SON OF HEAVEN

The author of Two Years in the Forbidden City and several other books, tells here the story of the ill-fated Chinese Emperor, Kwang Hsu, tool in the hands of the Empress Dowager, whose lady in waiting Princess Der Ling was. Three stories woven into one, -- the story of the relentless empress, cruel, ambitious, brilliant; the story of Kwang Hsu, taken from his parents at the age of four to be placed on a puppet throne, handsome, attractive, diligent as he grew into a realization of his potential power, loving no one save the concubine Pearl, dying at the hand of his aunt; and the story of Kwang and Pearl. The book is fascinating reading, a human document of real depth and power, and a vivid picture of Chinese life and the Chinese character. Could be sold as romanticized biography, and should sell and rent easily.