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A review by misspalah
Growing up with Ghosts by Bernice Chauly
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.0
I am Punjabi, a sardarni of the Khalsa. Of the pure, from the tenets sprung from the loins of Guru Nanak. From the plains of the Punjab, and the wheat fields of Amritsar. I am Chinese, from the port city of Canton, from Fatshan, from Lam Soy Chea, from the village of fishermen and of joss stick makers. I had two childhoods. A childhood with my father and a childhood with my mother. This is a love story, of how my parents found each other. This is a life story, of how I found them and how I found myself. I grew up with ghosts. I grew up with the dead, and the voices that resonate. I grew up with myth. I grew up with grief, and its untold stories. In Ipoh, in the heart of the Kinta Valley, in the light of pre-war shophouses, cloth merchants and food. Of pigs, of slaughter, of tears. I grew up in Penang, in my grandfather Bapuji's house. Of snakes, and the Granth Sahib. Of my grandfather's typewriter and his white turban. I speak from five voices and I speak from my own. These are our stories.
- Growing up with Ghosts by Bernice Chauly
.
The book is split into six parts: The first part talks about the author's grandfather's and grandmother's backgrounds and where they came from. The second and third parts tell the story of the author's parents – their childhoods, how they met, and fell in love. Even though both families were against their relationship and the author’s mother was hesitant at first, they got married. They settled in Kelantan, where the author and her siblings were born. In the fourth part, the author shares how her father’s death changed her sense of identity. She felt disconnected from her Indian heritage and was raised to identify only as Chinese. In the fifth part, the author decides to learn more about her roots, especially her father's family. She collects everything she can find, like letters, conversations with relatives, and recipes from her grandparents. The final part describes the author's trip back to Punjab, India, where she seeks to lift a curse affecting her father's family. She visits relatives and tries to understand her grandfather’s land and her identity. I think I summarized the book well but noticed some issues. While I appreciate the letters and journals included, I believe they would work better as an appendix rather than being part of the main content. Reading from the author's point of view could have provided deeper insights. However, the book still succeeds because it includes bits of history, genealogy research, and old photos that add authenticity. Although the book might seem long to some, it covers four generations, three countries, and two races, so the length makes sense. Overall, it’s a great memoir, with just a few minor issues I mentioned earlier. I definitely recommend it!
- Growing up with Ghosts by Bernice Chauly
.
The book is split into six parts: The first part talks about the author's grandfather's and grandmother's backgrounds and where they came from. The second and third parts tell the story of the author's parents – their childhoods, how they met, and fell in love. Even though both families were against their relationship and the author’s mother was hesitant at first, they got married. They settled in Kelantan, where the author and her siblings were born. In the fourth part, the author shares how her father’s death changed her sense of identity. She felt disconnected from her Indian heritage and was raised to identify only as Chinese. In the fifth part, the author decides to learn more about her roots, especially her father's family. She collects everything she can find, like letters, conversations with relatives, and recipes from her grandparents. The final part describes the author's trip back to Punjab, India, where she seeks to lift a curse affecting her father's family. She visits relatives and tries to understand her grandfather’s land and her identity. I think I summarized the book well but noticed some issues. While I appreciate the letters and journals included, I believe they would work better as an appendix rather than being part of the main content. Reading from the author's point of view could have provided deeper insights. However, the book still succeeds because it includes bits of history, genealogy research, and old photos that add authenticity. Although the book might seem long to some, it covers four generations, three countries, and two races, so the length makes sense. Overall, it’s a great memoir, with just a few minor issues I mentioned earlier. I definitely recommend it!