The Ghost Bride

Li Lan is the narrator and protagonist of The Ghost Bride. The story follows her through the world of the living and the dead, portraying colonial Malaysia and the trials of the afterlife from her perspective. Li Lan is also in many ways the quintessential romantic heroine. She is described as very pretty, even beautiful, but she does not dwell on her appearance. She chooses to wear her hair in simple braids, and her clothing is plain but flattering. When she is first invited to the Lim mansion, it is quite a production for her to get a new dress and for Amah to adorn her with jewelry, hair pins, and other accessories. Li Lan is also depicted as kind, curious, and intelligent. She treats servants, both her own and those in other households, with respect. She is also constantly questioning the world around her, challenging the “hows” and “whys” of her society and culture. She even critically questions religious traditions, such as when she is explaining the Double Seventh Festival and the myth of the cowherd and the weaving maid for the reader. Dissatisfied with the story behind the celebration, she notes: