Dreaming Annapurna

by Leon David Dunn

Joseph Dixon, a seasoned traveler, is drawn to the ethereal ruggedness of the Himalayas. But it's the turn of the millennium and the Maoist People's War has been quietly tearing Nepal apart. As a volunteer, Joseph settles into the Myagdi district of Nepal, a good two days walk to anywhere he would consider civilization. In the tiny village of Rinrut he meets young Kunjana, a wartime orphan whose parents have been killed by Maoists. Once the violence overflows into Myagdi and Kunjana is attacked, Joseph, trying to give this young child a chance at a life in Kathmandu plots her escape. Joseph's noble intentions have consequences far greater than he could have imagined. After trekking the famed but increasingly hostile Annapurna Circuit trek, and upon his return home, Joseph is forced to come to terms with himself and his connection to the Kingdom in the Clouds. Author Leon David Dunn was born and raised in Windsor, Ontario. After studying philosophy at university, he left North America for an 11 -year, around-the-world adventure which allowed him to call home places as varied as England, Scotland, Italy, Australia, and Japan. In 2002 he spent six months in India and Nepal. Starting his journey in a volunteer home, he then travelled north to trek the Annapurna Circuit during the height of the Maoist People's War. He currently lives in Vancouver, B.C Canada. Fiction, Nepal, Adventure, Maoists, War, Trekking, Volunteering, Village, Struggle, Annapurna

228 pages, Paperback

First published May 14, 2013

About the author

Leon David Dunn was born and raised in Windsor, Ontario. After studying philosophy at university, he left North America for an 11 -year, around-the-world adventure which allowed him to call home places as varied as England, Scotland, Italy, Australia, and Japan.


During this time he was lucky to visit many amazing countries, and in 2002 he spent six months in India and Nepal. Starting his journey in a volunteer home, he then traveled north to trek the Annapurna Circuit during the height of the Maoist People’s War.

He currently lives in Vancouver, B.C Canada.

Reviews

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dreaming Annapurna is not your typical story of traveling to a far off land to volunteer, building houses or teaching English or some other needed job, while finding yourself. It is a young man's journey to do some volunteer work and finding himself in the midst of a country at war.Defending a little girl who had found a place in his heart, he ended up running for his life. Then another adventure begins when he meets a beautiful Aussie girl and decides to hike with her on a very long a well traveled path,only this time is different. It's that war again. He and Skye ( the Aussie girl) hike miles and miles suffering through adventure after adventure. Having completed the trail, they go their separate ways, home. At home his family notices a change in him, something they can't quite put their finger on. He sees the little girl he tried to save everywhere. The little girl he lost as she ran into the forest while he was brutalized by some soldiers. Finally, his family realizes they need to get him help. As he sits staring out the hospital window, all he can think of is he needs to go back. And there is so much more. I read the book in one day; I couldn't stop turning the pages. I had to find out what happened next. You grew to love the characters and at times it felt like you were with them, without having to endure the pain and suffering they went through.

[Wendall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delve into the mind of someone who is losing it. Or did he ever have it? Joseph begins his self exploration in Nepal, a country in the midst of a war, though the book doesn't take sides per se, it does give you a feeling as to where the author's political ideas lay. The young girl he desperately tries to save could be a metaphor for his sanity (that's what I kept thinking anyway).

His adventures afterwards give us a few different people representing a broad scope of people. Wanna be hippies traveling the 'road'.

All in all, it was a good read and I would recommend it to anyone who has or hasn't traveled over seas.

[Mccarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been meaning to write a review for a while now, so here it goes.

Very good book. I was eager to grab the book nightly before bed and was upset that I finished it so quickly. Joseph's journey had me there with him. The very vivid descriptions of the mountain scenery had me enthralled. A shame about the little girl in red jogging pants but it makes me wonder if another book is to come? A very good book from an author I will definitely keep an eye out for.

[Vanreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the descriptive narration of this book. I have been to Nepal and this brought back lots of memories. I wasn't there during the war of course, for obvious reasons, but I felt this book didn't necessarily deal with the war itself, it didn't pick a side. Dreaming Annapurna isn't really about war, it's about choices we make and how they affect us, and the people we care about. Great Read.

[David Mckay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Free e-book!? Hell, yes. A very well written book. I applaud the author for not going the 'ordinary' way. The descriptions towards the end will be very familiar to anyone who has lived the small town life. I felt for Joseph, I really wanted him to make it, or at least get back and save the little Kunjana. For free, or not, this was a very good read.

[Chris D · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very well written book. An inside look at a young man's journey and exploration of a country in the midst of a civil war.