Kelsea Yu’s debut horror novella Bound Feet is the story of Jodi, a mother whose young daughter Ella drowned tragically, and Jodi’s attempt to call Ella’s ghost back to earth one last time. Child death is a topic very close to me, since I had a baby sister who died when I was three, so I knew this book would affect me deeply—and it did. Jodi’s grief is palpable throughout the story, and adds so much depth and meaning to this short but powerful tale.
I loved the way Kelsea Yu incorporated Chinese ghost stories into her own plotline. I’m not sure how much of the stories were taken directly from folklore and how much were invented, but I appreciated the emphasis on misogyny in the ancient world, the tragedy and desperation of so many women’s lives, and how this led to terrible outcomes that could cause a female ghost to hang on to this earthly plane for centuries, seeking revenge. It makes an effective backdrop for a modern ghost story, and Kelsea Yu’s writing certainly takes advantage of this ghostly atmosphere. I was particularly impressed with Yu’s use of smells, sounds, sensations, and the re-occurring imagery of rotting to bring her ghost story to life. It was truly a multi-sensory experience that made me shiver as I read.
I was also really impressed with Yu’s skill in plotting her story. She imagined to infuse the tale with emotion and character development while always keeping the story moving, and there were quite a few twists I didn’t see coming.
This is a horror story, yes, but ultimately it is a story about how we deal with the loss of those we love, with the inevitable disappointments and betrayals that life brings. It’s a moving and compelling tale that I encourage readers to pick up, and I can’t wait to see what Kelsea Yu writes yet!
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It’s so incredible that I’m re-reading it, just a week after my first read.
I absolutely devoured this novella. Set in the atmospheric and mysterious Portland’s Chinese Garden and Ghost Museum during the Hungry Ghost Moon, a tale of how grief binds even as it tears apart, settling ancient scores, and the impact of twisted history. You’ll be enchanted by the voice of protagonist Jodi and crushed over and over again.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2022
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Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2022
It’s so incredible that I’m re-reading it, just a week after my first read.
Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2022
I absolutely devoured this novella. Set in the atmospheric and mysterious Portland’s Chinese Garden and Ghost Museum during the Hungry Ghost Moon, a tale of how grief binds even as it tears apart, settling ancient scores, and the impact of twisted history. You’ll be enchanted by the voice of protagonist Jodi and crushed over and over again.
Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2022
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Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2022
Top reviews from other countries
Karen Holmes
Great new voice in horror
Reviewed in Spain on October 11, 2022
Karen Holmes
Reviewed in Spain on October 11, 2022
This is a horror story with some cozy vibes set a year after Jodi looses her child. While she tries to do a ritual she might have woken up something much worse. Accompanied by her friend Sarah she breaks into the Chinese garden and ghost museum in Portland and tries to reconnect with the ghost of her daughter a year after her death.
Based in Chinese stories and traditions about ghosts and about the way to treat women and their feet to keep them under the thumbs of men, this short novella won't let you unscarred. Kelsea Yu is a new voice that will become a great one. I loved the flawless style that grabbed me and didn't let me go.
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Stephen Howard
A deeply affecting novella
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 1, 2023