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A review by readundancies
Ghost Forest by Pik-Shuen Fung
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This little ditty of a book absolutely WRECKED me.
We're talking 272 pages that forced me upon a temporary relocation to Bawl Town that I was not planning on making, where I got to experience what felt like never-ending rivers pouring down my face that consisted entirely of salty tears, cool sweat and entirely too much nasal mucous. The impromptu trip then ended in the most unfortunate result of puffy-eyed blotchiness alongside the general feeling of absence that was very prominent throughout the book itself.
So long story short, I was a real mess when I finished this story, and it's been a long time since that has been the case for me. I think I needed it.
This books reads very much like a memoir. While reading it, I had to keep reminding myself that it in fact was not a memoir because it could be and felt like one. Normally, that would be a giant turn-off for me because memoirs are truly just not my favourite, but it worked so well with the vignette styled delivery.
And the writing style of the vignettes themselves was so effective. It introduced the absence of story, since we only get to experience specific moments in time, and the fact that it tied together with the titular vignette explaining the one strike ink art perfectly? So satisfying and so well done.
The second half of this novel was the most emotionally arresting thing I’ve read this year. I had to purposefully stop reading this on the train during my commute home because I was tearing up real bad and *knew* I wouldn’t be able to make it home without losing all my composure. And I was right. I have cried more tears on August 9th than at any other point this year because the story was so moving. And really, what a genuinely compelling read. I didn’t want to stop reading at so many times because I was so lost to the prose, but I knew I had to because if not I would’ve been really just crying my heart out.
The discourse on grief and loss throughout the novel spoke to me. Revelling in the moment, and having the grace to love what you have and who you have and let them know it is not a message that is typically expressed in many Eastern culture, including literature, and exposing that in the frame of astronaut families, showing the struggle of children who are raised in a place where their family and culture is not at the forefront of the world around them was masterful. As a mixed race child myself I related to this story in a way I never have before and I'm still a little unsettled and teary-eyed just thinking about it. I've delayed writing this review for a week because I couldn't process just how affected I was without becoming completely overwrought again emotionally.
I loved how all of the family members blended into the unnamed narrator. Her voice becomes them, and their stories and thoughts become her and it is beautiful. Especially because you know the end is coming. That death looms upon the front stoop, waiting. And I won’t say it didn’t hurt when it happened. But knowing the end was near was also a blessing because at least you were prepared.
I don't think the impact of this novel has really hit me yet. All I know is that I desperately need a copy of this book to call my own.
So if you're thinking about picking this up, be prepared for tears.
And if you're not thinking about picking this up, all I can say is that you're missing out on something truly special. I'd suggest you reconsider.
We're talking 272 pages that forced me upon a temporary relocation to Bawl Town that I was not planning on making, where I got to experience what felt like never-ending rivers pouring down my face that consisted entirely of salty tears, cool sweat and entirely too much nasal mucous. The impromptu trip then ended in the most unfortunate result of puffy-eyed blotchiness alongside the general feeling of absence that was very prominent throughout the book itself.
So long story short, I was a real mess when I finished this story, and it's been a long time since that has been the case for me. I think I needed it.
This books reads very much like a memoir. While reading it, I had to keep reminding myself that it in fact was not a memoir because it could be and felt like one. Normally, that would be a giant turn-off for me because memoirs are truly just not my favourite, but it worked so well with the vignette styled delivery.
And the writing style of the vignettes themselves was so effective. It introduced the absence of story, since we only get to experience specific moments in time, and the fact that it tied together with the titular vignette explaining the one strike ink art perfectly? So satisfying and so well done.
The second half of this novel was the most emotionally arresting thing I’ve read this year. I had to purposefully stop reading this on the train during my commute home because I was tearing up real bad and *knew* I wouldn’t be able to make it home without losing all my composure. And I was right. I have cried more tears on August 9th than at any other point this year because the story was so moving. And really, what a genuinely compelling read. I didn’t want to stop reading at so many times because I was so lost to the prose, but I knew I had to because if not I would’ve been really just crying my heart out.
The discourse on grief and loss throughout the novel spoke to me. Revelling in the moment, and having the grace to love what you have and who you have and let them know it is not a message that is typically expressed in many Eastern culture, including literature, and exposing that in the frame of astronaut families, showing the struggle of children who are raised in a place where their family and culture is not at the forefront of the world around them was masterful. As a mixed race child myself I related to this story in a way I never have before and I'm still a little unsettled and teary-eyed just thinking about it. I've delayed writing this review for a week because I couldn't process just how affected I was without becoming completely overwrought again emotionally.
I loved how all of the family members blended into the unnamed narrator. Her voice becomes them, and their stories and thoughts become her and it is beautiful. Especially because you know the end is coming. That death looms upon the front stoop, waiting. And I won’t say it didn’t hurt when it happened. But knowing the end was near was also a blessing because at least you were prepared.
I don't think the impact of this novel has really hit me yet. All I know is that I desperately need a copy of this book to call my own.
So if you're thinking about picking this up, be prepared for tears.
And if you're not thinking about picking this up, all I can say is that you're missing out on something truly special. I'd suggest you reconsider.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent