The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo
“Sometimes the things we see do not make sense until many years have gone by. Sometimes it takes generations.”
When I asked for short book recommendations, my underground book club suggested The Empress of Salt and Fortune. This book didn’t disappoint! I had no idea that this author wrote The Chosen and The Beautiful (which I also read and loved).
Two birds, Cleric Chih and Almost Brilliant, are traveling in the Lake Scarlet area when information regarding the reign of Empress In-yo becomes declassified. They meet with Empress In-yo’s former serving girl named Rabbit. Rabbit then proceeds to share her stories of Empress In-yo.
This novella has some fantasy, some strong prose, and it feels non-American, not conforming to the standard American storylines. The Empress of Salt and Fortune delivered beautiful quotes and is a perfect blend of fantasy and women’s literature. It had depth and rich symbolism with strong, smart female characters. This short story had a unique feel, and the author, Vo, has a very diverse and varied vocabulary. There were a few words that had me reaching for my dictionary.
Already, I am looking forward to reading this book again.
Here are some of my favorite quotes.
Do you understand? “I am not sure I do, grandmother, but I listen, and Almost Brilliant will remember.”
Accuracy above all things. You will never remember the great if you do not remember the small.