num_pages: 304
description: From the acclaimed author of Rice and Raise the Red Lantern comes a chilling yet enormously entertaining story about a pampered and naïve fourteen-year-old prince who, after the sudden death of his father, finds himself in the unlikely position of lord and ruler over an entire nation. A boy of few talents and limited interests, he grows drunk on his own power and delights in wielding an iron fist with his subjects. Circumstances soon force him to venture beyond the palace walls, and what he encounters there sets the stage for the events that ultimately shatter the young emperor and his empire.Narrated in retrospect by the ex-sovereign, My Life as Emperor is a mesmerizing tale of cruelty and decadence, of concubines and eunuchs, of lethal sibling rivalries and intrigue. Su Tong’s gift for riveting narrative and stunning prose is on full display here. One of the most celebrated and provocative modern Chinese writers, he has been hailed by critics around the world. Now, for the first time, English-language readers can enjoy this powerful and disturbing novel. My Life as Emperor is not only a fascinating glimpse into the soul of China, it is a timeless story of power and corruption that will be read by generations to come.
language: English
title: My Life as Emperor
titlecomplete: My Life as Emperor
genres: Asian Literature, Fiction, Chinese Literature, China, Politics, Historical, Asia, Historical Fiction, Literature, Cultural
ratings_count: 536
publisher: Hyperion