class mentors, she learns embroidery and is eventually taken to Peking where she stays for the bulk of the novel. The capital city is full of politics, treachery, funerals, the aging dowager empresses, the final child emperor, and there’s even a prince. Yet this is no fairy tale by any means.
The start is somewhat on the slower side, focusing on the atmosphere of the time, and the narrative pace eventually picks up. The bulk of the tales take place within the Forbidden City, a most fascinating setting, although there is a sense that all what goes on in all of China is crucial.
Year by year Yaqian survives and grows. It’s the details that makes the stories feel truthful. Roberts paints an era of intrigue with Han Chinese versus Manchu. Much of the book is also focused on cruelty towards women, and there is ample material full of foot-binding and all the minor crimes that were part of society at the time. Ultimately, the strength of the main character shines through. Especially when it comes to the overlap of politics and family...
The country of China irrevocably changes in the course of these pages, but overall it is a human story about the people who are caught up in history. Right up until the end.
The novel covers such a grand and ambitious scope that it occasionally feels like there is a checklist of historical events to go through. It does work, and it is somewhat the point of the novel to show how a woman of humble origins would have witnessed all that occurred. For the most part the flow works with Yaqian’s life, and the exposition is part of the interest in reading Threads of Silk.
September 25, 2025
“You should climb inside my head,” I said. “It is a beautiful place.”
― Amanda Roberts, Threads of Silk: A Historical Chinese Fiction Novel
This book was utterly captivating.
Before I go on with this review, as some of you know, I have spelling issues. So for the purposes of this review, I will be referring to the protagonist simply as Yang.
This book is about Yang , a young girl from modest means and upbringing..
This book is about her ascension as a master embroiderer — and as the personal palace embroiderer.
This book is about a young modest and gentle girl, who becomes an embroiderer, an extremely famous one, for the emperor and his consort.
This book is about color and imagery .
This book is about palace betrayals, and Hijinx.
This book is about talent and skill and family and friends and pain and beauty and war and peace and love.
This is a perfect, five star book.
The first half of the book may put you in a trance. Utterly enchanting.
It’s all about the embroidery in the first half.
The book itself is one long, silken , colorful embroidery thread.
If you are a deeply visual reader, you will be in paradise with this book.
You will meet many characters in this book, and they are all multi faceted and complex.
I mean it when I say, the first half is enthralling.
Don’t get me wrong. The second half is a perfect five stars as well, but The focus does shift from embroidery in terms of the descriptive aspect.
It does not have that hypnotic quality. It gets more into serious issues, such as wars between countries, but it does still retains the enchanting aspect.
Now, if you haven’t read the book and are interested in reading it, you should stop here as the rest of my review will include the use of spoilers.
SPOILERS
I don’t judge anybody for their reading tastes , but I was a bit surprised to see when , reading some of the more negative reviews that this book was romance – a young adult romance masquerading as historical fiction. I respectfully deeply disagree.
First off I’m not sure I would even classify this is romance.
I mean yes she falls in love with the Prince , and they do have an extended relationship that spans years. But it is most definitely not YA oriented at all so I was a bit puzzled by those reviews
What differentiates this book from not all but many , young adult novels is there in Young Adult romance usually , not always, but usually the couple happily walks into the sunset together.
It was different here. From the beginning Yang makes it clear that marriage is not on her agenda and she never waivers .
The guy gets the girl, but they don’t wind up in a conventional relationship.
Most young adult books, especially romance novels do not follow the pattern. In fact, most books in general don’t follow that pattern.
And the romance is most definitely not the main aspect of the book. The culture and the embroidery and the relationships between countries and the Empress and Yang herself are the focus.
I would hate to see anybody pass this book by thinking it’s YA romance , because nothing could be further from the truth.
In closing , this is an outstanding work of fiction, beautifully woven together, with all the parts working to create a wonderful novel. Highly highly recommended.
― Amanda Roberts, Threads of Silk: A Historical Chinese Fiction Novel
This book was utterly captivating.
Before I go on with this review, as some of you know, I have spelling issues. So for the purposes of this review, I will be referring to the protagonist simply as Yang.
This book is about Yang , a young girl from modest means and upbringing..
This book is about her ascension as a master embroiderer — and as the personal palace embroiderer.
This book is about a young modest and gentle girl, who becomes an embroiderer, an extremely famous one, for the emperor and his consort.
This book is about color and imagery .
This book is about palace betrayals, and Hijinx.
This book is about talent and skill and family and friends and pain and beauty and war and peace and love.
This is a perfect, five star book.
The first half of the book may put you in a trance. Utterly enchanting.
It’s all about the embroidery in the first half.
The book itself is one long, silken , colorful embroidery thread.
If you are a deeply visual reader, you will be in paradise with this book.
You will meet many characters in this book, and they are all multi faceted and complex.
I mean it when I say, the first half is enthralling.
Don’t get me wrong. The second half is a perfect five stars as well, but The focus does shift from embroidery in terms of the descriptive aspect.
It does not have that hypnotic quality. It gets more into serious issues, such as wars between countries, but it does still retains the enchanting aspect.
Now, if you haven’t read the book and are interested in reading it, you should stop here as the rest of my review will include the use of spoilers.
SPOILERS
I don’t judge anybody for their reading tastes , but I was a bit surprised to see when , reading some of the more negative reviews that this book was romance – a young adult romance masquerading as historical fiction. I respectfully deeply disagree.
First off I’m not sure I would even classify this is romance.
I mean yes she falls in love with the Prince , and they do have an extended relationship that spans years. But it is most definitely not YA oriented at all so I was a bit puzzled by those reviews
What differentiates this book from not all but many , young adult novels is there in Young Adult romance usually , not always, but usually the couple happily walks into the sunset together.
It was different here. From the beginning Yang makes it clear that marriage is not on her agenda and she never waivers .
The guy gets the girl, but they don’t wind up in a conventional relationship.
Most young adult books, especially romance novels do not follow the pattern. In fact, most books in general don’t follow that pattern.
And the romance is most definitely not the main aspect of the book. The culture and the embroidery and the relationships between countries and the Empress and Yang herself are the focus.
I would hate to see anybody pass this book by thinking it’s YA romance , because nothing could be further from the truth.
In closing , this is an outstanding work of fiction, beautifully woven together, with all the parts working to create a wonderful novel. Highly highly recommended.
August 27, 2025
Threads of Silk is a work of art. We follow Empress Cixi's reign through the eyes of a brilliant embroidery girl, spanning decades. We see the story of not only one girl's life and achievements but also the fall of China through the eyes of Yaqian, our protagonist.
In Threads of Silk we follow a poor girl who discovers a love, passion, and talent for embroidery. Yaqian goes from being a young embroidery student under the enigmatic Lady Tang to a master artisan herself working for the Empress of China. Through the years we witness Yaqians passionate romance with a prince, her apprehension about motherhood, and her unwavering loyalty to Cixi.
Yaqian was someone I could really relate to on many levels, especially an artistic level. Her strive and ambition to be a great embroiderer was something I deeply connected with, as I've had a passion for art for decades. I felt like I really got to know and love this character throughout the story. Yaqian as a character is very multidimensional. I admired how driven and ambitious she was but yet vulnerable too.
This book had a lot of unique and interesting characters. I found myself equally engrossed in the other characters stories, particularly the goings on of Lady Tang and Hulan. Amanda Roberts makes everyone feel so real, so multifaceted that it feels like these are actual people you know and are invested in.
If you like historical fiction, particularly with an Asian setting, then I can't recommend this book enough.
In Threads of Silk we follow a poor girl who discovers a love, passion, and talent for embroidery. Yaqian goes from being a young embroidery student under the enigmatic Lady Tang to a master artisan herself working for the Empress of China. Through the years we witness Yaqians passionate romance with a prince, her apprehension about motherhood, and her unwavering loyalty to Cixi.
Yaqian was someone I could really relate to on many levels, especially an artistic level. Her strive and ambition to be a great embroiderer was something I deeply connected with, as I've had a passion for art for decades. I felt like I really got to know and love this character throughout the story. Yaqian as a character is very multidimensional. I admired how driven and ambitious she was but yet vulnerable too.
This book had a lot of unique and interesting characters. I found myself equally engrossed in the other characters stories, particularly the goings on of Lady Tang and Hulan. Amanda Roberts makes everyone feel so real, so multifaceted that it feels like these are actual people you know and are invested in.
If you like historical fiction, particularly with an Asian setting, then I can't recommend this book enough.
October 18, 2016
This was a flowing and lyrical story. The imagery is beautiful, and while the story unfolds slowly, it's a lovely floating tale.
The actual contents and events aren't beautiful though. Yaqian does not have an easy life as a young girl in China at the end of the 1800s. The historical events are told quite well, with enough detail that I never got lost, but I was also never overwhelmed either. This balance is maintained by keeping the focus on Yaqian and her life.
This is a character driven story for sure, and it's told with a very intriguing protagonist. I loved the look at the history of this era in China, and at what life was like for a woman at that time. The prose is why I love the story though. It's just so magical and lyrical. I'd recommend it to lovers of historical fiction.
The actual contents and events aren't beautiful though. Yaqian does not have an easy life as a young girl in China at the end of the 1800s. The historical events are told quite well, with enough detail that I never got lost, but I was also never overwhelmed either. This balance is maintained by keeping the focus on Yaqian and her life.
This is a character driven story for sure, and it's told with a very intriguing protagonist. I loved the look at the history of this era in China, and at what life was like for a woman at that time. The prose is why I love the story though. It's just so magical and lyrical. I'd recommend it to lovers of historical fiction.
March 4, 2019
Epic story of Yang Yaqian, a young girl who rises from humble beginnings to the royal court of the notorious Empress Cixi. Yaqian is the spirited only child of silk farmers, content to finish her life caring for the small worms when silk slippers she embroiders and showcasing her raw talent propel her to a school where she learns to become a skilled worker. She is feisty and ambitious and a prank lands her in the court of the Emperor where she comes part of the retinue servicing the mother to the future Emperor. She falls in love with a Prince and as Cixi (the now Dowager Empress) becomes more powerful, she becomes part of a pivotal time in China's history. Vivid descriptions and filled with interesting aspects of China's history, this was a fascinating look into the Forbidden City. Some reviewers have said it was not historically accurate and I don't know enough to vouch for that- as a story of women that are rendered powerless because of their gender, it is a wonderful tale of how they use their brain and connections to achieve their goals.
November 21, 2016
I think any comparisons to Snow Flower and the Secret Fan are inevitable, for anyone who has read both and that this book. The similarities are certainly there - women beginning their lives with foot binding, and this binding changing their destinies.
In my opinion, Snow Flower is a better book. However there are a lot of good things to say about Threads of Silk. The central concept - of embroidery providing a reason for the character's elevation to the Royal Court of the dying Qing Dynasty, was interesting me. Similarly I found the relationships Yaqian had with both the men and women around here, shaped by the traditions and rules of the time, were fascinating. I especially loved how true to life her romantic relationship turned out to be.
The problems were two fold: too much "show don't tell" and too long of a book.
If the former were reduced, the latter would no longer be an issue. Threads of Silk, especially by the end, begins to have pages of historical facts in between its fiction. Whilst I understand why they were there, my interest is in the experience of Yaqian, and I felt the book looses its pace when it veers from historical fiction to non-fiction.
Overall an interesting read for fans of a Chinese historical fiction setting, but nothing revolutionary (other than the Boxer Rebellion - which plays a large role) to be found here.
In my opinion, Snow Flower is a better book. However there are a lot of good things to say about Threads of Silk. The central concept - of embroidery providing a reason for the character's elevation to the Royal Court of the dying Qing Dynasty, was interesting me. Similarly I found the relationships Yaqian had with both the men and women around here, shaped by the traditions and rules of the time, were fascinating. I especially loved how true to life her romantic relationship turned out to be.
The problems were two fold: too much "show don't tell" and too long of a book.
If the former were reduced, the latter would no longer be an issue. Threads of Silk, especially by the end, begins to have pages of historical facts in between its fiction. Whilst I understand why they were there, my interest is in the experience of Yaqian, and I felt the book looses its pace when it veers from historical fiction to non-fiction.
Overall an interesting read for fans of a Chinese historical fiction setting, but nothing revolutionary (other than the Boxer Rebellion - which plays a large role) to be found here.
November 8, 2016
This was a lovely addition to my collection of historical fiction and fantasy about China. I haven't known or read much of this period specifically in Asia (1840 to 1908), and the only event I could recognise was the Boxers' rebellion, however Threads of Silk was utterly charming.
It's very Chinese in that sense as it's all about embracing your role and staying loyal and following the traditions...and yet, it also shows that women were not as powerless in Chinese Empire, and that Wu Zetian wasn't the only female Empress actually ruling and affecting policies in the long history of China.
Yaqian begins her story as a six year-old urchin, whose mother decides to bind her feet to improve the girl's prospects of marriage. As Han family, her family was expected to follow this barbaric tradition. It's a horrendous experience, and a woman never really recovers from it. She would always be in some pain throughout her life.
Forced to sit still, Yaqian turns to embroidery, and after her talent is discovered, she is taken to an embroidery school. At sixteen, having invented double-sided embroidery method, she sneaks in a small fan into a gift basket for an emperor's favorite concubine against the wishes of her master. Unexpectedly, she is whisked away to Peking to serve in the Forbidden City at the side of the same concubine.
Over the years Yaqian gains trust of her mistress, helping her in various political maneuvers, and becomes a master embroiderer while the concubine turns into Consort, and eventually into Empress Cixi. Yaqian is a steady character who knows what she wants and carries on with her duty no matter what. She has many chances to leave her job, as Emperor's brother Gong has been in love with her over a period of many years, and the description of their connection to each other is believable and bittersweet.
What I found really inspiring was Yaqian's quiet assurance that she did not need the distraction of a man or family. Her love for her art made her create incredible pieces of embroidery, which were always underlying the significance of this or that historical event.
The writing style is not dramatic, but I got immersed in it nonetheless. Yaqian was like the eye of the storm, a quiet and lovely contrast to very turbulent times in China's history, and I very much enjoyed her life story. Recommended.
* * *
Нити Шёлка оказались прекрасным дополнением к моей коллекции литературы об Азии и Китае в особенности. Я не знала многого о периоде с 1840 по 1908 год, кроме упомянутого здесь Боксёрского восстания, так что читать мне эту книгу было очень интересно.
Лиричная вышла, меланхоличная история, пронизанная традициями и менталитетом Китая. Главная героиня - Ачен, из китайцев хань провинции Ханан, тогда как правящая династия Цин - это манчжуры.
В шесть лет её мать решает улучшить её шансы на хороший брак и перебинтовывает ей ноги. Этот многовековой, варварский обыай здесь описан без приукрашиваний, и что печально, это то, что женщины, через него прошедшие будут испытывать боль и проблемы со здоровьем до конца жизни.
Ачен, вынужденная сидеть долго на одном месте, начинает вышивать, и обнаруживается, то у неё талант. Десять лет спустя она лучшая ученица местной школы вышивания, и созданный ею способ двустороннего вышивание привлекает внимание императора, который дарит её своей любимой конкубине.
Ачен проводит в Запретном Городе почти пятьдесят лет, тихо любя брата императора, принца Гонга, от мимолетней связи с которым у неё тайно появляется дочь. Она становится конфиданткой её госпожи, которая восходит к власти сначала как Консорт и затем как Императрица Цыси, помогая той в различных политических манёврах. Но связывает все эти события её любовь к вышиванию, и созданные ею флаг Китая, легендарная одежда и прочие объекты вышивки войдут в историю.
Автор показывает, что императрица У Цзэтянь оказалась не единственной правительницей-женщиной в истории Китая. Императрица Цыси провела долгие годы между недолговечными императорами, ведя страну к реформам и процветанию, пока каждый из них не брал власть в руки и не сводил её усилия на нет.
Здесь также прекрасно описаны напряжение и ненависть к иностранцам, которые постепенно захлёстывают страну; катастрафические решения императоров воевать с иностранными державами, а не договариваться с ними; и сложные отношения Ачен и принца Гонга, которые были активными заговорщиками и в дальнейшем помощниками Цыси на благо империи.
Читалось легко и интересно. Концовка немного разочаровывает, однако она жизненна и правдива, и книгу эту я всё-равно рекомендую.
It's very Chinese in that sense as it's all about embracing your role and staying loyal and following the traditions...and yet, it also shows that women were not as powerless in Chinese Empire, and that Wu Zetian wasn't the only female Empress actually ruling and affecting policies in the long history of China.
Yaqian begins her story as a six year-old urchin, whose mother decides to bind her feet to improve the girl's prospects of marriage. As Han family, her family was expected to follow this barbaric tradition. It's a horrendous experience, and a woman never really recovers from it. She would always be in some pain throughout her life.
Forced to sit still, Yaqian turns to embroidery, and after her talent is discovered, she is taken to an embroidery school. At sixteen, having invented double-sided embroidery method, she sneaks in a small fan into a gift basket for an emperor's favorite concubine against the wishes of her master. Unexpectedly, she is whisked away to Peking to serve in the Forbidden City at the side of the same concubine.
Over the years Yaqian gains trust of her mistress, helping her in various political maneuvers, and becomes a master embroiderer while the concubine turns into Consort, and eventually into Empress Cixi. Yaqian is a steady character who knows what she wants and carries on with her duty no matter what. She has many chances to leave her job, as Emperor's brother Gong has been in love with her over a period of many years, and the description of their connection to each other is believable and bittersweet.
What I found really inspiring was Yaqian's quiet assurance that she did not need the distraction of a man or family. Her love for her art made her create incredible pieces of embroidery, which were always underlying the significance of this or that historical event.
The writing style is not dramatic, but I got immersed in it nonetheless. Yaqian was like the eye of the storm, a quiet and lovely contrast to very turbulent times in China's history, and I very much enjoyed her life story. Recommended.
* * *
Нити Шёлка оказались прекрасным дополнением к моей коллекции литературы об Азии и Китае в особенности. Я не знала многого о периоде с 1840 по 1908 год, кроме упомянутого здесь Боксёрского восстания, так что читать мне эту книгу было очень интересно.
Лиричная вышла, меланхоличная история, пронизанная традициями и менталитетом Китая. Главная героиня - Ачен, из китайцев хань провинции Ханан, тогда как правящая династия Цин - это манчжуры.
В шесть лет её мать решает улучшить её шансы на хороший брак и перебинтовывает ей ноги. Этот многовековой, варварский обыай здесь описан без приукрашиваний, и что печально, это то, что женщины, через него прошедшие будут испытывать боль и проблемы со здоровьем до конца жизни.
Ачен, вынужденная сидеть долго на одном месте, начинает вышивать, и обнаруживается, то у неё талант. Десять лет спустя она лучшая ученица местной школы вышивания, и созданный ею способ двустороннего вышивание привлекает внимание императора, который дарит её своей любимой конкубине.
Ачен проводит в Запретном Городе почти пятьдесят лет, тихо любя брата императора, принца Гонга, от мимолетней связи с которым у неё тайно появляется дочь. Она становится конфиданткой её госпожи, которая восходит к власти сначала как Консорт и затем как Императрица Цыси, помогая той в различных политических манёврах. Но связывает все эти события её любовь к вышиванию, и созданные ею флаг Китая, легендарная одежда и прочие объекты вышивки войдут в историю.
Автор показывает, что императрица У Цзэтянь оказалась не единственной правительницей-женщиной в истории Китая. Императрица Цыси провела долгие годы между недолговечными императорами, ведя страну к реформам и процветанию, пока каждый из них не брал власть в руки и не сводил её усилия на нет.
Здесь также прекрасно описаны напряжение и ненависть к иностранцам, которые постепенно захлёстывают страну; катастрафические решения императоров воевать с иностранными державами, а не договариваться с ними; и сложные отношения Ачен и принца Гонга, которые были активными заговорщиками и в дальнейшем помощниками Цыси на благо империи.
Читалось легко и интересно. Концовка немного разочаровывает, однако она жизненна и правдива, и книгу эту я всё-равно рекомендую.
May 7, 2018
American romance masquerading as Chinese historical fiction. I enjoyed the first part, where Yaqian was growing up, despite the repeated malapropisms (this book seriously needs an editor or proofreader). From the moment Yaqian is summoned to the Forbidden City it becomes more and more unbelievable. Not only that, but the characters and the interactions between the characters felt distinctly American. It was, as I said at the beginning, an American romance novel with the names and places made Chinese. Not impressed and will not be reading any more from this author.
August 8, 2018
As the Qing Dynasty draws to a close...
I thoroughly enjoyed the audio version of this book - when faced with unpronounceable names in a foreign language, the audio is often the best solution and Leanne Yau had a convincing Chinese accent.
The main character is Yaqian, just a child when she is removed from her rural home province and sent to an embroidery school. As a young girl she had enjoyed working in the fields, where she had loved caring for the silk worms, but when the time came for her feet to be bound, she had to stay indoors and learned embroidery instead. She worked on her first pair of dainty shoes, intending to wear them herself, but they were so beautiful that they were taken from her and sold.
Her skills became recognised and she gained a place at a prestigious embroidery school, where the sales of her work were to pay for her education. The daily rigours of the school are covered in quite extensive detail, including music and traditional dance.
Yaqian is always striving to improve and when she develops a technique that allows both sides of the embroidery to be perfect, she starts to excel beyond the skills of her master.
A piece of her work is sent as a gift to the Emperor's favourite concubine and suddenly she finds herself whisked away to the capital and to a new life in the Forbidden City.
Through Yaqian we partake in events from the late 1800s into the early twentieth century, as she becomes Imperial Concubine Yi's personal embroiderer. As Concubine Yi rises to become Empress Cixi, Yaqian stays loyal and eventually becomes a personal friend. The Qing Dynasty is drawing to a close and events become tense and worrying, yet Yaqian keeps her head and proves herself well beyond her skills as an embroiderer.
How cool is it that we can now visit this Forbidden City, where so much of China's history once played out?
The author has lived in China for the past eight years and speaks the language. She researched extensively for this novel and I found myself becoming very involved in the history of Chinese embroidery. There was also the inevitably uncomfortable section on the ancient practice of foot binding, so be warned.
An interesting novel to listen to, slow moving but never static. This would appeal to lovers of historical fiction and historical romance.
I thoroughly enjoyed the audio version of this book - when faced with unpronounceable names in a foreign language, the audio is often the best solution and Leanne Yau had a convincing Chinese accent.
The main character is Yaqian, just a child when she is removed from her rural home province and sent to an embroidery school. As a young girl she had enjoyed working in the fields, where she had loved caring for the silk worms, but when the time came for her feet to be bound, she had to stay indoors and learned embroidery instead. She worked on her first pair of dainty shoes, intending to wear them herself, but they were so beautiful that they were taken from her and sold.
Her skills became recognised and she gained a place at a prestigious embroidery school, where the sales of her work were to pay for her education. The daily rigours of the school are covered in quite extensive detail, including music and traditional dance.
Yaqian is always striving to improve and when she develops a technique that allows both sides of the embroidery to be perfect, she starts to excel beyond the skills of her master.
A piece of her work is sent as a gift to the Emperor's favourite concubine and suddenly she finds herself whisked away to the capital and to a new life in the Forbidden City.
Through Yaqian we partake in events from the late 1800s into the early twentieth century, as she becomes Imperial Concubine Yi's personal embroiderer. As Concubine Yi rises to become Empress Cixi, Yaqian stays loyal and eventually becomes a personal friend. The Qing Dynasty is drawing to a close and events become tense and worrying, yet Yaqian keeps her head and proves herself well beyond her skills as an embroiderer.
How cool is it that we can now visit this Forbidden City, where so much of China's history once played out?
The author has lived in China for the past eight years and speaks the language. She researched extensively for this novel and I found myself becoming very involved in the history of Chinese embroidery. There was also the inevitably uncomfortable section on the ancient practice of foot binding, so be warned.
An interesting novel to listen to, slow moving but never static. This would appeal to lovers of historical fiction and historical romance.
March 24, 2018
THREADS OF SILK by Amanda Roberts is a story intertwining China’s history and Yaqian, a peasant girl who becomes the personal embroider to Imperial Concubine Yi (a.k.a Empress Cixi). Through Yaqian’s eyes we see the rise of Empress Cixi and the ending of the Qing Dynasty.
There were many things I admired about Yaqian: love for her art and to become a master embroider, her want of independence in age where it was unheard of, and her friendship and loyalty to her Empress. Yaqian’s journey from a humble, innocent girl to woman trying to find her place in an opulent court filled with intrigue, politics, and witnessing China’s tumult history made very interesting story. At times I felt I was reading a personal diary. I enjoyed the scenes between Yaqian and Empress Cixi. Watching Yaqian’s relationship blossom from the Empress’ personal embroider to a friend and confident was fascinating. I enjoyed Yaqian’s perspective as we witness Cixi taking the reins of power and doing all she can to ensure China’s independence and the continuous of the Qing Dynasty. Roberts does a wonderful job of creating a mesmerizing story that kept me entertained.
THREADS OF SILK is a story for those who enjoy Chinese history, women rising from humble beginnings, and friendship.
There were many things I admired about Yaqian: love for her art and to become a master embroider, her want of independence in age where it was unheard of, and her friendship and loyalty to her Empress. Yaqian’s journey from a humble, innocent girl to woman trying to find her place in an opulent court filled with intrigue, politics, and witnessing China’s tumult history made very interesting story. At times I felt I was reading a personal diary. I enjoyed the scenes between Yaqian and Empress Cixi. Watching Yaqian’s relationship blossom from the Empress’ personal embroider to a friend and confident was fascinating. I enjoyed Yaqian’s perspective as we witness Cixi taking the reins of power and doing all she can to ensure China’s independence and the continuous of the Qing Dynasty. Roberts does a wonderful job of creating a mesmerizing story that kept me entertained.
THREADS OF SILK is a story for those who enjoy Chinese history, women rising from humble beginnings, and friendship.
April 14, 2019
So sad this one is over. I only wish I would have read Threads of Silk before I went to China. The story takes place from 1846-1908. A story of powerful women who really were the ones to rule China in the 1800’s. Beautifully written, easy to grasp the history and characters you will love and despise. Sometimes endings are disappointing but Amanda Roberts provided the perfect ending leaving the reader completely satisfied. The ending clinched a 5 star rating and left me wishing there were even more stars to give!
March 23, 2019
This is why I read...What a great story...... Historical fiction is always my favorite....Beautifuly written....page turner......... After visting China a few times all the pieces of history have come together. Visting the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, etc....I just love this story starting in 1846 thru 1908 about a young girl Yaqian was born before her time, brave, strong indepenadant, Yaqian is summoned by The Empress of China to become one of her staff as a gifted embroider. I could not put it down..... I'm still reading on line about the chracters in the book.
March 19, 2018
I really did not like it for a few reasons. I cannot get by the fact that a peasant girl would have the nerve, the gall to speak to a Prince the way she did and was not beheaded for it. I mean c'mon!! That would never have been allowed, no matter how beautiful or talented she was. I do not care she was so ignorant, proud and vain that she thought she should go through the main entrance. That was probably the fifth time she should have been beheaded. She refused to become a concubine to a prince. Na-eh!! Just does not fly. She was not a free woman. Some of the language, was just wrong for me as well. Yaqian (Ms Roberts) said something about the Prince getting a 'kick' out of teasing her. Really - a 'kick' out of it. I will get off my pedestal after this last statement. I thought the storyline was about the forbidden city. This was a Chinese harlequin romance gone bad.
June 19, 2017
Epic story telling of China's history told from the point of view of an embroiderer and all she encountered in her many years of service to the Empress. Loved this tale and how it felt like I was in it with her. The time period and everything surrounding it is incredibly well researched but in that perfect way that shows the author knows what she's talking about but doesn't need to flaunt or prove it- very natural. Roberts took me on a journey and made me sad every time I had to put the book down and do real life again- the romance, the intrigue, the history and culture, all incredibly well done. I'd definitely read something else by Roberts in the future and in the meantime highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an epic journey that floats you effortlessly to each next page.
January 30, 2017
Always a fan of Chinese historical fiction so I was thrilled to discover this book. An intricately woven story threading the life of Yaqian, a young talented embroiderer, in the Forbidden City to work for the shrewd last empress of China during the Qing Dynasty. I was pleased that the horrors of wartime weren't downplayed or simply ignored like it didn't happen. Loved the beautiful descriptions of the palaces and gardens.
A star was removed because the book needed a lot of editing. There were enough typos, grammatical and spellings errors to distract me. One should know the difference between dying and dyeing cloths.
A star was removed because the book needed a lot of editing. There were enough typos, grammatical and spellings errors to distract me. One should know the difference between dying and dyeing cloths.
April 25, 2019
Thrust from a mundane, everyday non important life, into the realm of the most important court in the country, the women crosses the bridge between these two different levels of life, to discover a life style that she never knew existed. (no more spoilers) very enlightening story, interesting how a person from the low level of life suddenly rises up to the height of society. I liked this book, the story, the period of history the story line is based, all interesting stuff. Well written, no errors, I think the book cover is good and that is what attracted me to the book. For me this is a five star book, just because I like this type of story very much. Added to my favourite book shelf.
October 2, 2016
A glimpse of the social, cultural, economical and political background of 19th century China.
“Threads of Silk” is an intriguing tale of the life journey of a peasant girl, how her wheel of fortune turns and she lands far away from her home.
Summary:- When I was a child, I thought my destiny was to live and die on the banks of the Xiangjiang River as my family had done for generations. I never imagined that my life would lead me to the Forbidden City and the court of China’s last Empress.
Born in the middle of nowhere, Yaqian, a little embroidery girl from Hunan Province, finds her way to the imperial court, a place of intrigue, desire, and treachery. From the bed of an Emperor, the heart of a Prince, and the right side of an Empress, Yaqian weaves her way through the most turbulent decades of China’s history and witnesses the fall of the Qing Dynasty.
My thoughts:- The novel is essentially a historical romance. Based in rural Hunan it portrays the era of the last Imperial house Qing Dynasty from 1840-1908 .
According to history this time consists of reign of three different Manchu emperors. Xianfeng Emperor(1850-1861), Tongzhi Emperor(1861-1875) and Guangxu Emperor(1875- 1908).
It was a crucial time in Imperial China’s history. 1840 was the first opium war with Britain, in 1864 third battle of Nanking, First Sino- Japanese war, later Boxer rebellion.
The story revolves around Yang Yaqian, a six years old girl from rural Hunan district. Gifted with the talent of art she is admitted to a school to learn embroidery. Soon she surpasses all the girls and becomes the best artisan of the school.
After the birth of Tongzhi Emperor she along with her fellow classmates sends embroidered clothes to the Royal family to congratulate them. Her two sided embroidery catches the Emperor’s eye and she is given the title of Court Artisan under the Imperial Concubine. She fell in love with the emperor’s younger brother, a predominant character Prince Gong, and with him she had a daughter.
The book is well researched and written in first person point of view. Authoress has weaved the story lovingly with “threads of silk”.
Some very crucial social pictures are presented skillfully. Girl children are fairly unwanted. They are either liabilities or means to attract rich husbands. Young Chinese girls have their feet bound at the age of four to six that leads to break the bones and prevents the feet to grow. There are young eunuchs who are taken from poor families and appointed in the Forbidden City and the Imperial Palace.
There are two most important characters. The first is our heroine. Simple yet clever girl with her bound feet and no knowledge except of her embroidery skill. She is a servant in the Imperial Palace and a mere mistress of Prince Gong. As a woman has no liberty. Yet she has a voice of her own. She speaks forcefully after the birth of her daughter “The Prince told me that all wives pray for a son. I decided that since I was no man’s wife, I would pray for a girl.”
The other one is Empress Dowager Cixi. Selected as an Imperial concubine of the Xianfeng Emperor she gave birth to a son. She never posed herself as a queen only the caregiver of the emperor until he comes of age yet was well versed in courtly politics and a fine diplomat.
Drawbacks and ratings:- But the book has a prominent drawback. Somehow the chemistry between the character and reader was absent. The story has been told by flat narrative way and it did not leave a mark in to the heart.
The book is a wonderful historical source of 19th Century China but it is good for one time read. But I like it and 4 starts out of 5. Oh and last but not the least a very beautiful and attractive cover.
Thanksgiving:- Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
“Threads of Silk” is an intriguing tale of the life journey of a peasant girl, how her wheel of fortune turns and she lands far away from her home.
Summary:- When I was a child, I thought my destiny was to live and die on the banks of the Xiangjiang River as my family had done for generations. I never imagined that my life would lead me to the Forbidden City and the court of China’s last Empress.
Born in the middle of nowhere, Yaqian, a little embroidery girl from Hunan Province, finds her way to the imperial court, a place of intrigue, desire, and treachery. From the bed of an Emperor, the heart of a Prince, and the right side of an Empress, Yaqian weaves her way through the most turbulent decades of China’s history and witnesses the fall of the Qing Dynasty.
My thoughts:- The novel is essentially a historical romance. Based in rural Hunan it portrays the era of the last Imperial house Qing Dynasty from 1840-1908 .
According to history this time consists of reign of three different Manchu emperors. Xianfeng Emperor(1850-1861), Tongzhi Emperor(1861-1875) and Guangxu Emperor(1875- 1908).
It was a crucial time in Imperial China’s history. 1840 was the first opium war with Britain, in 1864 third battle of Nanking, First Sino- Japanese war, later Boxer rebellion.
The story revolves around Yang Yaqian, a six years old girl from rural Hunan district. Gifted with the talent of art she is admitted to a school to learn embroidery. Soon she surpasses all the girls and becomes the best artisan of the school.
After the birth of Tongzhi Emperor she along with her fellow classmates sends embroidered clothes to the Royal family to congratulate them. Her two sided embroidery catches the Emperor’s eye and she is given the title of Court Artisan under the Imperial Concubine. She fell in love with the emperor’s younger brother, a predominant character Prince Gong, and with him she had a daughter.
The book is well researched and written in first person point of view. Authoress has weaved the story lovingly with “threads of silk”.
Some very crucial social pictures are presented skillfully. Girl children are fairly unwanted. They are either liabilities or means to attract rich husbands. Young Chinese girls have their feet bound at the age of four to six that leads to break the bones and prevents the feet to grow. There are young eunuchs who are taken from poor families and appointed in the Forbidden City and the Imperial Palace.
There are two most important characters. The first is our heroine. Simple yet clever girl with her bound feet and no knowledge except of her embroidery skill. She is a servant in the Imperial Palace and a mere mistress of Prince Gong. As a woman has no liberty. Yet she has a voice of her own. She speaks forcefully after the birth of her daughter “The Prince told me that all wives pray for a son. I decided that since I was no man’s wife, I would pray for a girl.”
The other one is Empress Dowager Cixi. Selected as an Imperial concubine of the Xianfeng Emperor she gave birth to a son. She never posed herself as a queen only the caregiver of the emperor until he comes of age yet was well versed in courtly politics and a fine diplomat.
Drawbacks and ratings:- But the book has a prominent drawback. Somehow the chemistry between the character and reader was absent. The story has been told by flat narrative way and it did not leave a mark in to the heart.
The book is a wonderful historical source of 19th Century China but it is good for one time read. But I like it and 4 starts out of 5. Oh and last but not the least a very beautiful and attractive cover.
Thanksgiving:- Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
November 3, 2016
I absolutely loved reading this book. For some reason, I'm very attracted to reading books about China and their culture and this book completely hooked me from the get go.
The one thing that I keep wondering about, was how restricted Chinese women were, and I know, after reading this book, that I'm being remarkably blasé saying Chinese when I probably mean Han, who the protagonist is. The binding of the legs, the matchmaker, their customs. It strikes me as being a completely different world. I can't imagine the way women were simply treated as child bearers and having no importance in the household. I suppose, there are a lot of countries where women are still treated that way, but reading the extent to which lives were mechanized there in China really amazed me.
I find myself drawn to their history and culture, probably because they have preserved it so well. Their knowledge of their own traditions is intact and accessible. It makes studying or immersing yourself in their culture a rewarding exercise.
Reading about the Qing empire made me research about them on Wikipedia, and it was especially interesting to note how the British landed in the country and went ahead spreading Christianity in the country. I find that an extremely sore point and it angers me to know that countries still routinely send missionaries preaching the superiority of their religion over others. And forcibly converting people. The grim realities in villages in India and Sri Lanka supports me when I say this practice is absolutely disgusting. And to know that it got to China and its people earlier really hurt me. I wish Christianity and Islam as religions stuck to their own roots and did not seek others to add to their religion like a flock of lambs. This behavior is crude and I wish leaders had the guts to call it out globally.
I do digress. Reading about Empress Dowager Cixi showed me a different side to her. Wikipedia spoke about the decisions that she took and the failures that resulted in the collapse of the Qing Dynasty, and yet, I felt Cixi was very smart for most of her life. She showed that if a woman is given the reins and she has enough confidence, she can go the distance.
I spent a few nights completely absorbed reading about the collapse and the end of the Qing Dynasty and reading about how foreign invasions hurt them. And how their loss in wars hurt them. I've always felt colonial expansion deprived our world of a lot and this book reinforced that. To say that every country colonized has lost a great deal would be.. diminishing the true extent of the depletion in world culture that resulted.
I absolutely absolutely loved this book. I loved how this book transported me into the Royal Palace in the Forbidden City and how vividly every scene played out! I really wish more such books come my way which transport me in history.
The one thing that I keep wondering about, was how restricted Chinese women were, and I know, after reading this book, that I'm being remarkably blasé saying Chinese when I probably mean Han, who the protagonist is. The binding of the legs, the matchmaker, their customs. It strikes me as being a completely different world. I can't imagine the way women were simply treated as child bearers and having no importance in the household. I suppose, there are a lot of countries where women are still treated that way, but reading the extent to which lives were mechanized there in China really amazed me.
I find myself drawn to their history and culture, probably because they have preserved it so well. Their knowledge of their own traditions is intact and accessible. It makes studying or immersing yourself in their culture a rewarding exercise.
Reading about the Qing empire made me research about them on Wikipedia, and it was especially interesting to note how the British landed in the country and went ahead spreading Christianity in the country. I find that an extremely sore point and it angers me to know that countries still routinely send missionaries preaching the superiority of their religion over others. And forcibly converting people. The grim realities in villages in India and Sri Lanka supports me when I say this practice is absolutely disgusting. And to know that it got to China and its people earlier really hurt me. I wish Christianity and Islam as religions stuck to their own roots and did not seek others to add to their religion like a flock of lambs. This behavior is crude and I wish leaders had the guts to call it out globally.
I do digress. Reading about Empress Dowager Cixi showed me a different side to her. Wikipedia spoke about the decisions that she took and the failures that resulted in the collapse of the Qing Dynasty, and yet, I felt Cixi was very smart for most of her life. She showed that if a woman is given the reins and she has enough confidence, she can go the distance.
I spent a few nights completely absorbed reading about the collapse and the end of the Qing Dynasty and reading about how foreign invasions hurt them. And how their loss in wars hurt them. I've always felt colonial expansion deprived our world of a lot and this book reinforced that. To say that every country colonized has lost a great deal would be.. diminishing the true extent of the depletion in world culture that resulted.
I absolutely absolutely loved this book. I loved how this book transported me into the Royal Palace in the Forbidden City and how vividly every scene played out! I really wish more such books come my way which transport me in history.
January 24, 2019
Week 4 book 8
Threads of Silk by Amanda Roberts
Rating: 2/5
I am a huge fan of historical fiction, and especially Asian HF. Last year I read many fascinating books like Empress Orchid, Snowflower and the secret fan, Pachinko, etc. So I was quite excited to read this book, which is set in the same time frame. However, it didn't live up to my expectations.
The story revolves around the life of Yaquin, a little gril from an impoverished family, who has bound feet and immense talent with embroidery that she discovers by accident. Her fame spreads and she gets a chance to train as a master embroiderer and also enter the Forbidden City to work for the Royal Family. The book chronicles her life from around age of six, when she led a simple idyllic life with her silkworms, to 60+ years later, when she is in her golden years. A lot happens in the interim, and overall, the plotline is interesting.
What didn't work for me was how the second half didn't match up to the first half. The first half described in detail life for Yaquin in her village and at her embroidery school. The imagery and prose is evocative. But in the second half, things start going south. It's like a crash course in Chinese history, and life of dowager Empress Cixi. Too much happens too fast, and you lose interest.
My second grouse is with the editing of the book. It needed to be written better. And the language and dialogues used were far too modern, to match the timelines. Kind of like Shiva saying what the hell in Immortals of Meluha series. The readers don't really get attached to the many characters beyond Yaquin. Or maybe, I'm biased because I read this book after so many others set in a similar time frame.
In any case, it's an okay book, you won't miss much if you don't read it.
Threads of Silk by Amanda Roberts
Rating: 2/5
I am a huge fan of historical fiction, and especially Asian HF. Last year I read many fascinating books like Empress Orchid, Snowflower and the secret fan, Pachinko, etc. So I was quite excited to read this book, which is set in the same time frame. However, it didn't live up to my expectations.
The story revolves around the life of Yaquin, a little gril from an impoverished family, who has bound feet and immense talent with embroidery that she discovers by accident. Her fame spreads and she gets a chance to train as a master embroiderer and also enter the Forbidden City to work for the Royal Family. The book chronicles her life from around age of six, when she led a simple idyllic life with her silkworms, to 60+ years later, when she is in her golden years. A lot happens in the interim, and overall, the plotline is interesting.
What didn't work for me was how the second half didn't match up to the first half. The first half described in detail life for Yaquin in her village and at her embroidery school. The imagery and prose is evocative. But in the second half, things start going south. It's like a crash course in Chinese history, and life of dowager Empress Cixi. Too much happens too fast, and you lose interest.
My second grouse is with the editing of the book. It needed to be written better. And the language and dialogues used were far too modern, to match the timelines. Kind of like Shiva saying what the hell in Immortals of Meluha series. The readers don't really get attached to the many characters beyond Yaquin. Or maybe, I'm biased because I read this book after so many others set in a similar time frame.
In any case, it's an okay book, you won't miss much if you don't read it.
August 20, 2017
This beautiful story starts out with Yaqian being a small child during the Qing Dynasty. She is required to collect silk worms for her family to sell so they can eat. A fortune teller helps Yaqian's mother decide to perform the traditional foot binding on Yaqian, to improve her prospects in a future marriage.
During the beginning of her foot binding process, Yaqian is gifted a pair of embroidered slippers from her aunt. Yaqian remakes them by teaching herself to embroider them and make them more beautiful. After her talent is found out, she creates more beautiful slippers to sell for her family and eventually is accepted into a school to learn to become a master embroider. She spends around 9 years at the school and makes many friends and becomes the best. She eventually creates a new way to embroider that catches the attention of the Emperor. He gifts her to his favorite concubine, and mother of his only son who is heir to the throne. This is where Yaqian spends the bulk of her life.
I found every part of this book fascinating. I enjoyed seeing life through the eyes of Yaqian. She is a very simple girl who is loyal and a real survivor. She seems to have gone through so much in her life, but always figured out a way to come out on top.
Leanne Yau is a very talented narrator. Her performance was flawless. I can't imagine it being any better.
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher courtesy of Audiobook Blast.
During the beginning of her foot binding process, Yaqian is gifted a pair of embroidered slippers from her aunt. Yaqian remakes them by teaching herself to embroider them and make them more beautiful. After her talent is found out, she creates more beautiful slippers to sell for her family and eventually is accepted into a school to learn to become a master embroider. She spends around 9 years at the school and makes many friends and becomes the best. She eventually creates a new way to embroider that catches the attention of the Emperor. He gifts her to his favorite concubine, and mother of his only son who is heir to the throne. This is where Yaqian spends the bulk of her life.
I found every part of this book fascinating. I enjoyed seeing life through the eyes of Yaqian. She is a very simple girl who is loyal and a real survivor. She seems to have gone through so much in her life, but always figured out a way to come out on top.
Leanne Yau is a very talented narrator. Her performance was flawless. I can't imagine it being any better.
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher courtesy of Audiobook Blast.
February 7, 2019
I don't know what happened with this book. I was really happy with the beginning: the prose flowed, its tone was light and the main character was cute and fiesty. It was also really fun to learn with the learn about the industry of embroidery set within this particular historical background. Then... we entered the world of court politics of late 19th century China and it just went downhill. The lead gets away with so many things that should have gotten her killed with a second thought; has interactions and relationships way above her station for no good reason. Based on how much I had enjoyed the first part of the book, I tried to wade through it, hoping it would get better, give me some reason to stay on the merry-go-round but no such luck. After the fifth dire situation left me declaring to the air for the fifth time "Really? That was easy." I had to stop. Another reviewer described it as historical fiction gone American romance, which I think is kind of accurate. Its also a weird romanticizing of the time period that I was probably already sensitive to, considering I had just finished a book that similarly romanticized the master/slave relationships of the Deep South.
I did actually have a couple good takeaways: 1) I didn't know the more sordid details behind footbinding or that it was possible for the damage to be reversed and 2) I'm now curious about Empress Cixi. So there's that.
I did actually have a couple good takeaways: 1) I didn't know the more sordid details behind footbinding or that it was possible for the damage to be reversed and 2) I'm now curious about Empress Cixi. So there's that.
September 7, 2017
This was a wonderful presentation of life in the Forbidden City in the late 1800's and into the very early 1900's. The story is told by Yaqian, an embroidery girl from rural China. Yaqian in the only child of her parents in a time when daughters are considered worthless and parents only want sons. Her mother binds her feet and a year latter she is sent to an embroidery school to learn a trade. From there she becomes a servant in the Royal Court and moves to the Forbidden City. Yaqian lives in a very exciting time, but the old saying about living in exciting times being both a blessing and a curse is very true. She has several moments of terror and others of happiness. She becomes the confident of the woman who ruled China for many years and has an illegitimate son by a member of the Royal Family. All while navigating a world of plots and counter plots.
I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.
I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review.
March 11, 2017
Yaqian, a peasant girl in Hunan Province, is horrified when her mother insists on binding her feet, but this brutal and unwanted act leads her away from the farm and into a school for embroidery, an art in which she excels. Yaqian develops a technique for stitching a piece of fabric in such a way that the reverse side looks as beautiful as the front. This skill (and a little chicanery) take her into the Forbidden City and the court of Empress Cixi, where she witnesses and chronicles the last decades of the Qing Dynasty. It sounds like history lite, but Yaqian is so appealing, and her participation in the developing events so intricately woven that I found this fictionalized account both more compelling and more revealing than the memoir I read at the same time.
March 16, 2017
This starts out fairly readable then spirals into something not so pleasant. I read a review which commented on the fact the narrator tells you every single thought in her head and leaves little mystery. I think I agree with this, there's also a mild Mary-Sue feel to the central character and some of her actions don't feel well rounded due to the generally flat characterisation.
In addition my e-book had several horrible errors which is always disappointing.
Not great
In addition my e-book had several horrible errors which is always disappointing.
Not great
April 24, 2017
All Yaqian wanted was to manage the silkworms. She didn't want to have her feet bound and all the other things Chinese girls went through. She decides she will devote her life to her embroidery after having her feet bound. She doesnt want to get married and have kids.She falls for a prince but realises nothing can come of it. She devotes her life to one person. I voluntarily received an advanced advanced copy of this book for for a honest review
January 23, 2018
While this book technically fits the genre, I prefer one that gives more depth to historical events, versus a storyline that happens to coincide with historical events. Otherwise, this was a quick read but wasn't as intellectually fulfilling as I was hoping for.
February 12, 2018
If you are into Chinese History retold in an imaginative way, this is the book for you. Well written with a satisfying storyline.
July 16, 2018
The first half of the book was like a bedside story. Beautifully written and giving the location, for me very interesting. The second half lacked the dynamic, but still enjoyable.
December 20, 2024
I’ve always enjoyed these types of books because I love learning new things about different cultures. I often like seeing the main character from a young age and then seeing how their life unfolds and this genre of book often does this. And this book was no different. - we see her from a child, to a teen, then a young women, etc. We see the customs, expectations, dangers, politics, and family dynamics. However, because I’ve read a lot of books in this era and setting (some fiction, some non fiction) I didn’t find I learnt anything new or find anything surprising, but I did enjoy just going along with her journey. Also, some of it did feel somewhat cliche and contrived, and the language didn’t feel authentic, but it’s exactly what I thought it would be and enjoyed it for that.
August 25, 2019
***** A fascinating, well researched,and well presented story of a girl in China in the nineteenth century who went from worthless girl to Emperor's concubine on the strength of a perspicatious fortune teller and her own talent for intricate silk embroidery. The story drew me in from the beginning of a six year old who loved to run and play among the silkworms, through the torture that was foot binding, and eventually to the Emperor's court in the Forbidden City. The imagery is breathtaking and the characters impeccably done.
Leanne Yau adds much because of her British Empire English and my inability to pronounce the Chinese words.
I entered a giveaway and won this audiobook! I win!
Leanne Yau adds much because of her British Empire English and my inability to pronounce the Chinese words.
I entered a giveaway and won this audiobook! I win!
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