Imperial Woman | Pearl S. Buck Historical Novel (1956)

A sweeping historical novel centered on one of the most powerful women in Chinese history.

Imperial Woman by Pearl S. Buck was first published in 1956 and presents a richly imagined fictionalized biography of Empress Dowager Cixi—known within the novel as “Old Buddha”—the formidable concubine who rose to become the de facto ruler of the Qing Dynasty during one of China’s most turbulent eras.

Written by Nobel Prize-winning author Pearl S. Buck, the novel blends political intrigue, palace life, personal ambition, and cultural transformation into an accessible narrative that introduced many Western readers to late imperial China. Drawing upon Buck’s lifelong familiarity with Chinese culture and society, Imperial Woman remains one of her most recognized historical novels and reflects her enduring fascination with East-West understanding.

This orange cloth hardcover example is a 1956 Book Club Edition published by The John Day Company of New York. The book retains part of its original dust jacket, including the dramatic front panel artwork and flap text, though approximately half of the jacket is missing. The binding remains secure, pages clean, and the book presents in very good condition overall with moderate wear consistent with age and handling.

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