Around the World in 80 Books discussion

Start discussion here for The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo.

Thank you for selecting this book. I've posted my review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Certain books make us travel to other realities, other times and other cultures. They are made special by their peculiar stories. Making us literally enter the narrative. And sometimes the best literary experiences come from unexpected places.

In "The Ghost Bride" we embark on Li Lan's journey, haunted by the spirit of a wealthy young man, who demands to make her his wife, she is forced to find answers in the spirit world. Throughout the narration we are witnesses of different values, ways of thinking, family intrigues. We entered in an Malaysia exposed to various dangers and legends.

Sara wrote: "Certain books make us travel to other realities, other times and other cultures. They are made special by their peculiar stories. Making us literally enter the narrative. And sometimes the best lit..."

I haven't finished reading this book yet, (halfway) but appreciated your review as being very much how I am finding the book.
So much is unexpected and, at times, I think I might be no longer interested. I think because the book is not the usual suspense, mystery page turner that I usually read. But the book continues to surprise with, as you say, the different values & ways of thinking and how it draws on culture and legend of Malaysia and Chinese people there.

Lisa wrote: "Sara wrote: "Certain books make us travel to other realities, other times and other cultures. They are made special by their peculiar stories. Making us literally enter the narrative. And sometimes..."

I glad you think that way. It is great when books suprise us. I hope you enjoy the end of the book. Good weekeen!

Thanks for the book suggestion. I really enjoyed it, especially enjoyed the setting and absorbing the history and culture.
I agree a lot A.K.
Kulshreshth's review that the story could get a little slow and weak at times. Characters and plots not fully flushed out, almost like the paper cutouts of creatures sent to the afterlife, and the end perhaps a bit abrupt, but yes, thank you Sarah Jesus, I did enjoy. Overall it was a beautiful evocative read. I enjoyed learning more of the culture of this country and the time period.
I did feel the ending left things open for a sequel and felt at the time disappointed to not learn what was around the next bend for Li Lan and potential that the future life would be very interesting. I was surprised then to read that this story has become a series on Netflix. If course I'll have to check this out and see how they have developed their production from the book. I'm usually glad I've read the book first.