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The Hungry Ghosts
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Review
' [A] stunning debut. A schoolgirl in Hong Kong is haunted by the ghost of a murdered Chinese girl in this story of broken family, and its hidden secrets and lies.' Woman and Home
“A stunning debut…Epic in scope and voice…so skilfully crafted, and the writing so elegant, it’s hard to believe it is a first novel.” The Globe and Mail
'[A] brilliant, brittle portrayal of colonial Hong Kong and vividly cruel series of first-person narratives’ Psychologies
'The vivid, sensory depictions of Hong Kong circa 1970 ignite this almost unrelentingly sad story, and Berry’s easy way of switching between different narrative voices from chapter to chapter is impressive.' The List
Review
' [A] stunning debut. A schoolgirl in Hong Kong is haunted by the ghost of a murdered Chinese girl in this story of broken family, and its hidden secrets and lies.' Woman and Home "A stunning debut!Epic in scope and voice!so skilfully crafted, and the writing so elegant, it's hard to believe it is a first novel." The Globe and Mail '[A] brilliant, brittle portrayal of colonial Hong Kong and vividly cruel series of first-person narratives' Psychologies 'The vivid, sensory depictions of Hong Kong circa 1970 ignite this almost unrelentingly sad story, and Berry's easy way of switching between different narrative voices from chapter to chapter is impressive.' The List
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
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For once you have to agree with the comments on the cover. This is indeed a stunning first novel; so original and cleverly written. Here is a new type of ghost story, one written from many perspectives...I lost count of the number of narrators - not that detracts from the story. It is truly hard to describe this book as it is unlike any I have read before. Yes, there are elements of "Lovely Bones" and "Poison wood Bible" but don't be lulled into thinking it is in either of those genres.
The story, which ranges over 6 decades has pace and detail in abundance and the emotions ebb and flow. The descriptions of colonial Hong Kong and the interactions between the British rulers and the various the locals is stark. Ultimately the story reaches a climax that is both sad and satisfying.
There is just one element to this book that worries me - there are many characters (both living and dead) portrayed here and, to be honest, there's not a sympathetic one amongst them. I like novels where you can at least identify with someone along the way - here ALL the characters are unlikeable. Maybe something that Anne Berry needs to think about for future work. A great first effort though.
The story, which ranges over 6 decades has pace and detail in abundance and the emotions ebb and flow. The descriptions of colonial Hong Kong and the interactions between the British rulers and the various the locals is stark. Ultimately the story reaches a climax that is both sad and satisfying.
There is just one element to this book that worries me - there are many characters (both living and dead) portrayed here and, to be honest, there's not a sympathetic one amongst them. I like novels where you can at least identify with someone along the way - here ALL the characters are unlikeable. Maybe something that Anne Berry needs to think about for future work. A great first effort though.
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The Hungry Ghosts in the title of this debut novel are part of Hong Kong culture.
In Hong Kong, the Hungry Ghost Festival is a major Buddhist and Taoist event. Hungry ghosts are the restless spirits of people who did not have a funeral. There is no one visiting their graves and they do not receive the gifts that Chinese people would take to their ancestors to pay respects. They miss out on food and spirit money.
To stop the ghosts causing problems for the living, many communities provide them with food to appease them. The ghosts feed first but the food does not disappear. Then the living eat the offerings and pray for good luck.
Every year the Chinese people believe that the gate of hell will open and ghosts are allowed to roam the earth during the lunar month. During July / August , Hungry Ghost festival or "Yue Lan" takes place in many areas in Hong Kong. In each area, it lasts three days.
The novel opens in Japan occupied Hong Kong in 1942 when a young girl is raped and murdered by a Japanese soldier - her body is pushed over a cliff and never found - she then becomes a Hungry Ghost and for many years she hovers around a morgue before finding her `host' - Alice, the daughter of a British Government official. Alice is something of a lost soul too - her Mother has never loved or cared for her, her two older sisters are more interested in their social lives and her brother more interested in food.
Alice is accompanied by Ghost throughout her life - as she struggles with school and family relationships, as she watches the break-down of her parent's marriage and eventually when she flees the island to live in England.
Along the way - Ghost is joined by other demons from Alice's.
Each chapter of the story is narrated by a different character including Alice's parents, siblings and Ghost. Often each character will tell of the same event but with their own take on it.
The Hungry Ghosts is more a story of dysfunctional family life and the effects of certain behavior on a whole family. At times, I felt a little overwhelmed by the different characters but at other times I was almost moved to tears by the description of mental illness, trauma and life in general.
This is a very well written book and is extremely hard to catergorise. I found it a very compelling read.
In Hong Kong, the Hungry Ghost Festival is a major Buddhist and Taoist event. Hungry ghosts are the restless spirits of people who did not have a funeral. There is no one visiting their graves and they do not receive the gifts that Chinese people would take to their ancestors to pay respects. They miss out on food and spirit money.
To stop the ghosts causing problems for the living, many communities provide them with food to appease them. The ghosts feed first but the food does not disappear. Then the living eat the offerings and pray for good luck.
Every year the Chinese people believe that the gate of hell will open and ghosts are allowed to roam the earth during the lunar month. During July / August , Hungry Ghost festival or "Yue Lan" takes place in many areas in Hong Kong. In each area, it lasts three days.
The novel opens in Japan occupied Hong Kong in 1942 when a young girl is raped and murdered by a Japanese soldier - her body is pushed over a cliff and never found - she then becomes a Hungry Ghost and for many years she hovers around a morgue before finding her `host' - Alice, the daughter of a British Government official. Alice is something of a lost soul too - her Mother has never loved or cared for her, her two older sisters are more interested in their social lives and her brother more interested in food.
Alice is accompanied by Ghost throughout her life - as she struggles with school and family relationships, as she watches the break-down of her parent's marriage and eventually when she flees the island to live in England.
Along the way - Ghost is joined by other demons from Alice's.
Each chapter of the story is narrated by a different character including Alice's parents, siblings and Ghost. Often each character will tell of the same event but with their own take on it.
The Hungry Ghosts is more a story of dysfunctional family life and the effects of certain behavior on a whole family. At times, I felt a little overwhelmed by the different characters but at other times I was almost moved to tears by the description of mental illness, trauma and life in general.
This is a very well written book and is extremely hard to catergorise. I found it a very compelling read.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I really enjoyed this book. It follows the story of a British family, living in Hong Kong during the time when the British ruled. In particular, it follows the story of Alice - the unwanted daughter - who is deeply troubled and becomes the host for the ghost of a chinese girl murdered by the Japanese. We follow her as she tries to find her place in the world, whilst carrying around the 'ghosts' of the past.
The title would lead you to believe that this is a ghost story. It is, but not in the traditional sense. Instead, it is much more than that. There is a deeper meaning behind this book, which I can't really go into without giving the plot away, however I can say that it focuses on the consequences of our actions.
The writing flows and the description is vivid. The different viewpoints add depth and excellent characterisation to the story. They also help to keep the book interesting and the plot moves along at a good speed.
The final few pages, for me, really hit home. The final paragraph was one that will stay with me and it gave a different outlook on the whole book.
A great debut novel! Looking forward to reading more from this author.
The title would lead you to believe that this is a ghost story. It is, but not in the traditional sense. Instead, it is much more than that. There is a deeper meaning behind this book, which I can't really go into without giving the plot away, however I can say that it focuses on the consequences of our actions.
The writing flows and the description is vivid. The different viewpoints add depth and excellent characterisation to the story. They also help to keep the book interesting and the plot moves along at a good speed.
The final few pages, for me, really hit home. The final paragraph was one that will stay with me and it gave a different outlook on the whole book.
A great debut novel! Looking forward to reading more from this author.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Fantastic! A Must Read!
This is an enthralling read from start to finish. I have bought it as a gift for all my friends. A must read and an excellent first work from Anne Berry.
Published 5 months ago by Fiona
Stangely moving
I'm really not the type to write reviews, even though I purchase most of my books through amazon and read one or two books a week, but I feel compelled to to state how moved I was... Read more
Published 13 months ago by it's OK
Hungry for More
Hungry Ghosts is a fantastic gothic tale with an exotic twist. For those expecting this novel to read like a J horror film of maurauding and sinister spirits dooming the living... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Scriber_scouse
Haunting, imaginitive and incredibly well written
The extraordinary story of two girls, Alice, youngest daughter of a member of the colonial Hong Kong British government and the wife who only wanted to provide her husband with her... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Jo Bennie
the story of a heroine dogged by misfortune who is never really...
This book tells the story of a character inhabited by multiple ghosts. It is told from the viewpoint of one of the ghosts and several other characters. Read more
Published 21 months ago by coachhseh
Unusual holiday read
Took this away on holiday. Found once I got into it, which does take a little doing, gripping.
Published 21 months ago by M. Duffy
Without substance and a little annoying
Alice is the odd man out of the expat family, living in Hong Kong in the 60s and 70s and she has a tag-along ghost, who died in Hong Kong many years before. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Louise Amkaer
Well-written but odd tale of an expat family in Hong Kong
This is an odd book that defies categorisation. It begins well enough during the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong, but apart from strong initial scene setting - I very much enjoyed... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Parvati P.
Couldn't finish but can't put my finger on why
This should be exaclty my kind of book; it had all the right ingredients - set in China, ghosts etc. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Boof
Overrated and downbeat with flat characters
I really wanted to like this book. It had all the right ingredients - good reviews with comparisons to Kate Atkinson and Alice Sebold, interesting setting, a bit of fantasy mixed... Read more
Published 23 months ago by BookWorm
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