LADY WU

by Lin Yutang ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 28, 1965

Fortunately the author includes a genealogical table in this historical biography of a brilliant and cruel empress of seventh century China, for it is difficult to keep track of which royal unfortunates have been stabbed, poisoned, hung, and otherwise done in. Beginning as a humble chambermaid to the good Emperor Taitsung, Lady Wu, banished to a convent at his death, manipulated the unsuspecting heir to the throne and his wife into her release, and soon managed the death of the wife and marriage to Gaotsung. Once married to the new emperor, Lady Wu set about gradually assuming power, until Gaotsung just faded away, while his wife made liberal use of poison, false trials, banishments, torture and bloodbaths to wipe out followers of the old emperor and their families. At her husband's death, now fully in control as Empress, the cruel and calculating woman ""relaxed"" in personal excesses, although her political acumen prompted her to acquire men of ability, since her power was secure. However, it was one of these wise men who caused her downfall, and at the last, remnants of the Taitsung family put an end to the tyranny. Although there is more lip-smacking over the methods than reflection on the motivations of a tyrant, the author makes the whole grizzly business plausible. Lurid splatterings from an ancient blood bath.

Pub Date: May 28, 1965

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Putnam

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1965

Categories: FICTION