Bone Mountain (Paperback)

The main impression one gets is of a gentle religious teaching disguised as a mystery novel. If one is open to Mr. Pattison's exposition of Tibetan Buddhism, which seems entirely consistent with the other readings and experiences of your reviewer, an admitted outsider, one cannot help but admire the compassion and gentleness of most of the Tibetan characters, and indeed of many of the Han Chinese. There are quiet miracles, small answered prayers, and descriptions of meditation that are calming to read. The cumulative effect is like walking in the mountains or hearing beautiful music, completely independent of the who-killed-the-guys theme.

The pacing of the book is better, I thought, than in Water Touching Stone. Again, there are several key geographical locations that are introduced and described. An eco-consciousness theme is more obvious than in the previous novels. The action shifts back and forth between these various locales, but this time they are close together, accessed on foot, and related historically, religously, and even geologically to each other. The modern world again intrudes, and, in fact, the integration of the timeless Tibetan religious themes with helicopters, computers, and Westerners is a real challange which by and large is handled convincingly.

The book can be read and enjoyed on several levels. Personally, I enjoyed "the journey" of Shan and his companions so much I really did not care whether the mystery was solved. I intend to buy several copies as gifts. It certainly does not shy away from politics, and I have been struggling with whether or not, and how, to present this books to Chinese people I have been priviliged to get to know. This book reminds us of one of the many horrific wars that grip our world, and points to a path that may be of great value in reducing the suffering.

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If you are by chance unfamiliar with Pattison, or either of the aforementioned novels, you could certainly jump on with BONE MOUNTAIN. Although BONE MOUNTAIN is a continuation of the themes and characters introduced and explored in THE SKULL MANTRA and WATER TOUCHING STONE, BONE MOUNTAIN stands quite well on its own, as Pattison continues to amaze and astound with some of the most compelling prose out there This is a man who has a love for the written language. while his words flow with a poetic verve that is by turns beatific and terrible --- depending on his subject matter --- this is not prose that lends itself to a hurried or cursory reading. Pattison does not satisfy accuracy at the altar of experience. The reader comes away from each sitting with BONE MOUNTAIN intellectually challenged and culturally richer, as Pattison continues to explore the land, the mystery, and the tragedy that is Tibet.

BONE MOUNTAIN continues the process of shouldering Pattison out of genre adulation and into mainstream attention. And if he brings attention through these novels to the plight of the Tibetan people, then he will accomplish the task that he perhaps set out to perform to begin with.

--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

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