In this evocative fantasy novella, a young archivist listens to the tales of an elderly woman named Rabbit, who was once a servant to an exiled empress. Through a series of vignettes, the narrative unfolds the empress's cunning and silent accumulation of power in a court that underestimated her. Set in a world inspired by imperial China, the story weaves themes of memory, storytelling, and the subversion of patriarchy, as the archivist uncovers the hidden history of a regime's rise and the role of women who operated from the shadows to shape their destiny. The tale is a testament to the quiet strength and resilience of those who have been marginalized, and the impact of their often-unseen labor on the course of history.

The 10625th greatest book of all time