The reason that I have to give this book only one star? I didn't finish it. This is a really rare occurrence for me and I usually love travel writing, but I completely lost interest in this one about a third of the way through. The book reads like the author just decided to publish the journal that he kept while on his trip to Tibet. There are no memorable people, no fascinating descriptions of places, and no insightful historical or social commentary. The book is for the most part just stream-of-consciousness narrative about his thoughts regarding his family history and own mortality, with a few social/historical observations that feel half-hearted.

I keep giving Colin Thubron's books a try, but I come away disappointed every time. I'd rather spend my time with travel writers like Paul Theroux or Robert A. Kaplan, whose books (particularly Dark Star Safari and To the Ends of the Earth) have deeply affected me and made me really think about the places and people that they've visited. This book just isn't what I personally expect good travel writing to be.