Customer Reviews

The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(15)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

In `The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel' Maureen Lindley has managed to take the life of a real Chinese-princess-turned-Japanese-spy and turned it into a tawdry jumble of sexual escapades and self-centered whining. To take a life as interesting as Eastern Jewel's and render it into little more than a celebration of Oriental exoticism is disappointing, to say the least.
The first major problem is Lindley's narrative doesn't quite ring with authenticity. Her descriptions of people and places have a strange detachment; objects and clothing might be detailed exquisitely but people and their personalities come across as flat and two-dimensional. I feel like there were very few attempts to understand the Chinese, Mongolian and Japanese cultures, and really bring them to life in the novel. Instead, Asia serves an exotic background that enables the author to unleash one sexual fantasy after another.
Eastern Jewel, later called Yoshiko in Japan, is too modern and too European in her ideas, so that one has to wonder how this personality would come about if she was raised first in a Chinese palace and later in a lax-but-still-thoroughly-Japanese household. She doesn't make sense in her settings and surroundings. She insists from the very first page that she is unique, an individual, an outsider, and different from other women. This book, supposedly a memoir she wrote while jailed for spying, has Eastern Jewel showing off her "worldliness" and sense of style, and it comes off as both arrogant and annoying. For example, as she speaks of servant:
"Every day I sent her to the market for fresh flowers, as I hated to see even the smallest sign of decay on the lilies and the sprays of orange blossom that I favoured. I cared nothing for the extravagance and in any case I think that Miura sold on the day-old flowers to the nearby hotel that rented its rooms by the hour. As far as I was concerned she was welcome to the few coins she made from the transactions. I have always thought it a good policy to be a generous mistress. Envy and deprivation are the enemies of loyalty, after all."
I don't know. To me she comes off as picky, spoiled, and utterly obnoxious to be around. It's really hard to get into a character who thinks she is so wonderful and wise, and also refuses to see any flaws in her approach to life. If I can't warm up to the character, and the plot has been shoved so far behind the main character's personality that it barely appears...well, I just can't enjoy the book.

This is very much a psychological exploration of a woman who is both formidable and vulnerable. I felt acutely Eastern Jewel's sense of loss and abandonment and her combination of tenacity and impotence.

I see that the reviews for this book are generally unfavorable, but I think I know why. The blurbs for this novel indicate that it is an historical epic about a Manchu Princess who was also a spy. This is true, but also misleading. The author's approach is very internal and tightly focused--I am not surprised that author Maureen Lindley was trained as a psychotherapist. The character of Eastern Jewel is viewed through her psyche. It is very much a character exploration through a personal and Freudian lens. When Eastern Jewel is banished from her own home in Peking as a child for spying on her father's sexual congress with a young girl, the seeds for her loss of identity are planted. She is sent to Japan, which becomes her beloved adopted country. She is then removed from Japan and sent to the harsh, frozen climate of Mongolia to marry a man against her will. By this time, she has already been forced to fornicate with an old man and her adoptive father in Japan, who is both brutal and sadistic. However, she learns to appreciate it, and to enjoy the power of her sexuality. Through sex, Eastern Jewel discovers her capacity to manipulate men in order to navigate through an otherwise circumscribed life.

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 and achieve a sense of personal identity. Additionally, her contradictory feelings toward the mother figures in her life are both heartbreaking and tender. She is a very complex woman with a passionate, vital nature. The erotic scenes in this story are not pulpy and vulgar--it is not a bodice ripper. Rather, her sexuality is her survival.

The prose is sensuous and lyrical and never disingenuous. The fluidity of the narrative keeps the pages turning and the story compelling. This novel is not for everyone. It is not a detailed historical epic of many lives and it is decidedly not similar to Memoirs of a Geisha: A Novel. Rather, it is a profile of one rebellious woman's inner journey to survive and ultimately thrive by using her sexuality and her skill of spying to eclipse the constraints of her life.

Sexually repressed Westerners have a long tradition of imposing their fantasies on the East. To those who have not spent time there, the Asian countries are seen as a magical land, one of drifting clouds of opium smoke and smooth red and blue silks covering smoother skin, a land where everything is permissible and the darkest, forbidden desires can be acted out with abandon.

It was this same fantasy that caused Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres to paint his famous circular portrait of the harem of the Turkish Baths, a sight he had never seen and in truth lived only in his imagination. The technical term for this, as supplied by Edward Said, is Orientalism.

Maureen Lindley's first novel "The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel" is dripping with Orientalism. Although claming to be based on the story of an actual historical figure, Aisin Gioro Xianyu AKA Kawashima Yoshiko AKA Dongzhen which translates into English as "Eastern Jewel," Lindley's versions of China and Japan are as much a fantasyland as Narnia and Middle-Earth.

Many Western authors of Asian-themed titles tout their credentials in the author's biography, their expertise in Asian cultures and time spent living there. Lindley is simply listed as "Born in England and raised in Scotland," currently living in Wales. More tellingly still, in her acknowledgments section there are few if any Asian names (A single person named "Lee" is the only possibility), showing that "The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel" is merely a British woman's fantasy of a lifestyle and location she has never really known. Lindley admits she was first inspired to write about Kawashima during a brief glimpse of her in the Bernardo Bertolucci directed The Last Emperor.

It is really too bad, because Kawashima Yoshiko was a fascinating character who deserves better. Adopted from her royal Chinese family at a young age, she was raped by her step-father and then, after a failed suicide attempt, began wearing men's clothing. A failed marriage to a Mongolian General's son ended in divorce after two years, after which she was recruited as a spy and propaganda agent for the Japanese. At one point, Kawashima was head of a cavalry of 5,000 reformed bandits, and lead charges against the Chinese insurgents gaining her the title of "Japan's Joan of Arc." As a champion of the Japanese military government, Kawashima was a villain to be sure, one who caused the deaths and downfall of many innocents in the name of Japanese ethnic cleansing and superiority, but she was an interesting villain to say the least.

But all of this real-life drama was apparently not enough for Lindley, who cast Kawashima in the role of sexual adventurer, whose life is not defined by her accomplishments but by the long list of her lovers and
the sensual nature of her clothes and lifestyle. "The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel" is pure housewife fantasy, almost a faux Asian version of Erica Jong's Fear of Flying, but with none of that books importance or impact. Lindley entirely fails to breathe life into any of her characters, who are mere one-dimensional stereotypes whose names are quickly forgotten. Anytime a male character is introduced by name, a sex scene soon follows.

But even the sex scenes are too tame. Perhaps if Lindley had gone the distance and just written full-blown erotica, there would have been some excitement and pulse-pounding. But this is all euphemistic soft-core, with "snakes playing in caves" and other silly turns of phrases. Lindley's preferences are on display as well, as the male-male couplings and male-female couplings occupy several paragraphs while the single female-female tryst is barely commented on and then only in a perfunctory and obligatory manner. (All of the sex scenes do make for some incidental humor, however. While they take up a large percentage of the book, actual important scenes in Kawashima's life, such as when she became the head of the China Gold Mining Association merits only half a sentence, and is then barely mentioned again.)

I could go on about this, as Lindley has written plenty to dislike here. Her writing style leaves a lot to be desired, and there are so many "I" statements (I went to..I wore...I saw..) that each use of the word "I" becomes like a little needle poking you in the head. But there are some little redemptions, so scenes that work and some imagery that is effective. The final paragraph in particular is striking, almost as if it was written by a different author.

Readers who enjoy Oriental romance might enjoy "The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel." If all you are looking for is to be seduced by the fantasy of a world that never existed, one where you can smoke opium all day without becoming an addict, where the money never stops flowing and around every corner is a new book-cover man, perhaps a rough American journalist or a stern but understanding Japanese military captain, then this just might be the book for you. If you liked that other popular slice of Orientalism, Memoirs of a Geisha, but thought it needed a whole lot more sex and some guy-on-guy action, then this book should be right up your alley.

If you are looking to learn more about the real-life Kawashima Yoshiko, I recommend Japan's Imperial Conspiracy. It is not the sensual pleasure palace you will find in Lindley's book, but real life never pleases in quite the same way as fantasy.

i don't know what to make of this book - it attempts to fit many genres (erotica, historical fiction, romance, etc) and fails miserably at all of them. this is the exact opposite of Memoirs of a Geisha(which is the book you should be reading if you want something in the aforementioned genres).

"eastern jewel" reads like a nancy drew novel set in the early 19th century that blatantly tries (and fails) to use a cultural backdrop to add depth to an insipidly weak story. i say nancy drew because it tries to evoke a feeling of suspense and excitement in an extremely juvenile manner. i don't want to insult nancy drew fans, because that series is much more interesting that this book, and way less torturous to read!

the book jacket is probably the most sophisticated part of the book. some other reviewers thought there was too much sex, but i couldn't even be offended by it because it was so badly written. almost every sentence starts with "I". "I looked at his snake", "I took his snake into my pit", "I talked to natsuko afterwards". well, *I* almost broke out laughing! the worst part was that a different sex scenario is presented just about every 2 pages, to give you an idea of how much plot/character development happens (almost zero) and how much the author draws the reader into the excitement (she doesn't).

it was almost painful to read this book, after page 20 i kept flipping ahead and wondering, does this story actually go anywhere?? it didn't.

The character of Eastern Jewel has intrigued me ever since she flashed across the screen to seduce and corrupt Pu Yi's Empress Wan Rong (or Wan Jong as she is called in the novel). Who was she? What motivated a Chinese princess to throw in her lot with the Japanese? Was it love, as the extremely spare movie background suggests?

In "The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel," first-time author Maureen Lindley attempts to answer these questions. This contains the raw material for a truly sparkling novel: a contentious and difficult time in history, an (to Western eyes) exotic locale and society, money, intrigue, power, corruption, all through the eyes of a woman who had significant impact on the action.

The novel, however, simply doesn't deliver. Eastern Jewel comes across, for the most part, as a cold, unsympathetic, narcissistic sociopath, interested only in money, sex, possessions and power. A greater part of the novel is devoted to her sexual exploits, but the majority of them aren't even well-written and don't do all that much to move the story along. Yes, yes, we get it, that Eastern Jewel is gorgeous, sexy, captivating, scintillating, and a rebel - that much was clear fifty pages in. Can we move along now? (It also should be noted that this book isn't marketed as erotica, either) She's only interested in the surroundings as they relate to her. She's only interested in people as they relate to her. Any additional information is conveyed in a cold, intellectual tone that may attempt to evoke Asian literature, but, in this case, renders the prose curiously flat.

The real reason that the novel fails, though, is that Eastern Jewel failed to engage me, therefore her opinions, descriptions, or even, her eventual fate, only evoked intellectual interest, not sympathy. Very little character development occurs, and, when it does, it seems to be "too little, too late." When writing a narrative novel, it's critical that the central character be inspiring enough to keep the story moving and the reader involved. Eastern Jewel didn't successfully do that, so finishing this book was a chore, at least for me.

Two stars for an intriguing concept and historical accuracy. I'd definitely like to read more about Eastern Jewel, but doubt that I'll be seeking other works by Ms. Lindley, unless her writing style improves quite a bit.

If this had been written as purely a novel in a pseudo-Oriental style, it would have been better - maybe. In writing it as "based on fact", though, the author produced a dud.

Not all historical figures have well documented lives. Any attempt to portray them must make some educated guesses to fill in the blanks. But, those guesses have to be the result of some pretty exhaustive research. There's no evidence that Lindley did her homework.

While the writing was technically good, the result was pretty blah. Parts that could have been realistically expanded weren't and parts that didn't add to the story were stretched way too far.

Though not the worst book I've read recently, it won't ever be pulled off the shelf to be read again. Give this one a pass.

Eastern Jewel is a Chinese princess who is born towards the beginning of the twentieth century. Unmanageable from a young age, she is sent to live with an "adoptive family," in Japan, where she is renamed Yoshiko and abused by her new family. Yoshiko loves her new country desperately, and when war breaks out she is prepared to do anything to assist her new nation in its fight against her old. This spy story takes a back seat, however, to the author's primary focus - the fact that Eastern Jewel is a "partying princess." Apparently from her jail cell Eastern Jewel cannot manage more introspection than to recall who she slept with and when.

This book is written as though Eastern Jewel left behind a cache of writings that she penned from her jail cell, reflecting on her tumultuous life. I have read novels stemming from this premise in the past, and have often seen them have good results. To achieve this, however, the author must throw him or herself into the time period and lifestyle of their subject. Unfortunately, I do not get this impression when reading about Eastern Jewel. She remains just as elusive as ever, and I know no more about her than when I started this tome except that she had sex - a lot. By the time she makes the "revelation" that she is a sex addict, believe me, it will come as no surprise to you whatsoever. Important life events, such as being made president of the China Gold Mining Company as barely mentioned, just enough to make the reader say, "wait, what? that seems like it would be relevant." I would think that a convicted spy would have something a little more interesting to say.

There was a possibility of learning about various aspects of Chinese and Japanese culture in this book but the author went the way of soft porn instead. It is hard to believe any child could be as perverted as this child and live the life she did and still survive to a fair age in the days before antibiotics. This added a layer of fantasy to the overall porn.

The main character is beautiful but totally cold and selfish. She has no interest in anyone but herself and her wishes. And her wishes are not for a quiet family life - anything but that. She uses people as if they are tissues, to be used and discarded. This makes the book less interesting as the reader doesn't really get involved with the main character.

Definitely not a book for a child/teen to come near. Most adults would also find it objectionable. This was definitely not the book I was expecting.

I approached this novel as a fictionalized account of an Asian female spy in the first half of the twentieth century. Had I known it was erotica, my opinion would be quite different. From the first page, Eastern Jewel's preoccupation with sex is apparent. I have no issue with sex in fiction or erotica, but the manner in which this book is written is a turn-off. Not only is 90% of the book devoted to the sexual escapades of Eastern Jewel and the various people with which she comes into contact, but there is no real, concrete explanation for her character. Also, despite the Japanese and Chinese feel of the narrative, I was ultimately left unconvinced that the characters Lindley introduces into the book were ever real or if it truly represented the culture of these two countries. A brief look at the entry for Eastern Jewel in wikipedia shows that her life has long been obscured by legend and hype, even when she was alive, and I can't help but feel Lindley has only reconstructed the fiction of this woman's admittedly extraordinary life rather than utilizing this platform to delve deeper beyond the myth. What makes this book even more disappointing is that I found myself referring to non-fiction works devoted to this time period to understand what was happening in Eastern Jewel's life. One cannot deny the campy entertainment value of this book, but if you're looking for fictionalized biography, or even a work of erotic suspense in the vein of "Lust, Caution," The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel falls alarmingly short.

In Eastern Jewel, Lindley attempts to take the true story of a Chinese princess who became a spy for Japan and flesh it out to show the person behind the story. Unfortunately, this book only partially succeeds. Quite honestly, Lindley seems to have had a good outline, but should have had someone else write the book for her. The details are good, the research seems to be quite thorough - but the overall effect is one that leaves a lot to be desired.

As I was reading the book, I kept getting incredibly frustrated by the writing. I prefer the type of book that trusts the reader - allowing them to draw their own conclusions without feeling the need to lead them by the nose. This is NOT that type of book. In fact, not only did I feel that there was too much said, but in many cases, it was even said repeatedly.

I really wanted to like this book - I find history fascinating, particularly when it involves a character who has been demonized, many times unjustly. Throw in some good intrigue, make the main character a female spy (incredibly rare for the times), and it should be an easy hook. And while the plot was interesting, I just could not lose myself within the story - frustration kept setting in with the writing. I had a hard time not setting the book down and moving on to something else.

Some may like the writing style - I did not. I commend Ms. Lindley for her attempts to show another side of this woman who has disappeared into the depths of history. She has apparently done her research quite well. I hope that maybe others will see a quality that maybe I did not.