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This is a slow, dreamy kind of travel memoir. Colin Thubron reflects on his own life and mortality as he joins pilgrims on the trek to Kailas, an ancient sacred site in Tibet, revered by Buddhists and Hindus, but difficult to reach not only because of it's height and remoteness but also because of the political turmoil in the region between China and Tibet. There is enough traditional travel observation and physical rigor to create movement and tension, but there is also a deeper level of person
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I rate Thubron highly and have enjoyed many of his travel books. This one is shorter than most, and he is getting older. It is set in the Himalayas and Thubron's lyrical prose, thoughtful musings, open vulnerabilities and nuanced description of the pristine plus the touristy, without being judgy, shines. There is a problem of principle for me with travel books which by their very nature are not own-voices and which are dominated by white Europeans going off to "exotic" locations - so authors hav
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This is my second book by Thubron and, for the second time, I have to say that I’m not wild about his writing. What is it that you don’t like? you might ask. And I can’t put my finger on it. This is the kind of book I should like; I adore travel narratives. But once again I was not wowed by Thubron. I’m sure it is just me. I stuck with him all the way to the mountain, as Thubron described the scenery and the people and the culture. But nothing touched me emotionally.
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Apr 21, 2012
Susan Baker
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May 01, 2012
Soelo
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Nanosynergy
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Feb 17, 2013
Yiga
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Jan 09, 2018
Ryan
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Jan 14, 2020
David Howe
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Jan 02, 2021
Jocelyn
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Oct 28, 2023
Deborah
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