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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
The Ghost Bride is a magical story of self-discovery, love , family loyalties and otherworldly experiences. Before reading I had this book pegged as a historical, magical realism story. It is all of that and so much more. Yangsze Choo has created an bewitching world full of parallels and clever details. Li Lan's hints of retrospective thoughts about her actions serve to accentuate the feeling of being recited a fairytale.
I was swept away into the world of 19th century Malaya, where Tian Ching's mother and other tai tai hold court. Poorer families, like Li Lan's are often subject to their whims. Li Lan's bravery, and she is definitely brave; despite her tears and trepidation she seeks to fix her situation and help Er Lang to the best of her ability, makes her a very likeable protagonist. My favourite character was undeniably Er Lang. I hope Yangsze writes a sequel, as he is both charming and alluring. I would have liked to read more about him and how he came to suspect the judges as he did.
In her fascinating addendum 'notes from the author' the author explains how she has expanded on and cleverly reinterpreted Chinese mythology about the afterlife. I was surprised to find out the corrupt officials of hell was not a modern reimagining, but one based in much folklore, while the plains of the dead with their paper offerings was something fabricated by the Yangsze herself.
With 4.5 stars, this book has made its way onto my favourites shelf and I will be purchasing a hard copy to treasure!
I was swept away into the world of 19th century Malaya, where Tian Ching's mother and other tai tai hold court. Poorer families, like Li Lan's are often subject to their whims. Li Lan's bravery, and she is definitely brave; despite her tears and trepidation she seeks to fix her situation and help Er Lang to the best of her ability, makes her a very likeable protagonist. My favourite character was undeniably Er Lang. I hope Yangsze writes a sequel, as he is both charming and alluring. I would have liked to read more about him and how he came to suspect the judges as he did.
In her fascinating addendum 'notes from the author' the author explains how she has expanded on and cleverly reinterpreted Chinese mythology about the afterlife. I was surprised to find out the corrupt officials of hell was not a modern reimagining, but one based in much folklore, while the plains of the dead with their paper offerings was something fabricated by the Yangsze herself.
With 4.5 stars, this book has made its way onto my favourites shelf and I will be purchasing a hard copy to treasure!
An enjoyable read on the whole although I don't think it has quite lived up to the hype. It was pleasing to read a fantasy novel that isn't set in a faux medieval European setting. However, I felt the setting was toned down a little too much for Western tastes, especially when compared to the Inspector Chen series by [a:Liz Williams|34828|Liz Williams|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1287950679p2/34828.jpg] or the Chronicles of Master Li by [a:Barry Hughart|9465|Barry Hughart|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/m_50x66-e89fc14c32a41c0eb4298dfafe929b65.png].
The beginning was a little clunky. The main character was meant to be a gently reared young woman who was, in many ways, ignorant even by the standards of her class. However, the story begins with her explaining carefully to the Western reader all the things they would not understand, which was rather jarring. Once she leaves Malacca the story telling improves with more showing and less telling.
One thing I did like right from the start was that Li Lan always did something in response to events. It was not always a sensible, well thought out something but she took action, rather than just weeping and wailing. A likeable heroine.
The ending was in character, if a little bittersweet.
The beginning was a little clunky. The main character was meant to be a gently reared young woman who was, in many ways, ignorant even by the standards of her class. However, the story begins with her explaining carefully to the Western reader all the things they would not understand, which was rather jarring. Once she leaves Malacca the story telling improves with more showing and less telling.
One thing I did like right from the start was that Li Lan always did something in response to events. It was not always a sensible, well thought out something but she took action, rather than just weeping and wailing. A likeable heroine.
The ending was in character, if a little bittersweet.
I had started watching the TV series and then decided to read the book instead. The book is better. If you love Asian supernatural/folklore stories, you will love this. Being from SE Asia, it was a treat to read this. I am adding Night Tiger to my list.
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
The Ghost Bride was a 3.5 star rating for me.
I absolutely loved all the Malaya culture and history embedded in this book. The writing was very immersive and insightful to learn more about Malaya's cultural beliefs about the afterlife.
A Fairytale belief. This was such a unique story and I enjoyed this audiobook. The romance wasn't top notch but I didn't pick this up for that.
I loved the ghost aspect of this story and the 'out of body experience'. This element was very unique and left me wondering, did that just happen?
I loved Yangsze writing throughout this book.
Fairytale
Malaya Culture, religion, beliefs
Atmospheric
Beautiful Writing
I absolutely loved all the Malaya culture and history embedded in this book. The writing was very immersive and insightful to learn more about Malaya's cultural beliefs about the afterlife.
A Fairytale belief. This was such a unique story and I enjoyed this audiobook. The romance wasn't top notch but I didn't pick this up for that.
I loved the ghost aspect of this story and the 'out of body experience'. This element was very unique and left me wondering, did that just happen?
I loved Yangsze writing throughout this book.
Fairytale
Malaya Culture, religion, beliefs
Atmospheric
Beautiful Writing
This book was not what I expected it to be...and because of that I think I enjoyed it a lot more. The Ghost Bride was almost a mix of Spirited Away and Pan's Labyrinth.
Set in the Chinese setting, the book gives a glimpse of the old rituals about life after death. The plots morbidity sets it apart from other magical books but it does paint the picture well for the reader to dramatize it further.
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This took wayyy too long to finish but that's mostly my fault. The pacing was slow in the first half but it picked up later on, to the point where it felt too fast to wrap things up nicely. The unanswered, kind of ambiguous ending is fun, but considering how much expository dialogue there was in the middle of the book, I was miffed to say the least.
I appreciate Li Lan though, as she felt like an engaging character who is also a woman of her time! Previous history-fantasy books I've read tend to make the main character have the mentality of a 21st woman, and like, you can do Strong Female Characters with Progressive Views in other ways- Li Lan is a good example. She's straight up exactly what a good young woman of her time is supposed to be and changes in a way that breaks some of the restrictions facing her, but not all.
The plot also took quite a few turns I was not expecting- this is not in fact a simple story about murder and choosing between two boys (well, sort of.) I can't say I was entirely pleased with how the mystery resolved, since it ended up being the least focussed on and interesting aspect of the story. The highlight is really the writing (unique and evocative), the mythology (interesting and new to me), and the atmosphere (eery and romantic).
Though the execution is a little iffy, this was a unique tale and I'd love to read more like it.
I appreciate Li Lan though, as she felt like an engaging character who is also a woman of her time! Previous history-fantasy books I've read tend to make the main character have the mentality of a 21st woman, and like, you can do Strong Female Characters with Progressive Views in other ways- Li Lan is a good example. She's straight up exactly what a good young woman of her time is supposed to be and changes in a way that breaks some of the restrictions facing her, but not all.
The plot also took quite a few turns I was not expecting- this is not in fact a simple story about murder and choosing between two boys (well, sort of.) I can't say I was entirely pleased with how the mystery resolved, since it ended up being the least focussed on and interesting aspect of the story. The highlight is really the writing (unique and evocative), the mythology (interesting and new to me), and the atmosphere (eery and romantic).
Though the execution is a little iffy, this was a unique tale and I'd love to read more like it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content