Reviewed by Beth C. on
Li Lan is the only daughter in a Chinese family in Malaya. Her family, once reasonably respectable, has fallen far after her mother's death and her father's ensuing addiction to opium. So when a wealthy neighboring family suggests Li Lan as a ghost bride for the dead son, her father mentions it to her in passing. Though she refuses, she soon finds herself haunted by the persistent bridegroom.
There are books I read because I'm sure I will like them (specific genre, familiar author). Then there are books that sound intriguing and reading them means possibly losing time I will never get back. This particular book falls in the middle. The story itself was interesting, with an ending that was somewhat ironic. The biggest issue I had with this book was the writing itself - I felt led around by the nose, as if everything had to be explained to me rather than letting the story do the work. For example (no spoilers), as Li Lan is ruminating about a mysterious stranger and the clothes he was wearing, she says, "I recognized this garb because it was used in books, paintings, and historic plays.". It just felt so out of place and unnecessary. Quite honestly, I think that the book, had it been edited stronger, could have been cut by several pages at minimum. That also plays into the fact that so many parts felt far too long and drawn out, leaving me just wishing it would "move on, already!".
Honestly, it's an interesting story if you can get past the rest. I enjoyed reading about the folklore within the story itself, and did appreciate the ending. But for me, this is a library book instead of one for my book shelves.
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Reading updates
- Started reading
- 27 July, 2013: Finished reading
- 27 July, 2013: Reviewed
