Tibet, a tiny nation cloaked in mystery and clouded by myth, is the setting for this riveting family saga.
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"Took me a bit to get into this book, but I liked it once I did. It was originally written in Chinese and later translated to English which I think contributes a little to it being hard to get into, but you don't notice it as much after awhile. "
— Beth (4 out of 5 stars)
" this book took forever to read. at times i liked it, at times i was pretty bored. overall, i wouldn't recommend it. "
— Jessie, 12/18/2013" One of the best books I've read in a long time. Absolutely unforgettable. "
— Brittany, 12/13/2013" Historical novel about feudal tibet in the early 20th century. The head of one of the leading clans agrees to plan poppies (for opium production)in exchange for guns to use against rival neighboring clans. "
— Teji, 12/11/2013" A very different view of Tibet...not the monasteries and monks of the Land of Snows, but the political intrigues and feuds between Tibetan warlords, plus the nexus of opium and Chinese Communism. "
— annemm, 12/11/2013" Awkward translation, obscure subject matter, whiffs of magical realism, and plenty o' syphilis and opium. What's not to like? "
— Amanda, 11/27/2013" Very atmospheric novel with great characters and panoramic settings. "
— Dominika, 11/14/2013" Took me a bit to get into this book, but I liked it once I did. It was originally written in Chinese and later translated to English which I think contributes a little to it being hard to get into, but you don't notice it as much after awhile. "
— Beth, 11/7/2013" A rather strange read but interesting enough to finish. Gleaned some history with some macabre humor. I would recommend it and be interested in other reviews. "
— Patricia, 10/30/2013" This wonderful book pulls you into the world of mid twentith century Tibetan chieftons, highly recommended. "
— Kathy, 9/17/2013" Not really a novel of Tibet, but a novel of a very small part of Tibet... "
— Liu, 9/6/2013" This book began and ended very well, but the story came to a near stand-still throughout the middle majority of the book. It's an interesting and unique read, but doesn't provide a great history lesson. However, very interesting. "
— Joyce, 4/2/2013" I actually read this book in Chinese. The story was very interesting and written in beautiful language. But, I don't know how much is lost in translation. "
— Susan, 1/25/2013" Excellent historical novel about Tibet, in the early 20th century. I recommend this to anyone who has an interest in that region of the world. "
— Nathalie, 1/13/2013" A wonderful novel that compares favorably with Graves's I, Claudius. Alai takes you into the corrupt heart of early 20th Century Tibet with the surety of a master storyteller. "
— David, 11/10/2012" I listened to the abridged audiobook. The story is very interesting--it takes place as Tibet is taken over by China. The introduction of the opium poppy to the region is followed as it corrupts the people and land. "
— Connie, 10/12/2012" This was awful! I picked it up at the book store on the "Sale" rack. Mystery solved! Terrible, terrible. "
— Cindy, 9/8/2012" Tasty. "
— Kate, 8/12/2012" I couldn't even finish it. The boy is self absorbed, and the family is abusive. "
— Tonya, 7/26/2012" Maybe this deserves 1.5 stars, but no more. "
— Barbara, 8/29/2011" Amazing in Chinese. But I bet much has lost in translation. "
— Yang, 5/21/2011" This book began and ended very well, but the story came to a near stand-still throughout the middle majority of the book. It's an interesting and unique read, but doesn't provide a great history lesson. However, very interesting. "
— Joyce, 3/7/2011" This was awful! I picked it up at the book store on the "Sale" rack. Mystery solved! Terrible, terrible. <br/> "
— Cindy, 5/7/2010" Awkward translation, obscure subject matter, whiffs of magical realism, and plenty o' syphilis and opium. What's not to like? "
— Amanda, 1/26/2010" One of the best books I've read in a long time. Absolutely unforgettable. "
— Brittany, 10/26/2009" Excellent historical novel about Tibet, in the early 20th century. I recommend this to anyone who has an interest in that region of the world. "
— Nathalie, 9/10/2009" this book took forever to read. at times i liked it, at times i was pretty bored. overall, i wouldn't recommend it. "
— Jessie, 5/20/2009" I listened to the abridged audiobook. The story is very interesting--it takes place as Tibet is taken over by China. The introduction of the opium poppy to the region is followed as it corrupts the people and land. "
— Connie, 1/20/2009" A very different view of Tibet...not the monasteries and monks of the Land of Snows, but the political intrigues and feuds between Tibetan warlords, plus the nexus of opium and Chinese Communism. "
— annemm, 12/3/2008" I couldn't even finish it. The boy is self absorbed, and the family is abusive. "
— Tonya, 5/12/2008" Historical novel about feudal tibet in the early 20th century. The head of one of the leading clans agrees to plan poppies (for opium production)in exchange for guns to use against rival neighboring clans. "
— Teji, 4/13/2008" really special one <br/>Tibet , China and more of all- one special boy who is telling his and his country story between 2 World wars <br/>couldnt stop till the end <br/>(i have it at Hebrew translation) "
— Vika, 12/28/2007Alai is an ethnic Tibetan who lives in Sichuan, China. He is the author of several short-story collections and the editor of China’s largest science-fiction journal, Science Fiction World.
Ping Wu is an actor known for his roles in Pearl Harbor, The Hunt for Red October, Seinfeld, and I Love You, Man.