The Violet Shyness of Their Eyes: Notes From Nepal

by Barbara J. Scot

Cultural Writing. Travel. Memoir. Revised Edition 2005. Ranging across mountains and memories, Scot's classic journal of her experiences in Nepal in 1990 is now published in a revised edition that includes reflections on a return trip in 2004. "Scot's year in Nepal was extraordinary. What she discovered about herself, about Nepal and the Nepalis is beautifully told"--Seattle Times. "THE VIOLET SHYNESS OF THEIR EYES will enter your heart, and stay"--Margaret Randall.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Memoir, Asia, International

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting and insightful account of Barbara Scot's year-plus teaching in Nepal, although its themes aren't unique. Like many volunteers, she went to Nepal in the spirit of "giving back" and with the hope of finding some part of herself. She gained invaluable insight into what Nepal has to offer, which is oft overlooked due to Western ethnocentrism (from Westerners and Nepalis alike). Scot is drawn to the women, who are regarded as second class citizens; she notes as a child and young adult in the US, women were not treated much better. Her delight in discovering the beauty and magic of Nepal and its people is palpable. Although she doubted her contribution to Nepal was more than "superfluous", her love and concern for Nepalis was genuine. Perhaps her biggest contribution was her belief in the Nepalis themselves.

[Vincent Ribeiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! A spectacular meditative journey of reflection on Barbara's year-long stay in Nepal, observing with a keen and inquisitive eye the lives of Nepali women, their customs in both comparison and differences to Western cultures, taking with her (and sharing with her readers) a profound experience that teaches countless lessons on love, family, education and happiness. Barbara reflects on moments during her childhood in the U.S., and gives us an intimate account of what it means to struggle with meaning in life while sharing beautiful, sensible anecdotes on her experiences with her new family in Nepal.

[Bullet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was going to be written with more of a feminist slant and it wasn't, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It was a well-written book done in honest travel journal style, and I appreciated that Scot included her own prejudices and insights into what she admits is a very different world. There were some odd italicized portions that didn't always seem to flow with the rest of the book, because they were memories or dreams. This gave the book a voyeuristic feel. It was bold of her to publish it with these inclusions.

[Darlene · Rating 2 out of 5]

A 40-something Western woman takes her mid-life crisis to Nepal in 1990, and manages to heal among the magnificent Himalayas, the poverty of the people, and her volunteer teaching. The developing nation cultural bits rang true, the birding hikes bored, and the status of Nepali women and castes, of frail infrastructure and terraced-agriculture economics and environmental pollution persevere.

[dianne b. · Rating 4 out of 5]

what one American woman learns from the women of Nepal while teaching and living there for a year - the year of Gulf War One.
we have so much to learn from ancient cultures and so little to give.
well written and (for me) difficult to put down.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a long-ago choice of my local book club. More than just a travelogue, Scot takes particular note of how women and children are treated in Nepal. It’s an incredibly moving book—well worth a reread.

[Rena Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great narrative of a woman traveling in Tibet, and the personal journey she also includes.

[J.D. Steens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read book on the author's one year teaching experience in Pokhara, Nepal in the early 1990s. The author reflects on this and that, including the dilemma of a Western "development" worker facing Nepali cultural practices and goals. With a couple of exceptions (her dislike for animal sacrifice and the treatment of women), she defers heavily to Nepal finding its way in the world versus having it fit any Western model. "Nepal is not 'behind' the West," she writes. "It's just in a different place. And it has much that the West is crying for: stable families that guide children into a solid identification with their society as a whole a spirituality that pervades their daily life, and a blend between work (that's still mostly honest physical labor) and play that validates the importance of enjoying life. We should be studying them to see how we can compensate for what we've lost before they've modernized so much the they have little left to teach."

The writing is journal style, and it's somewhat uneven (she flips sometimes from Nepal to her home in the USA). I didn't see a reference to her work in Nepal as part of a Western organization. The pictures and two maps are excellent.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book and I found the first part quite satisfactory. Then came the too many detailed descriptions of the flora and fauna of Nepal and the boring parts about the author's trekkings (I have had to skip these parts)...

['jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess I have an earlier edition since my copy says 1993. Excellent book!

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very nice story of a teacher in Nepal. Delves into cultural habits and sometime objectionable practices. nicely written.

[Lena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful tips for my upcoming venture. Good to hear about some of her faux pas...Hopefully I can avoid them.

[Jonathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story of a foreigner teaching in Nepal...I just never connected with the author's perspective on their culture at all.

[Elaine Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting memoir written by a woman in mid-life who leaves her husband and grown children to teach English in Nepal.

[Thalia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A travelogue I enjoyed, although the author's tone sometimes irked me a bit. Still worth it for the descriptions of Nepal and her journeys there.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about the culture of Nepa. Read it if you are going there!

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woman volunteers in Nepal and these are her thoughts and impressions.

[Jane]

ILL

[Marsha Altman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good summary of village life in Nepal in 1979 from an okay writer who never quite explains what she was going through that made her flee to Nepal for a year before returning to her family. She does have some criticism of Western volunteers after her own experiences as one.