Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven (Abridged) Audiobook

" I learned a lot about traveling in strange lands where you are an outsider and clueless. I also found out what can happen to two naive college kids in these far away countries, especially when one of them has a mental health problem and the other person is unaware of this. It gives one a nostalgic look back at the "me decade," the 1980's. Reads like a mystery/thriller but is a true story. Kept me glued. "

" I've enjoyed Gilman's other books, so I expected to like this one as well. I had to force myself to read the first half of the story because I felt as if Gilman was bashing me over the head with her credentials - Brown graduate with big boobs and big personality takes on the world! - and this became tedious. Thankfully, the second half of the book improved. Gilman and her college friend were brave and stupid to travel to China and naive and stupid to do some of the things they did, but their travels make for an adventurous story. I abhor the cover on the paperback - it's only purpose is titillating because the photo (and title of the book for that matter) really does not match what the book is about. Shame on Gilman and the publisher for pandering to (and tricking)audiences in this way. "

" I was immediately taken in, identifying with the clueless arrogance of Americans abroad. Immediately it became apparent that this was much more than that, and her insight into the area and time period in which they found themselves, total fish out of water, were fascinating to me. When the (real) mystery becomes apparent, I could not put the book down. The hospital experience was terrifying to me, so I can't even imagine having to live it. I highly recommend this. "

" Even though this book was my pick for bookclub, I was wondering how much I would like it. I'm relieved to say I did enjoy it. Can't wait to discuss it. "

" This was a fun romp and knowing it's a true story made up for lack of literary style. It also filled me with joy to read about the kindness of strangers, a gave me a big dose of wanderlust. "

" 1986, China. Susie and her new friend Claire just graduated from Brown and are ready to take on the world. After Susie saves up money waiting tables, and Claire relaxes at her family's vacation house all summer, they take off to China to begin their adventures. What could go wrong? This true account of a young woman's adventures in a land where no one speaks your langauge, and has likely never seen a tall white person, takes a dark turn when the two girls begin to unravel. Who would you trust? Note: this travel account does not make you want to book your next vacation to Beijing! "

" A travelogue that reads like a novel, this book is wonderful. Susan and her friend are traveling through China not long after it had been opened to backpackers. Their journey makes for riveting reading. I couldn't put it down. "

" Amazing..loved this book. Such an interesting perspective on travelling. Reminding me of Wild... the Hiking the Pacific Trail. "

" Interesting and bizarre travel book. "

" part travel/adventure, part about growing up and becoming cognizant of the world around us. My first book by this author. I want to read everything she has writtn now.. "

" Loved loved this book:) "

" I read a brief overview of this book in a magazine and immediately loaded on my Kindle. It's about two Ivy League grads who backpack in China in 1984. The story grows more and more fascinating as one begins to descend into mental illness. Loved it!! "

" Oh. don't waste your time reading this. I was looking forward to learn cool stuff about traveling china, but she really didn't write/travel much ... "

" A great memoir! I wondered how two young college educated women could be so naive in choosing China as their jumping off place for their world tour. Maybe Clair's mess would have turned out differently if they had started somewhere else. The story moves quickly--it's a page turner! "

" I loved this book, I think it would make a great movie. It has drama, excitement and comedy all rolled into one entertaining book. "

" A complete page-turner. Validates the old adage that "truth is stranger than fiction". "

" I bought this book on a recommendation and I couldn't even finish it. I was bored to tears and felt a disconnect from all of the characters. I was going to fight my way through it but decided my time was more valuable than the roughly 12 bucks I paid for it. Ugh. "

" Enjoyable read - not what you would expect from the title or the introduction. "

" Travel story with a WICKED twist!! "

" Mrs Gilman's adventure in 87 was fascinating, electrifying, and uplifting. She and Claire definitely had an adventure of a lifetime. A book to read if you like traveling and adventure. So that should be all!!! Love the book and recommend it! "

" I really loved this book. It's a great travel book with, I think, not a lot of romanticizing. It captures the good, the bad, the ecstatic, the horrific. It's well-written. It's a good portrait of a formative period of the author's life. "

" A very interesting read for those who like to travel and are also interested in the mental health field. "

" In the 1980s, 2 College friends get drunk at an IHOP and decide to travel together around the world. China is where they head to first and have an adventure of a life time. Great story. "

" I have just moved to China a few weeks ago. It's amazing how much China has progressed forward since the early 80's. The book covers a few different areas of China. Now I really want to travel to Guilin. Sounds beautiful there. "

" Not your average travel experience book. Especially liked the last half of the book...couldn't put it down. "

" Read it for an upcoming book club discussion... The author will be there as well!!! "

" I enjoyed this book. It had a bit of the Eat, Pray Love feel to it. It was a bit of a page turner but then also left me hanging a bit. "

" I bought this book on a recommendation and I couldn't even finish it. I was bored to tears and felt a disconnect from all of the characters. I was going to fight my way through it but decided my time was more valuable than the roughly 12 bucks I paid for it. Ugh. "

" Travel story with a WICKED twist!! "

" Not what I expected at all!! A real page-turner... makes you think about who you choose as your travel companions! "

" A totally awesome, quirky, and fascinating adventure. Kept me turning pages to see "What's next?" "

" Two girls backpack in China after graduating from Brown University in 1986 when China had just been opened to independent travelers. Story of travel and friendship. "

" Incredible story. A total page-turner. "

" After college, Gilman and her friend decide to take a year traveling around the equator. In the process she discovers she doesn't know her friend at all and as she navigate traveling in communist China she must also navigate her travel mate's strange behavior. "