The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel

Sexual promiscuity lined the silk pages of this women's life, opium filled the air she breathed, and opulence fed the inner drive of her sole while love escaped the private papers of her story! Yet I cannot help but love the path Eastern Jewel took, envy her strength as a modern woman and weep that in the end she found no love. One could say she was not meant to love or her ambition was in the wrong place, placing all her love in Japan and not in the loyalty of others. But there was such a basic foundation missing in her life that set her on this stage of life. I found myself bending the pages that were filled with such deep reflection and could apply to us all. One passage in particular still seems to haunt me and yet sums up the essence of this complex modern women's life: If Eastern Jewel had been loved by her Japanese step mother, Natsuko or for that fact any member of her family as a child, would her nature have been different? Does a love returned hold you firm like an anchor does a boat in stormy water? You will not agree with her choices very often if at all, you will grow anxious at the series of people she choices to align herself with, and you will her to take the chance to love only to discover her destiny was defined well before she spied on her father Prince Pu in his bedroom. Eastern Jewel knew from the beginning who she was and what she was capable of and history filled its pages with her strength and defeat in the end. Several reviews took this book expecting it to be a chapter in history - I found it to be a great read sprinkled with a little history. Relax everyone it is a book!

Keeping in mind that this is a historical NOVEL, I was somewhat fascinated by the weaving of the little truth known about Eastern Jewel. It might be said that it is difficult to fathom the endless lovers and affairs. If indeed she was sent away from her home and was raped at an early age by her adoptive grandfather, one could make a case for her path in life. I viewed the book based on these premises. Eastern Jewel's dedication to her adoptive country might be explained as it was the only thing she could hold on to with control and loyalty to secure and ground herself. All that aside, I believe Lindley had a unique style in writing this novel as it has very little dialogue, being told from Eastern Jewel's voice throughout. I found the book clever and interesting.

What a fabulous book! I don't know a lot about oriental cultures, and sometimes feel like I'm missing something when I read literature in these settings, but this book managed to not only open a door into EJ's world, but do it in an interesting and engaging way. The history, the setting, even the events all take a back seat to the stunning and exciting life of Eastern Jewel who manages to remain her own woman in a male dominated society racked by war, constantly changing political situations, and difficult family situations. I was shocked by not only some of the situations she found herself in, buy her acceptance and reaction to them. Will be a faithful reader of ANYTHING Maureen Lindley puts out.

Based on a true story, I found myself in awe of this captivating woman's story. The sensuality, the mystery, the excitement, the simplest daily acts were woven together into a colorful tapestry with the bewitching words of the Eastern Jewel as she tells her powerful story. I absolutely loved this book. While reading the first page I knew I'd be reading all day, all night and left wanting more. This is not a book you need to try to "get into" or wait until the 4th or 5th chapter for it to hook you in. The story of the Eastern Jewel tells us about one woman's life many of us would secretly love to live.

This book reads like a soft core adult movie with a plot, which serves as an excuse to introduce the next encounter. There are a myriad variety of characters, each with a sexual appetite which Eastern Jewel must sample. If not sex, then opium. She is not an easy character to like, living only for the moment, hurting people left and right with little regret. The spying is buried somewhere in the plot. I was tempted to put the book down halfway through. It was an endless stream of more of the same, but I am glad I didn't. The final chapter reveals the author's true potential. Maureen Lindley brilliantly crafted a riveting plot twist, drowning the reader in a flood of emotion and thought. I was on the edge of my seat down to the very last sentence. Those who stick with the story will be rewarded. I only wish the author wrote then entire book the way she wrote that last chapter. Were that the case, I would give the book 5 stars. I did not feel the author has a real understanding of Chinese and Japanese culture, as Eastern Jewel's point of reference appears to be decidedly modern Western from very early childhood. Surely, women of more conservative societies do rebel, but they do it from within the confines of what they know. The need to be wild and free the way she wants it is distinctly Western. As such, the author has no need to explain why the need is there, as the Western reader would surely understand. Eastern Jewel is the way she is because she is and always was. How she got there is never explained. Nevertheless, it ended so well, and that is what the readers remember. I will give it 4 stars.