Ghost Music

For three years, Song Yan has been teaching piano in her Beijing apartment. When her mother-in-law arrives, strange events prompt her to confront the complexities of her life and emotions. Ghost Music explores this journey.

Ghost Music follows the journey of Song Yan, a piano teacher in Beijing who has spent the past three years surrounded by the tentative melodies of her young students. Despite her passion for music, she feels a sense of aimlessness in her life, particularly as her husband hesitates to start a family. This emotional void is further complicated by the arrival of her mother-in-law, which brings unexpected changes and challenges to her routine.

As strange parcels and unusual dreams begin to disrupt her daily life, Song Yan finds herself compelled to confront her feelings of discontent. The narrative takes a turn when she is summoned to an ancient house in the heart of the city, a place that holds the potential for revelation and understanding. It is within this setting that she seeks to unravel the complexities of her existence, exploring the intersections of pain and beauty that shape her reality.

The book is noted for its evocative prose and its exploration of the uncanny, reminiscent of early works by Haruki Murakami. Critics have praised Ghost Music for its ability to weave together themes of music and life, ultimately touching on profound insights about living fully. Through Song Yan's journey, readers are invited to reflect on their own experiences and the melodies that accompany them, making the story both personal and universal.