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A review by 100pagesaday
Tales of Ming Courtesans by Alice Poon
3.0
When Jingjing finds a memoir written by her mother, she discovers that the world her mother, Rushi and Aunts Yuanyuan and Xiangjun grew up in was cruel and traumatizing. All three women were sold as children to thin horse breeders, or slave traders. They were taught music, art, dance and poetry in order to entertain men who would pay for their company. The women were now objects to be bought and traded as men saw fit. Their lives take many twists and turns, but the sisterhood that they forged with matching kerchiefs helps them through.
Tales of Ming Courtesans is a heartfelt and uplifting memoir style account of the role and treatment of women in 17th Century China. Liu Rushi, Chen Yuanyuan and Li Xiangjun were all real women who were concubines at this time. I was moved by their stories of constant struggle yet determination. Each woman was considered as property and were used by men in different ways, to settle debt, for pleasure or even to hold hostage in exchange for political favor. I was constantly amazed by their perseverance and constant struggle to raise their station. I enjoyed learning about the accomplishments of these women, despite abuse and slavery Rushi excelled at painting and poetry, Yuanyuan played a role in Ming General Wu Sangui's decision to defect to the Qing, Xianjun excelled at the pipa gaining the attentions of Hou Fangyu beginning one of the greatest romances in Chinese History. Tales of Ming Courtesans presents an almost overwhelming amount of information of the lives of these three women. The memoir style of writing was a little rambling for me, often losing my interest for short periods of time before picking up again. There were also large jumps in time. Overall, an insightful and honest look at Ming Dynasty Courtesans.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Tales of Ming Courtesans is a heartfelt and uplifting memoir style account of the role and treatment of women in 17th Century China. Liu Rushi, Chen Yuanyuan and Li Xiangjun were all real women who were concubines at this time. I was moved by their stories of constant struggle yet determination. Each woman was considered as property and were used by men in different ways, to settle debt, for pleasure or even to hold hostage in exchange for political favor. I was constantly amazed by their perseverance and constant struggle to raise their station. I enjoyed learning about the accomplishments of these women, despite abuse and slavery Rushi excelled at painting and poetry, Yuanyuan played a role in Ming General Wu Sangui's decision to defect to the Qing, Xianjun excelled at the pipa gaining the attentions of Hou Fangyu beginning one of the greatest romances in Chinese History. Tales of Ming Courtesans presents an almost overwhelming amount of information of the lives of these three women. The memoir style of writing was a little rambling for me, often losing my interest for short periods of time before picking up again. There were also large jumps in time. Overall, an insightful and honest look at Ming Dynasty Courtesans.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.