Member Reviews
Reviewer 1554339
A Ghost in the Middle Kingdom by Anna Keibler
A Ghost in the Middle Kingdom is a real page-turner. The journey of the author as a young college-age student and her experiences both as a student and a teacher in China are relatable for anyone who was once a naïve college student. As a young and immature woman of nineteen, eager for adventure and companionship, she takes her life to the extreme. Her story describes many friendships with people from all over the world, living in China. Keibler gives us a detailed picture of China from 2011 to about 2016 and the attitudes and restrictions on foreigners and foreign students. We see the positive as well as the negative from the cultural and social aspects.
The common visa challenges facing anyone living abroad are a constant source of frustration and complications for the young Keibler. Keibler’s challenging romances with a couple of Hui men and the ensuing troubles illustrate her innocence and, yes, impulsivity. She spends a lot of time waiting for people to show up, and besides the visa problems, she has financial problems. Her ability to learn the Chinese language and a couple of the dialects is impressive, as is her final outcome, surmounting many difficulties with hard emotional work and determination.
The insights into the Hui culture and overall Chinese culture are fascinating. This story not only provides the reader a glimpse of who Keibler was as a young woman, but also the lived experience of living in China and a deep relationship with a Hui yak herder. There are many levels of cultural and human exchanges that are shared with the reader. Keibler finally sees the truth of her romantic partner, which, as it turns out, could have been an experience with anyone in the world, as certain characters can be universal, regardless of society.
I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in the multi-cultural experience of a young person.
This review was written for Netgalley.
