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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
informative
medium-paced
This is a very interesting collection of memoirs, written by an American lady living in Bhutan. The contrasts between the two countries are stark, but Bhutan, without all its consumer excess and wealth, is richer in many other ways.
It's interesting (to me) that this book is written by an American. While Bhutan is not necessarily a very well-known country in the UK, I think we are more aware of the outside world than our American cousins. A point that Linda Leaming also picks up towards the end of her book. I wonder if the contrasts would have been so stark if the book were written by a British writer.
The following contains spoilers so is hidden ...
I also found it odd that the book ends with her decision to adopt Kinlay but doesn't expand any further on that decision or the new experiences in Bhutan that that would necessarily bring.
I enjoyed reading this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone who would like to know more about life in this spectacular country.
It's interesting (to me) that this book is written by an American. While Bhutan is not necessarily a very well-known country in the UK, I think we are more aware of the outside world than our American cousins. A point that Linda Leaming also picks up towards the end of her book. I wonder if the contrasts would have been so stark if the book were written by a British writer.
The following contains spoilers so is hidden ...
Spoiler
I did find it odd that none of her family attended the wedding between her and Namgay. It made me wonder if there was something she was running away from when she found solace in Bhutan, or something else going on that she didn't touch upon in the book.I also found it odd that the book ends with her decision to adopt Kinlay but doesn't expand any further on that decision or the new experiences in Bhutan that that would necessarily bring.
I enjoyed reading this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone who would like to know more about life in this spectacular country.
Delightful. Enjoyed her stories & observations of Bhutan. Grateful that most of the book focuses on her personal experience with only a few brief passages veering into a somewhat “preachy” tone towards those of us still living in America. I’m recommending this one.
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
My first experience of Bhutan (other than vaguely knowing that they exist somewhere in the Himalayas) was when they were one of the cultures featured at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in 2008. I found the presentations I attended very interesting, but I knew I would never actually make it to Bhutan for a visit. Linda Leaming, on the other hand, gave up her entire life in the U.S. to move to Bhutan after visiting the country for just two weeks while on a longer tour of South Asia and Europe.
This book tells how Leaming settled into her new life in Bhutan and expresses her love of Bhutanese culture. I appreciate that Leaming, while noting the many differences between American and Bhutanese culture, is careful to stress that one is not inherently better than the other: "It's not really fair to compare the two countries, as they are like apples and oranges. Americans think the way they do for good reasons, as do the Bhutanese. But it is important to understand that people elsewhere think differently, and being aware of this and flexible about how one thinks can alleviate some discontent and, dare I say it, even make us happier."
An interesting book about an interesting country.
This book tells how Leaming settled into her new life in Bhutan and expresses her love of Bhutanese culture. I appreciate that Leaming, while noting the many differences between American and Bhutanese culture, is careful to stress that one is not inherently better than the other: "It's not really fair to compare the two countries, as they are like apples and oranges. Americans think the way they do for good reasons, as do the Bhutanese. But it is important to understand that people elsewhere think differently, and being aware of this and flexible about how one thinks can alleviate some discontent and, dare I say it, even make us happier."
An interesting book about an interesting country.
Really enjoyed this memoir and learning about the "civility" of Bhutan. This is a subtle read. For people who enjoy other cultures, especially Buddhist ones with luscious nature highly recommended. Didn't know it was a Hay House title until the very end of the ebook!
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
adventurous
informative
reflective
slow-paced