Editors’ Pick
Designed to Feel by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feelby Peter Burchardt — on emotions, evolution & the science of feeling
View on Amazon →
Cover of The Ghost Bride
Fantasy· Malaysia

The Ghost Bride

by Yangsze Choo
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 2013English
Buy on Amazon →

About This Book

The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo is a landmark work of fantasy, first published in 2013. The Ghost Bride is a unique blend of fantasy and historical fiction set in 19th-century colonial Malaya. Yangsze Choo's debut novel explores the ancient Chinese practice of ghost marriages through the story of a young woman who becomes a 'ghost bride.' The novel is praised for its imaginative storytelling and rich cultural details, offering a captivating exploration of love, tradition, and the supernatural. Themes of love and tradition, supernatural, cultural practices run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorYangsze Choo
Published2013
Country of Origin🇲🇾 Malaysia
LanguageEnglish
Category🐉 Fantasy
ISBN9780062227324
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

🐉 Fantasy

Stories set in imaginary worlds with magical or supernatural elements.

Explore all Fantasy books →
Country of Origin

🇲🇾 Malaysia

This book is part of Malaysia's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Malaysia →

Editorial Assessment

The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo sits within the tradition of fantasy that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 2013 in Malaysia, it engages with love and tradition, supernatural, cultural practices, identity in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention. Critics and institutions have consistently placed The Ghost Bride among the notable works of its period. Our aggregate score of 30/100 is compiled from 1 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. What distinguishes The Ghost Bride is how it handles its central concerns — love and tradition, supernatural, cultural practices, identity — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. The Ghost Bride reflects Yangsze Choo's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with Malaysia's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Goodreads Choice Award
notable · global
20130
✍️
About the Author
Yangsze Choo
Malaysia
View Author →

Yangsze Choo is a Malaysia author whose work in fantasy has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

Happy Children
The Parenting Companion
Happy Children
What Evolution Actually Built Your Child’s Emotions For
Your child’s emotions are not the problem. They are the operating system.
Get It on Amazon →Paperback & Kindle

What to Read Next

Cover of Midnight's Children
literary-fiction

Midnight's Children

Salman Rushdie· 1981
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of Lincoln in the Bardo
literary-fiction

Lincoln in the Bardo

George Saunders· 2017
★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The Mermaid of Black Conch
literary-fiction

The Mermaid of Black Conch

Monique Roffey· 2020
★Women's Prize for Fiction★Costa Book Award
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of Piranesi
fantasy

Piranesi

Susanna Clarke· 2020
★Women's Prize for Fiction
Editorial Score94/100
Cover of The Tiger's Wife
literary-fiction

The Tiger's Wife

Téa Obreht· 2011
★Women's Prize for Fiction
Editorial Score85/100
Cover of American Gods
fantasy

American Gods

Neil Gaiman· 2002
★Hugo Award★Bram Stoker Award
Editorial Score79/100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Ghost Bride about?

The Ghost Bride is a unique blend of fantasy and historical fiction set in 19th-century colonial Malaya. Yangsze Choo's debut novel explores the ancient Chinese practice of ghost marriages through the story of a young woman who becomes a 'ghost bride.' The novel is praised for its imaginative storytelling and rich cultural details, offering a captivating exploration of love, tradition, and the supernatural.

Who wrote The Ghost Bride?

The Ghost Bride was written by Yangsze Choo, from Malaysia. First published in 2013.

What awards has The Ghost Bride won?

The Ghost Bride has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is The Ghost Bride worth reading?

The Ghost Bride is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in love and tradition, supernatural, cultural practices.

Where can I buy The Ghost Bride?

You can buy The Ghost Bride on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Ghost Bride?

The Ghost Bride is classified as Fantasy. Stories set in imaginary worlds with magical or supernatural elements.

What country is The Ghost Bride from?

The Ghost Bride originates from Malaysia's literary tradition. Explore more books from Malaysia on our country page.

Popular on 50 Best Books

Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides

Explore More

🐉More FantasyBrowse all Fantasy books🇲🇾Books from Malaysia🇲🇾 Malaysia literature📅2010s BooksPublished in the 2010s🏆Top 50 RankingsThe greatest books of all time