The Fourth Princess, Janie Chang (Review by Kristin Kurek)
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Are you looking for a stunning novel imbued with Chinese culture, female resilience, Gothic atmosphere, and a ghost? This is the book for you!
The Fourth Princess by Janie Chang is a gothic novel that takes place in 1911 Shanghai, China. Lisan was found as an orphan and taken in by a guardian. Though she was given a good education, she does not have the family or genealogy to be successful. She takes a job as a social secretary for Caroline Stanton, a wealthy American woman who has just arrived in Shanghai. They live in a mansion which has fallen into disrepair after the previous owner committed suicide. While living there, Lisan begins to have visions of a woman in red. Who is she? Meanwhile, Caroline and Lisan collaborate to throw a party to welcome the Stanton’s to Shanghai society. The party is attended by two people who claim to know secrets that threaten Caroline and Lisan’s lives as they know it. Neither is who they say they are.
The Fourth Princess was fascinating in its description of China in the 1910’s. Prior to reading this novel, I was completely ignorant about the Boxer Rebellion or the Chinese Revolution of 1911. So, obviously, I dove head-first into a research rabbit hole. My favorite aspect was learning about traditional Chinese mythology and cultural beliefs. The lack of fengshui caused strife with the Manor’s household staff which was an education AND conveyed a deep sense of dread to the reader. The writing beautifully conveys the environment. I could easily visualize the color of the jade, the cool texture of the silk, and the smell of the jasmine. This book was an entire experience!
Ultimately, The Fourth Princess makes clear that the strife of women desiring to operate with independence transcends race, location, culture, and time period. I was enthralled with Lisan and Caroline and their quests for autonomy. Read this one, historical fiction or gothic fiction lovers!