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From Publishers Weekly
Zeppa's story is nearly an inversion of the ancient Buddhist tale of Siddhartha (in which a prince ventures from the paradise of his father's palace only to find the suffering and decay that he never knew existed) in that the author, at the age of 22, abruptly leaves a stale life in Canada to become a volunteer teacher in the remote and largely undisturbed Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan. Cloaked in the airy mountains between India and China, Bhutan initially frustrates but eventually captivates Zeppa with its rudimentary lifestyle that forces her to question former values and plans for the future. Though the story line would seem to open itself to cloying romanticization, Zeppa's telling of her clumsy attempts to adapt rings with sincerity and inspires sympathy. She thinks to herself upon visiting a local house: "In one shadowy corner, there is a skinny chicken. I blink several times but it does not vanish. Is it a pet? Is it dinner?" Zeppa's lucid descriptions of the craggy terrain and honest respect for the daily struggles of the natives bring the tiny land to life in a way that is reverent but real. Though she tries to avoid what a friend terms "that Shangri-La-Di-Da business" and grapples with the poverty, sexism and political squabbles in Bhutan that bother her, there is little doubt that she sees the place in a largely positive light and is tempted to remain. In the end, Zeppa's is a lively tale of her earnest efforts to reconcile what she has learned with what she has known. (June)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Canadian Zeppa turned away from a secure future "to do something in the real world." When the opportunity came to teach in the remote Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan, Zeppa accepted with alacrity over the protests of her xenophobic grandfather and the lukewarm approval of her fianc?. At 22, Zeppa was unprepared for the rigors of life in the Third World. Upon arrival at her assigned junior high school in the tiny tropical village of Pema Gatshel, she was dismayed by the primitive living quarters and her own inadequacies as a teacher. But her overwhelming culture shock was eased by the charm of the Bhutanese and the beauty of the landscape. Leaving her first assignment with reluctance, Zeppa was transferred to a position at a college in the mountain town of Kanglung, became a Buddhist, and plunged into a relationship with one of her students. Her story reads like a good novel; even her youthful na?vet? has charm. Zeppa's deep affection for her adopted home makes this a special book. Highly recommended.AJanet N. Ross, Washoe Cty. Lib. Sys., Sparks, NV
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most helpful customer reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful story of a wonderful place,
By A Customer
This review is from: Beyond the Sky and the Earth: A Journey into Bhutan (Paperback)
Having just returned from one year in Bhutan, I felt the need to comment on a book that I read before I went there. Jamie does a wonderful job of capturing the spirit of Bhutan. Since I was going there as a volunteer, I found that the book was great preparation for my journey. I heard that the King of Bhutan has read the book and found that it helped him understand the role of volunteers in his country. But I also found that it is a very human and honest story. Some people may not like the level of personal honesty that is in the story, but it makes it really come alive to me. I think that any story told with this level of honesty will seem to some degree self-centered. But the story is really about Bhutan and Bhutan shines here. She truly shows the complexity of the political situation and the gentleness of the people. Bhutan is really one of the most magical places in the world. We need more stories like this one.
4.0 out of 5 stars
A view of Bhutan that is a little dated now, but still very accurate in some aspects.,
By
This review is from: Beyond the Sky and the Earth: A Journey into Bhutan (Paperback)
This book is a view of Bhutan from the late '90s. I work in Thimphu and gave this book to a friend who will be teaching here. Twelve years later, it is still accurate in many depictions of the people and the customs. However some Bhutanese seriously question the author's depiction of the troubles with the southern Bhutanese -- in fact they are quite insulted. I do believe that there is an accurate story out there. I don't believe hers, but I don't accept the government position either. I have spoken with some southern people and they do feel left out, but the troubles at the time were not as serious as she states. Anyway, the book is funny and sad in some instances and I enjoyed it.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Teach in Bhutan,
By
This review is from: Beyond the Sky and the Earth: A Journey Into Bhutan (Paperback)
A lot has changed since Jamie Zeppa taught in Bhutan - cell phones and internet are now widespread, airports are popping up all across the country, and the road systems are much better. What will never change though is the undeniable Bhutanese spirit which Zeppa captures so beautifully in this novel.20 years later Canada is still sending Canadian teachers to teach in remote public schools throughout the country through The Bhutan Canada Foundation. [...]). The need for teachers is still great and though technology has improved Bhutan still remains as one of the most remote teaching destinations in the world. Check out the website today and apply to experience the Kingdom of Bhutan as Zeppa did all those years ago.
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