''Imperial Woman'' is a

novel A novel is an extended work of narrative fiction usually written in prose and published as a book. The word derives from the for 'new', 'news', or 'short story (of something new)', itself from the , a singular noun use of the neuter plural of ...

by Pearl S. Buck first published in 1956. ''Imperial Woman'' is a fictionalized biography of

Empress Dowager Cixi Empress Dowager Cixi ( ; 29 November 1835 – 15 November 1908) was a Manchu noblewoman of the Yehe Nara clan who effectively but periodically controlled the Chinese government in the late Qing dynasty as empress dowager and regent for almost 50 ...

(Tzu Hsi in Wade–Giles), who was a concubine of the Xianfeng Emperor and on his death became the ''de facto'' head of the

Qing dynasty The Qing dynasty ( ), officially the Great Qing, was a Manchu-led Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China and an early modern empire in East Asia. The last imperial dynasty in Chinese history, the Qing dynasty was preceded by the ...

until her death in 1908 (before which the novel ends).

Plot Overview

Tzu Hsi is the story of the last Empress in China, born into one of the lowly ranks of the Imperial dynasty. According to custom, she moved to the Forbidden City at the age of seventeen to become one of hundreds of concubines. But her singular beauty and powers of manipulation quickly moved her into the position of Second Consort. Tzu Hsi is feared and hated by many in the court, but adored by the people. The Empress's rise to power (even during her husband's life) parallels the story of China's transition from the ancient to the modern way.

References

1956 American novels Historical novels Novels by Pearl S. Buck Novels set in the Qing dynasty Novels set in the 19th century Novels set in the 20th century Cultural depictions of Empress Dowager Cixi Novels set in Beijing {{1950s-hist-novel-stub