by H. S. Norup
SYNOPSIS Freja arrives in Singapore during the month of the hungry ghost, when old spirits are said to roam the streets. She's struggling to settle into her dad's new, 'happy' family, and dreams only of escaping home and leaving this hot, unfamiliar city.
Then one night, a mysterious girl in a white dress appears in the garden. Freja follows this figure to lush, secretive corners of the city, seeking to understand the girl's identity. Her search will lead her to an old family mystery - one that must be unravelled before the month is over, to allow both girls to be freed from the secrets of the past.
REVIEW If you follow my blog and social media accounts, then you will probably know that this is slightly different to the types of books I normally review. The Hungry Ghost is a Middle Grade / YA novel set in Singapore during the month of the Hungry Ghost which is a traditional Buddhist and Taoist festival held in certain East Asian countries.
The Hungry Ghost Festival is observed during the seventh month of the lunar calendar. During this month, Buddhists and Taoists believe that the souls of the deceased roam among the living, so they prepare offerings of food and entertainment to keep the ghosts from being mischievous.
One of the reasons I was drawn to the book is because I am from Wales and have always loved reading 'Chwedlau', which are the traditional Welsh language folk tales and legends. I thought it would be interesting to read stories from different cultures and learn about some of the traditions and festivals celebrated in other countries.
In the story, Freja is struggling to cope with a move to Singapore. She has to leave her sick mother behind in Denmark and move in with her father and stepmother who have young twin boys. One day, after following a young girl dressed in white, Freja finds herself in Bukit Brown Cemetery. Here, she realises that the girl is actually a ghost who has been forgotten by her descendants and is looking to find answers about her past. This discovery forces Freja to face the traumatic events from her own past, and the tragedy that lead to the breakup of her family.
I originally wanted to read The Hungry Ghost as I am building a collection of books to be able to share and read with my daughter when she is older. I was surprised as I read the book that I genuinely enjoyed the story myself and flew through the pages wanting to find out what would happen. The messages in the book are very powerful and deal with important issues such as grief, trauma and depression – but these are covered in a really thoughtful way. A beautifully written story which will no doubt be a favourite to read with my daughter for years to come.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
H. S. Norup is the author of The Hungry Ghost and The Missing Barbegazi - a Sunday Times Book of the Year in 2018. Originally from Denmark, she has lived in six different countries and now resides in Switzerland with her husband and two teenage sons. She has a Master’s degree in Economics and Business Administration and sixteen years’ experience in corporate marketing strategy and communications. When she’s not writing or reading, she spends her time outdoors either skiing, hiking, walking, golfing or taking photos.
Thanks to @PoppyBookPR, @PushkinPress and @HSNorup for the opportunity to read and review and my slot on the blog tour.
Fiction: Folk Tales / Children's Literature / YA / Action & Adventure
Product format: Paperback
ISBN: 978-1782692690
Pages: 256 pp