The Ghost Bride

by Yangsze Choo

He would often quote Confucius, who had said it was better not to know about ghosts and gods, but rather to focus on the world we lived in.

Actually, my mother (who is Chinese-educated) used to quote this particular bit of Confucius to me, though unlike Li Lan’s fictional father, my mum is highly practical. While I was writing this novel, as well as my second book, The Night Tiger, I would often hear her voice in my head, reminding me of this and that. It’s funny how we internalize all the advice and little bits of wisdom we get along the way. I still iron clothes the way my mum taught me, and I now drink a large glass of warm water first thing in the morning. When I think about it, a lot of “living in this world” consists of small, mundane, care-taking actions which add up to love.