Ghost Music

By: An Yu

Narrated by: Vera Chok

From the author of the “original and electric” Braised Pork (Time), An Yu’s enchanting and contemplative novel of music and mushrooms follows a former concert pianist searching for the truth about a vanished musician

For three years, Song Yan has filled the emptiness of her Beijing apartment with the tentative notes of her young piano students. She gave up on her own career as a concert pianist many years ago, but her husband Bowen, an executive at a car company, has long rebuffed her pleas to have a child. He resists even when his mother arrives from the southwestern Chinese region of Yunnan and begins her own campaign for a grandchild. As tension in the household rises, it becomes harder for Song Yan to keep her usual placid demeanor, especially since she is troubled by dreams of a doorless room she can’t escape, populated only by a strange orange mushroom.

When a parcel of mushrooms native to her mother-in-law’s province is delivered seemingly by mistake, Song Yan sees an opportunity to bond with her, and as the packages continue to arrive every week, the women stir-fry and grill the mushrooms, adding them to soups and noodles. When a letter arrives in the mail from the sender of the mushrooms, Song Yan’s world begins to tilt further into the surreal. Summoned to an uncanny, seemingly ageless house hidden in a hutong that sits in the middle of the congested city, she finds Bai Yu, a once world-famous pianist who disappeared ten years ago.

A gorgeous and atmospheric novel of art and expression, grief and survival, memory and self-discovery, Ghost Music animates contemporary Beijing through the eyes of a lonely yet hopeful young woman and gives vivid color and texture to the promise of new beginnings.

©2023 An Yu (P)2023 Recorded Books

I think this is not for me

I didn’t hate the book. It was well written and nothing in particular (characters, pacing, atmosphere) was frustrating or badly executed. It’s message about grief and loneliness is presented well and it does bring some comfort. However, nothing in this book stood out to me. There is no real plot (I need plot to be fully immersed) and anytime something mysterious or wondrous I was always left wanting more and felt disappointed when nothing happened. I also wasn’t impacted in any big way with its message, and I think it’s part way that the story didn’t connect with me and part way that I’ve dealt with loneliness and loss on my own before this book. All that to say, I still think it’s a good book. I think this book was just not meant for me. Maybe rereading it sometime in the future in different life circumstances may make me feel more invested in the book, but I think there being no driving force is the main reason why this book fell flat for me.

Weirdness

This book has reads like the translated fiction novels I picked up last year. Similar surrealistic vibes.

I Loved this Book

I don't understand the bad reviews of this book. The plot is great, mainly about a broken man and his falling apart marriage, as told from the perspective of his loving wife. I was engaged throughout the book, and I didn't find anything confusing or boring about it. It's a little Alice-in-Wonderlandish at times, but is a bit of fantasy a reason to hate a book? I'd say use a credit to buy it and try it. If you end up agreeing with the other reviewers and not me, you can always return it. I'm really glad I took that chance.

Difficultly staying focused on this book

I honestly have no idea what really happened in this book. I struggled to pay attention and after awhile gave up on re-reading portions I’d spaced out on. Not a huge fan of this book!

Not a book I would recommend.

Incoherent plot. Seems like an effort to be philosophical but falls short. Would not recommend