Meet Yangsze Choo - Debut Novelist, THE GHOST BRIDE

What inspired you to write The Ghost Bride?

The seeds for this book originated when I was doing some research for another novel I was writing. Whilst going through some old newspaper articles for our local Malaysian paper in the 1950s, I found a brief mention of spirit marriages that offhandedly declared them "increasingly rare." This was so interesting that I ended up abandoning my first book and the novel grew legs and ran away from there.

What are the origins of practices such a "spirit marriages?"

There is actually a very strong literary tradition of Chinese ghost stories. The Western attitude toward the supernatural has been deeply influenced by the scientific method. When you read about Conan Doyle's evidence of fairies based on doctored photos, there's a driving compulsion to "solve" hauntings. In Asia, I think the issue isn't so much whether ghosts and spirits exist or why, but how to manage them. Dealing with the dead occurs in relational terms –– feeding them, arranging marriages, sorting out old disputes etc. And of course, almost everyone has a ghost story to tell, such as weretigers, haunted banana trees, and the pretty woman with long hair and no feet who entices you out into the night.

What is the special appeal of the story of the ‘ghost bride,' and who do you think is the audience for this book?

THE GHOST BRIDE, a literary ghost story, is based on a peculiar historic custom. I think readers are saturated with vampire and zombie stories and are ready for a view of the afterlife from a different culture.

The book deals with the lack of social and financial choices for women at that time—so it will appeal to those who appreciate a realistic portrayal of social barriers.

I think women and both new adult and young adult readers would appreciate this book, but really, it's for anyone who loves to learn about other cultures and delve into a great read. I think it might be especially appealing to book groups and book clubs.