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43rd out of 61 books
—
1 voter
The Hungry Ghosts
by
Anne Berry
A tale of both broad global events and intimate lives, this dazzling debut spans 60 years from British Hong Kong to Paris, England, and postcolonial Hong Kong Alice Safford is a lost soul. Raised in Hong Kong by a monstrous mother and high-ranking father, she is neglected by her parents and indifferent siblings. Twenty-five years later during the Japanese occupation, Lin S...more
Hardcover, 389 pages
Published
May 1st 2009
by Blue Door
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Jun 03, 2009
Kirsty (Blatant Biblioholic)
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Kirsty by:
Waterstones Giveaway!
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 trad...more
The title would lead you to believe that this is a ghost story. It is, but not in the trad...more
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I didn’t think I would enjoy this book as ghost stories are not high on my list of entertainment. However the story is so well written I couldn’t put it down. I think Anne Berry used the ghosts to best portray the demons Alice carried around in her head due to her unhappy childhood. Ghost play an integral part in Chinese culture and the story is set in Hong Kong in the 1960s though to handing over to China in 1997 and beyond.
Alice’s father had a high powered job for the British government in Hon...more
Alice’s father had a high powered job for the British government in Hon...more
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 son, and the girl who haunts her, the ghost of Lin Shui, a young virgin raped and murdered by a Japanese occupying solider during World War II 20 years earlier. Alice is a ghost to her own family, unwanted by her mother, adored by her father, largely absent and unable to protect her from the increasing hostilities of...more
In short I found this book rather cold, disjointed and pointless. The only thing that Berry had going for her with this novel was her ability to write scenes with an incredible amount of detail. To a fault even.
I found some of the chapters surplus to requirements, especially the siblings- Jillian, Nicola and Harry. The descriptive droned on for far too long...almost to the point that I could skim ahead 2-3 pages at a time and have missed nothing. Or it would have a different effect in that sh...more
I found some of the chapters surplus to requirements, especially the siblings- Jillian, Nicola and Harry. The descriptive droned on for far too long...almost to the point that I could skim ahead 2-3 pages at a time and have missed nothing. Or it would have a different effect in that sh...more
What made this book stand out to me the most was the detailed imagery and vivid description that made each sentence flow onto the next wonderfully. I found myself creating fairly detailed images in my head, from an afternoon view from the 'flat on the Peak', to the outfit 'Myrtlle Stanford' would be wearing.
Although it seems some people wouldn't like reading through the "depressing parts", I enjoyed reading through the different unfortunate events that had happened throughout Alice's life and h...more
Although it seems some people wouldn't like reading through the "depressing parts", I enjoyed reading through the different unfortunate events that had happened throughout Alice's life and h...more
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...more
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...more
I can honestly say that I was surprised at how depressed I became after reading this book. I was not expecting it to be quite so dramatic and damn heart breaking. I could not believe how self-absorbed and selfish Alice's entire family was, well except her father Ralph and possibly her brother Harry. How they could never see her turmoil and how she never saw their devious plans. The mother... man she was the worst. Pure evil.
I think I only kept reading hoping, praying that poor Alice would find s...more
I think I only kept reading hoping, praying that poor Alice would find s...more
Mar 08, 2013
Melinda Seyler
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Melinda by:
newleaph@gmail.com
Interesting book. I was attracted by the cover and the fact that it was set in Hong Kong. Most of the book takes place in Hong Kong, beginning during WWII when a young girl is raped and murdered but refuses to leave this earthly plane and waits as a ghost until she takes over the body of another young girl in the 1960s. She generally ruins the real girl's life but doesn't seem to realize she is doing so and then later is too selfish to want to leave. Other ghosts of creatures deceased in the rea...more
This book was utterly horrible. I will give credit to the author for being skilled in the use of the english language, for having a firm grasp of painting a scene, and having quite believeable personalities for each character, but other than that this book was a morbid, dissapointing, pointless, and honestly depressing as hell. I disliked almost every character for being such horrible human beings, and i also felt that there was no glimmer of happiness, or positivity EVER in the entire story. I...more
Enjoyed the mystical nature of the books that pulled the story through, but that became so very normal. YOu basically have a troubled young girl living her life surrounded by an entourage of ghostly friends. Quite fascinating in parts, but not so fascinating as the turbulent familial relationships. Whilst in the first instance you might believe it is the ghosts who cause her troubles, it is, in fact, the presence of living people who tend to do the most damage.
I picked up this book because it h...more
I picked up this book because it h...more
Really struggling with this one. Not enjoying it at all, it's taking me ages to finish it. It started off quite well for me, with the story of the Chinese girl and the mystery kicking off at the funeral all in the first few pages but afterwards it all became rather disjointed and haphazard. Some chapters and even characters added very little to the story. In some places, the descriptives are just far too long and unnecessary leaving me to skip whole paragraphs at some points or completely lose t...more
I originally bought this book because I was fascinated by the cover. I actually didn't expect much from The Hungry Ghosts and I'm happy to say that I really loved it!
Telling the story through many different perspectives provides you with insight not seen in a third person narration or a story with a single first person narration.
I became emotionally involved with this book. I really felt for Alice and really wished that I could tell her family that they are the ones with the issues, not her! (...more
Telling the story through many different perspectives provides you with insight not seen in a third person narration or a story with a single first person narration.
I became emotionally involved with this book. I really felt for Alice and really wished that I could tell her family that they are the ones with the issues, not her! (...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I try to refrain from reviewing books I haven't completed, but I felt I had to share some brief thoughts on this one.
A very strong start did succeed in drawing me in. Unfortunately almost right after the prologue I began to feel strongly deterred by the draaaaagggging pace and overall dismal (with no relief!) tone. That being said, Berry does indeed posses a clear knack for vivid descriptions.
A very strong start did succeed in drawing me in. Unfortunately almost right after the prologue I began to feel strongly deterred by the draaaaagggging pace and overall dismal (with no relief!) tone. That being said, Berry does indeed posses a clear knack for vivid descriptions.
22nd July 2010
Disappointing! The story of a dysfunctional family which may have been made less miserable to read if it had been a believable ghost story but some of the specters that haunt Alice are not really all that believable. Neither the living or dead carachters were in the least endearing and the book had no real conclusion. I only persisted to see if it got better. It didn't!
Disappointing! The story of a dysfunctional family which may have been made less miserable to read if it had been a believable ghost story but some of the specters that haunt Alice are not really all that believable. Neither the living or dead carachters were in the least endearing and the book had no real conclusion. I only persisted to see if it got better. It didn't!
Interesting setting. I loved the way the ghosts and their interaction with Alice are described and the different characters and their motivation are interesting. However, the set up of the chapters is a bit irregular (annoys me) and some of the characters seem like they took some effort to write. Overall I liked it well, and finished the book quite quickly. :)
Reviewed at Mama Kucing Meow: The Hungry Ghosts by Anne Berry
Not a book for this coming halloween. It's more about alice than about ghosts. At places its just too depressing and dragging
Not a book for this coming halloween. It's more about alice than about ghosts. At places its just too depressing and dragging
only half way through the 3rd chapter and I'm thinking of not bothering reading the rest. First intro was really quite gripping, but the couple of chapters after have been really disjointed and all over the place. Is it worth reading some more???? Maybe I'm quiting too early on this one.
The concept was great and worked for a while but I struggled to find any of the characters were believable, the author seemed to build too much of her own judgement into each of them - too black and white. Also - too flowery with far too many overly descriptive passages. Otherwise good.
this book, though disturbing, is captivating, and a great read. Told through the voices of many alternating characters; it tells the story of Alice's harrowing life and her company of the hungry ghosts
At once beautifully and horrifically written, this ghost story will haunt you. Thorough characterization sets off the often heartbreaking mood, and even though Berry provides glimpses of raw, dark humor, don't be fooled. This is not a light-hearted book. It is exquisitely crafted, but sometimes difficult to read.
Disappointing but good. The story of Alices life and how her family hate her. This points at poltergeist problems but we don't get enough information on this. More a story of a tragic family who lack love!
A strange book but definately one that you want to finish reading to find out what happens in the end. It's partly factual and partly fantasy.
I enjoyed it but wouldn't want to keep it to re-read.
I enjoyed it but wouldn't want to keep it to re-read.
A book that is not shallow. Gives you some food for thought. It's definitely not the ordinary kind of ghost stories. The author wrote it in a very unique way.
Immensely talented writer. For the most part an utter joy to read her words. I felt the book went off the rails and became confusing and slightly irritating after Alice met Reta.
This book leaves a hollowness after the last page - you get to know Alice and her ghosts, you get to care so deeply for her life...so well written, so moving and original. This story will stay with me for a while, I fear ♥
a very interesting story line,with some chinese history of life in hong kong for young girls,but with a supernatural twist
Not entirely enthralling at the time but very thought provoking. The idea stayed with me and became quite inspiring.
So far...very intriguing. Each chapter is written in the first person from the point of view of a different character in the novel. This creates a 360-view of each person on the story. However, we never have a first person account from our protagonist....a good discussion regarding the symbolism in the book. The beginning started with tragedy and colorful, poignant description, pulling me in right from the start. I have had trouble putting it down. If I taught, I would teach this book.
I thought this book had a lot of potential but it needed some tightening up. I felt that the story lines could have been better defined and I suspect that if it had been shorter some of this could have been achieved.
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