The Undertakng of Lily Chen by Danica Novgorodoff –NO

Novgorodoff, Danica The Undertakng of Lily Chen 432 pgs. First Second, 2014. $29.99 Content: Language: PG13 (8 Swears); Mature Content: R Violence: G. GRAPHIC NOVEL

There is an Ancient Chinese tradition called ‘ghost marriages’, still occurring some today. When a man dies without a wife, they find an eligible deceased women and hold a marriage, the couple is then buried together, united in the afterlife. In this book, Deshi is sent out to find and purchase the corpse of a woman to be ghost married to his recently deceased brother. The digging up a corpse thing doesn’t work out well, so he contemplates killing a girl. Her name is Lily, she talks a lot, as they journey together, he tries numerous times to end her life, only to start falling for her.

This was a very long and dreary read, both in plot and the subdues artwork full of exaggerated characters. After meeting the character of Lily I sort of wanted Deshi to kill her, she was so annoying. I think the cultural component is interesting, but

I failed to find interest in this story. I think teens will be drawn to the cover, but you probably don’t want this in your school library, it features a vivid scene between a man and prostitute.

HS –NO Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.