My Splendid Concubine [Kindle Edition]

Lloyd Lofthouse (Author)

Book Description

Robert Hart (1835 - 1911) was the 'Godfather of China's modernism' and the only foreigner the emperor of China trusted. In fact, Hart played a crucial role in ending the bloodiest rebellion in history--the Taiping Rebellion--and he owes this success largely to Ayaou, his live-in dictionary and encyclopedia, his Chinese concubine.

About a year after arriving in China in 1854, Robert Hart falls in love with Ayaou, but his feelings for her sister go against the teachings of his Wesleyan-Christian upbringing and almost breaks him emotionally. To survive he must learn how to live and think like the Chinese and soon finds himself thrust into China's Opium War, where he makes enemies of men such as the American soldier of fortune known as the Devil Soldier.

First came "My Splendid Concubine" December 2007; then came the sequel
"Our Hart, Elegy for a Concubine" in 2010. Both novels have now been
combined as one in "My Splendid Concubine's" 3rd edition.

* Warning: The first-half of this novel contains graphic-sexual content that reflects Robert Hart's lifestyle while attending college and during his early years in China that may be considered soft-porn and offensive to some readers. If you think you might be offended, please do not buy and read this novel.

Editorial Reviews

Review

- PRAISE FOR -
My Splendid Concubine
- 3rd edition -
(formerly The Concubine Saga)
 
Honorable Mentions in General Fiction
2012 San Francisco Book Festival
2012 New York Book Festival
2012 London Book Festival
 
"Drawing on heavily researched passages with great dramatization, The Concubine Saga is a strong pick for historical fiction collections, highly recommended." - The Midwest Book Review, July 2012
 
Our Hart, Elegy for a Concubine, the sequel to
2nd edition of My Splendid Concubine
 
"Our Hart is a unique and entertaining read, recommended."
- Midwest Book Review, April 2010
 
"Fine and tightly controlled Novel" - Historical Fiction Society, May 2010
 
"Political intrigue and matters of the heart are both fully explored. ... readers who enjoy vicariously experiencing other times and cultures will find Our Hart a fascinating journey." - Commentary of a Writer's Digest judge, April 2011
 
2nd edition of My Splendid Concubine
"A powerful novel whose beauty exceeds that of the book's cover."
- Commentary of Writer's Digest judge, April 2009
 
1st edition of My Splendid Concubine
 
"Packed cover to cover with intriguing characters and plot, a must read for history fans and a fine addition to any collection on the genre." - Midwest Book Review, May 8, 2008
 
"A stunning work that enmeshes imperialism, modernity, miscegenation and plain old desire in a sweaty matrix of destruction and painful birth." - City Weekend Magazine, May 8, 2008
 
"Those who are interested in unconventional romances with an out-of-the ordinary setting will find plenty to enjoy." - Historical Novel Society, May 2008

About the Author

Lloyd Lofthouse was first introduced to Robert Hart's journals and letters in 1999, and that led to a decade long journey of discovery. After several trips to China to learn more about Sir Robert Hart's hidden love story, he returned to the United States and spent several years writing My Splendid Concubine.

Product Details

• File Size: 1034 KB
• Print Length: 641 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0986032840
• Publisher: Three Clover Press; 3rd edition edition (April 1, 2013)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00578UNLG
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,538 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Concubine Saga June 18, 2012

By Kathleen Kelly

Format:Kindle Edition

The Concubine Saga is a fictional of account of a real person, Robert Hart. He was was a British consular official in China, who served as the second Inspector General of China's Imperial Maritime Custom Service from 1863 to 1911. He was born in Ireland but left in disgrace as a young man. He evidently was a very sexual young man and was unable to control his desires, according to his religious upbringing he went to China after he was awarded the position of student interpreter in the China consular service. Not long after he arrived he met the woman, Ayaou who was to become his concubine and with whom he would have three children. According to this story he also had Ayaou's sister come into the household as he didn't want her to be sold to cruel people and he had feelings for her also even though he was in love with Ayaou. Because of Robert's ability to handle delicate negotiations with the Chinese, he was able to move up the ranks to become a respectable and trusted man in China. In his personal life he was still at odds with his religion and his lifestyle as having concubines was not accepted in polite society.

To further his understanding of the Chinese he learned "how to think like a Chinese" and learn all that he could learn about his adopted country and their customs and languages. This all helped him and because of his diplomatic skills he was able to work effectively with the Chinese and be the go between, if you will, for China and China's trading deals with other countries such as America, France and Germany. He was also very instrumental in establishing custom houses, railroads and various other programs to aid the Chinese. Because of his communication skills, patience, good judgement and good relations with the Chinese he earned himself the nickname of "our Hart".

When I started reading this story I was a little intimidated as, one: I had never heard of Sir Robert Hart and two: I knew very little about China. The author's depiction of Hart's life in China and with his relationships with Ayaou and her sister was told in descriptive detail and such beauty of the Chinese culture that I did not want it the story to end. A very well written and impeccably researched story that I highly recommend to the historical fiction fan. A lot of history but not written like a history book. This book does have a lot of sexual content in it but told in a very tasteful way. I really enjoyed this book.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Rendering of Chinese Culture~Gorgeous Love Story! June 5, 2012

By D. Previte

Format:Kindle Edition

Mr. Lofthouse is a brilliant author who makes China come alive to the reader. I was simply swept away through the eyes of Robert Hart as he experienced all the nuances of China and its people and customs for the first time.

The romance of Robert and Ayaou is gorgeously written in all aspects. Just a beautiful rendering of an epic love story. There is passion between them, as well as between her sister/concubine and Robert. Two women in one house...the Chinese symbol for trouble! The erotic elements are handled with delicacy, and are quite enjoyable to read, adding a depth to his exploration of the concubine's role in China.

And I found myself wanting to carry this book around with me to sneak another page of reading in wherever I could...it's that engaging.

Lofthouse has a firm grasp on characterization. His studies of people, relationships and their actions and reactions are so in perfect pitch that there can be no question they existed. They feel alive. I fell in love with several of them. It was difficult when the novel ended.

This is a book for those who love reading about the Orient, but it's also for those who simply love a good historical fiction novel. It's lush in details of Chinese culture. It's a wonderful read. Like the beautifully stitched quilt on the book's cover, this novel is delicately woven and created using choice selections of all sorts. It will keep you wanting more from the author...not wanting the book to end.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars My Splendid Concubine May 11, 2013

By Sandra Z

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I would have liked the historical part to be more accurate. I enjoyed learning about the differences in Chinese cultures.

More About the Author

Little did Lloyd Lofthouse know in 1999, when he married Anchee Min, that he was beginning a journey of discovery. His first trip to The Middle Kingdom was on the honeymoon with his bride, who introduced him to China and Robert Hart (1835-1911), the main characters in Lloyd's first two novels, My Splendid Concubine and Our Hart. The next decade was a journey of discovery. Lloyd now lives near San Francisco with his wife--with a second home in Shanghai, China.

Lloyd earned a BA in journalism in 1973 after fighting in Vietnam as a U.S. Marine. While working days as an English teacher, he enjoyed a second job as a maitre d' in a multimillion-dollar nightclub. His short story, A Night at the 'Well of Purity' was named as a finalist for the 2007 Chicago Literary Awards.