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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
this book was deeply touching and inspiring. I’m filled with awe and admiration for Shu Wen, her life and most of all her determination.
I couldn’t recommend this book enough!!
I couldn’t recommend this book enough!!
I had a great deal of trouble finding an author beginning with the letter X and after reading some great reviews I settled on Sky Burial by Xinran. The story is about a Chinese woman who goes searching for her husband who joined the army and went to Tibet in the height of their conflicts. My knowledge of Chinese and Tibetan history is absolutely pants so I went into this book with no knowledge of any of it. In fact, it was the bit that I cared least about, but Shu Wen's story was magical, sad, interesting and suprising. Being introduced into this culture is fascinating and makes me want to visit Tibet and China. Wen's relationship with the Tibetan family she encounters is enlightening and is a true show of human compassion. But the most important thing in this story is Wen's relationship with her long lost husband Kejun. The lengths she goes to find him are indescribable, astonishing and are a mark of true love. The reason why I didn't give this five stars was because I struggled to understand all of the politics and the end I felt was a little disappointing and left some things open. I understand this is a true story and the author has tried to contact Shu Wen again, so maybe there will be more of her story in the future.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
A moving, inspiring and heart-breaking story which comes full-circle. Couldn't put it down. Sometimes the writing felt a bit "staccato", could be because it was translated from Chinese
This book was absolutely enthralling.
I've been studying in China for about a year and a half now, and as an American coming to an unfamiliar land, I understand the feeling of being lost and confused. I was able to empathize with Shu Wen. The simple language of the story makes it an easy read, but still manages to convey the intense spirituality of the Tibetans and the hardship of transitioning from the "modern" world to the "primitive" world. The language creates an immersive experience that is aided by knowledge (even if minimal) of China. I recognized the prayer wheels Wen talks about and I also struggled to pronounce the Tibetan names, though Mandarin flows like water off my tongue. I found my self audible gasping in surprise, shrieking in dismay, and even giggling in amusement. I one hundred percent recommend this book to other readers.
Side note: I finished Sky Burial at the end of 2014, meaning the story is not just 10, but 20 years old. I can only imagine what's become of Shu Wen, Zhuoma, and Tiananmen.
I've been studying in China for about a year and a half now, and as an American coming to an unfamiliar land, I understand the feeling of being lost and confused. I was able to empathize with Shu Wen. The simple language of the story makes it an easy read, but still manages to convey the intense spirituality of the Tibetans and the hardship of transitioning from the "modern" world to the "primitive" world. The language creates an immersive experience that is aided by knowledge (even if minimal) of China. I recognized the prayer wheels Wen talks about and I also struggled to pronounce the Tibetan names, though Mandarin flows like water off my tongue. I found my self audible gasping in surprise, shrieking in dismay, and even giggling in amusement. I one hundred percent recommend this book to other readers.
Side note: I finished Sky Burial at the end of 2014, meaning the story is not just 10, but 20 years old. I can only imagine what's become of Shu Wen, Zhuoma, and Tiananmen.
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
this is great! moving, careful and VERY economically written about a country that i previously knew very little about. now i need to pick up a tibetan history book STAT because i desperately need to know more!!!!
SKY BURIAL by Xinran is truly an epic love story. Translated from Chinese, it tells a fictionalized account of a true story about a Chinese woman, Shu Wen, who journeys to Tibet to find her missing husband, and ends up living there for decades. Her search for her husband evolved into a new love affair with a different culture and strange land. It was truly fascinating to see how this woman slowly adapted herself to a new way of life. It seemed, after a while, that she wasn't searching for her husband anymore, as much as she was searching for something greater that she herself couldn't quite pinpoint. I loved this story, but I felt like the ending was a bit to unsatisfying. It didn't really end in a way that left me wanting more (which is a good thing) as much is it just ended abruptly, with no closure. I was socked when I turned the page expected more and realized it ended.
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Is it really true? Not sure. But it's a beautiful story. More at https://kingshearte.blogspot.com/2024/06/sky-burial-xinran.html
adventurous
hopeful
informative