Wiz Wharton discovered her late mother’s diaries describing her life as a Chinese immigrant to the UK in the 1960s, always trying to find her identity, but still ‘fit in’. Wharton herself, in the ’70s and ’80s, was always told she was ‘half’ this or ‘half’ that – incomplete. This inspired her novel spanning two generations and two countries – a mother, Sook-Yin, in the ’60s and her daughters, Maya and Lily, in the ’90s. They tell their story in alternate chapters.

Sook-Yin’s abusive brother sent her to London in the 1930s as she was a blight on their family. She courageously strives to be proud of her identity. She meets Julian, and after much drama they marry and have two daughters. Maya is fair like her dad, while Lily has her mum’s Asian appearance. Sibling rivalry develops.

Sook-Yin takes the family back to Hong Kong. But Julian incurs dangerous gambling debts. Lily is only five when Sook-Yin is mysteriously killed. The terrible truth is cleverly withheld until the last pages.

Back in London, the two adult sisters receive a letter from a stranger in Hong Kong saying they will each inherit half a million pounds if they accept in person in Kowloon.

Maya declines but Lily makes a secret pilgrimage to Hong Kong. Her story in the first person created an emotional connection with me. She witnesses the British Handover of Hong Kong to China, aligning with her inner struggle for belonging. After exploring her dark family secrets, the ‘ghost girl’ who doesn’t belong there, discovers belonging has a cost.

Wharton studied screenwriting so the dialogue of Ghost Girl, Banana is engaging and vividly paints the characters. Their exciting stories speak to anyone who has ever struggled to have a voice or has paid a cost to belong.

Reviewed by Judith Grace

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Wiz Wharton was born in London of Chinese-European heritage. She is a prize-winning graduate from the National Film and Television School where she studied screenwriting on a full scholarship under the tutelage of Stephen Frears, Mike Leigh and Ken Trodd. She currently divides her time between London and the Scottish Highlands.

Ghost Girl, Banana is her debut novel.