Rated of 5
by Lori L. (La Porte, IN) The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel
In The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel, author Maureen Lindley paints a fascinating portrait of a Chinese princess banished from her home and raised in Japan. Her loyalty to her adopted nation led her to become a spy for them and ultimately to her undoing. What I found interesting about this true story was its portrayal of the changing roles of women in Japan in the years leading up to WWI. Eastern Jewel was raised to be a traditional Japanese woman, whose main role in life was to be pleasing to men. She chose to use her beauty and sexuality, not just to please men, but to manipulate them to her ends. In this way, she was decidedly modern.
Rated of 5
by Heather F. (Tulsa, OK) The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel
While I generally like historical fiction, I found this book confusing and barely believable. It would seem impossible for a young girl of this time and place to become so disenfranchised from family and station and to endure the many and varied sexual and other adventures. The author did not allow me much empathy or inclusion into her main character.The book was just "a read".
Rated of 5
by Wilhelmina H. (FL) Not sure what the book wanted to be...
This book tries to be many things and falls flat on most of them. The main character is not very likable and while likable isn't a requirement, there isn't much to take away from reading this other than people can be cruel and use/abuse others to their own advantage. Certainly would spark discussion in a book group if the sexual content doesn't offend.
Rated of 5
by Diane D. (Cape Elizabeth, ME) Good story, but not great
I enjoyed the book and was definitely compelled to finish it. Although I found it an interesting reflection of the Asian culture and what it was like in the early 1900's, I couldn't help but feel that the author fell a bit short compared to a Lisa See book or Memoirs of a Geisha.
Rated of 5
by Marsha S. (Nags Head, NC) The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel
The book opens with an account of Eastern Jewel, a Manchu princess, caught spying on her father having sexual relations with a young girl, after which she is sent away from her home to be raised in Japan. The story of her life from that point, told in the first-person, gave me the voyeuristic feeling of reading someone's secret diary - guilty, but I could not stop reading it. I enjoyed the way the author managed to bring a richly imagined life to an historical figure by revealing her innermost thoughts and feelings. The book contains a thoughtful reading guide and suggested related reading.
Rated of 5
by Betsey V. (Austin, TX) An internal journey
This is very much a psychological exploration of a woman who is both formidable and vulnerable. Eastern Jewel's sense of loss and abandonment is acutely felt. There is much pathos in this Princess of moral ambiguity who is determined to do more than survive. In a world where men reign and woman are second-class citizens, she vows to live a liberated, independent life. The prose is sensuous and lyrical and compelling. A page-turner.
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of 5
by Lori L. (La Porte, IN) 
of 5
by Heather F. (Tulsa, OK) 
of 5
by Wilhelmina H. (FL) 
