"From the author of Rice and Raise the Red Lantern comes a story about a pampered and naive fourteen-year-old prince who, after the sudden death of his father, finds himself in the unlikely position of lord and ruler over an entire nation. A boy of few talents and limited interests, he grows drunk on his own power and delights in wielding an iron fist with his subjects. Circumstances soon force him to venture beyond the palace walls, and what he encounters there sets the stage for the events that ultimately shatter the young emperor and his empire." "Narrated in retrospect by the ex-sovereign, My Life as Emperor is a tale of cruelty and decadence, of concubines and eunuchs, of lethal sibling rivalries and intrigue. My Life as Emperor is not only a glimpse into the soul of China, it is a story of power and corruption."--BOOK JACKET.

Opening with a child's ascension to the throne of the Xie Empire, Su Tong's latest novel is a historical tour de force. Charting courtly life, he vividly evokes many characters - the concubines, eunuchs, advisers and protectors - but it is the portrait and narration of the tale by the child emperor, a boy of few talents who is suddenly thrust into a position of power, which is most compelling. Constantly facing a threat from the two step-brothers who covet his position, and unsure of the intentions of his mysterious grandmother, Lady Huangfu, his rule is characterised by fear, incompetence and his own unchecked cruelty. Can the child ruler gain a greater understanding of human existence and compassion and stave off the curse that haunts him - or will his rule ultimately be recorded as one of slaughter, decadence and failure? An extraordinary and chilling dramatisation of the dark side of nation-building, Su Tong's latest novel is above all a brilliant exploration of the complexities and failings of human nature.

My own spiritual autobiography

"Thank you so much, Liam, for everything, for coming in my life, for making my life beautiful," Elsa giggled and placed her lips on his. They were just lost in their passionate , and Liam felt something was itching him on the backside of the neck. He broke the and rubbed his hand on the back, he found a needle. His heart skipped a beat, he was losing his consciousness, he found Elsa was losing her sense. He found more than 10 needles on her forearm. "Nooo..." Liam screamed and he was engulfed by the darkness. They have been attacked... ****** "Liam, forget her, she is no more. Try to move on, the throne is waiting for you," Douglass, his father cheerfully patted his back and offered him his throne of the mafia Emperor. "She can't die," Liam muttered. "You checked yourself everything regarding her, it's confirmed," Douglass changed his tone rapidly. "Liam, don't behave like foolish. You already kicked the throne for that girl, now I won't bear your any excuses," Douglass roared and his voiced echoed in the room. "Don't tell me that I need to marry that Katherine for this throne," Liam thought for a while and asked his father. His father left the room without replying him. "I know you are alive, I will find you, Elsa, and for that, I need to be the Emperor..." Liam Douglass Mathews reckoned and got up with the vow of finding her. Join the journey of Elsa D'cruze and Liam Mathews...

Dynes, Encyclopedia of homosexuality, p. 1387, mentions "the homosexual Emperor Wilhelm II..."