This anthology presents substantial selections from the work of twenty Manchu women poets of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The poems, inspired by their daily life and reflections, provide fascinating insights into the experiences and emotions of these women, most of whom belonged to the elite families of Manchu society. Each selection is accompanied by biographical material that illuminates the life stories of the poets. The volume’s introduction describes the printing history of the collections from which these poems are drawn, the authors’ practice of poetry writing, ethnic and gender issues, and comparisons with the poetry of women in South China and of male authors of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911).

"This volume is a very welcome addition to the growing body of women’s poetry from late imperial China. Idema’s fine translation makes accessible once again the rich lives, experiences and feelings of poets long forgotten by history."

"Idema presents fine translations of the poetry of nineteen Manchu women in the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) in fourteen chapters, contextualizing each poet and her work by providing vital biographical background. In doing so, Idema offers English readers a fascinating body of materials that invites comparative thinking and discussion on issues of writing, identity, and life experience in relation to gender and ethnicity. . . . The field of women’s literature is much enriched by his wide-ranging scholarship and superb skill in translation."

"Offers new insights into how these women both accommodated and adapted Chinese poetic conventions to their own situation. The translations are sensitively written and reflect the impressionistic nature, emotionality and poignancy that characterize the oeuvre of these women."

"Exhibiting the deft touch of an experienced translator, Idema has rendered these women’s compositions into exquisite yet accessible language. . . . [This anthology] challenges us to confront and rethink many of the preconceived notions and categories that we have used to analyze topics regarding gender and ethnicity, potentially opening the door for new exciting research in these fields."