pigs4beginners's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Infertility, Medical content, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Body horror, Child death, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Sexism
Moderate: Grief, Colonisation, Incest, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Trafficking
paulap's review
medium-paced
3.0
Interesting and compelling story of Tsomo throughout her unfortunate life. She was a poor woman in Bhutan that through some unfortunate event travels and develops her life in unexpected ways. I enjoyed it, although I don't know how much it would stay in my memory.
nithyasrin's review against another edition
3.0
This is an impressive book as it is the first one by a female author out of Bhutan. Learnt a lot about Bhutanese culture.
masu_reads's review against another edition
5.0
The Circle of Karma tells the story of Tsomo, who grows up in a small Bhutanese village. Being the daughter of a very religious man, she keeps her strong faith throughout her – often difficult life – but, unlike her brothers, she is not permitted to learn how to read and write. Tsomo’s life is dictated by decisions that people around her take; being acutely aware of her own short-comings of being a woman in a patriarchal society as well as being illiterate, Tsomo only makes her own decisions when life leaves her no other chance.
Kunzang Choden does not paint a very positive picture of the relationship between men and women, and a recurring and very prominent theme of the book is how women are impaired, scrutinised, and instrumentalised by the physicality of their bodies and their function as child-bearers. Tsomo’s mother dies during child-birth, Tsomo gives birth to a dead child, Tsomo’s best friend needs to go through a purification ritual because she got pregnant without being married, while the father of the child gets away without repercussions.
At the end of the book, Tsomo finds her happiness in religion; although it stays unclear whether she really finds happiness or if her escape to religion is motivated by the same themes as her life choices before – obedience, clinging to certain people as her saviours, search for meaning. In the end, The Circle of Karma is a book about surviving; about living through tough times and not despairing when things don’t seem to get better. And while Tsomo’s life does not become perfect by the end of the story, she learns to live with each and every obstacle life puts in her way.
I would absolutely love to see this book made into a gigantic Hollywood movie, and I hope that many more people will find their way to this wonderful book.
Kunzang Choden does not paint a very positive picture of the relationship between men and women, and a recurring and very prominent theme of the book is how women are impaired, scrutinised, and instrumentalised by the physicality of their bodies and their function as child-bearers. Tsomo’s mother dies during child-birth, Tsomo gives birth to a dead child, Tsomo’s best friend needs to go through a purification ritual because she got pregnant without being married, while the father of the child gets away without repercussions.
At the end of the book, Tsomo finds her happiness in religion; although it stays unclear whether she really finds happiness or if her escape to religion is motivated by the same themes as her life choices before – obedience, clinging to certain people as her saviours, search for meaning. In the end, The Circle of Karma is a book about surviving; about living through tough times and not despairing when things don’t seem to get better. And while Tsomo’s life does not become perfect by the end of the story, she learns to live with each and every obstacle life puts in her way.
I would absolutely love to see this book made into a gigantic Hollywood movie, and I hope that many more people will find their way to this wonderful book.
clarereadstheworld's review
4.5
This is a tragically sad, but ultimately peaceful novel about one woman's journey through life, from hardship and misfortune, to happiness and acceptance.
.
Tsomo is born in rural Buthan, and spends her early years working hard in the fields and the house with her mother and siblings. After the death of her mother, and the failure of her first marriage Tsomo leaves the small village where she grew up to travel across Bhutan and into India. Along the way she makes many friends, and picks up a second husband who treats her only slightly better than her first one.
.
Choden has a very distinct oratory narrative style, so reading this book was like listening to someone tell you the story. I found this a bit hard to get to grips with in the beginning, but by the end of the book I really enjoyed it. I did find two grammatical errors in the translation which really jarred, but maybe I'm being a bit too picky!
.
What is beautiful about this novel is how much you learn about Bhutan while reading it. Every element of Bhutanese culture seeps through the pages, from the food, to clothing and religious practices. The descriptions are so vivid I really felt like I was there standing next to Tsomo every step of the way.
.
This novel also explores the precious position of women. Tsomo suffers greatly in life because of the fact the she is a woman. However, her strong belief in Karma means that she bears everything that happens to her with a peaceful acceptance. I'm torn as to whether this is a good thing, as it brings her peace, or whether I would rather she rage against the oppressive system.
.
Overall a great dip into Bhutanese culture, and especially the life of Bhutanese women. A great read.
.
Tsomo is born in rural Buthan, and spends her early years working hard in the fields and the house with her mother and siblings. After the death of her mother, and the failure of her first marriage Tsomo leaves the small village where she grew up to travel across Bhutan and into India. Along the way she makes many friends, and picks up a second husband who treats her only slightly better than her first one.
.
Choden has a very distinct oratory narrative style, so reading this book was like listening to someone tell you the story. I found this a bit hard to get to grips with in the beginning, but by the end of the book I really enjoyed it. I did find two grammatical errors in the translation which really jarred, but maybe I'm being a bit too picky!
.
What is beautiful about this novel is how much you learn about Bhutan while reading it. Every element of Bhutanese culture seeps through the pages, from the food, to clothing and religious practices. The descriptions are so vivid I really felt like I was there standing next to Tsomo every step of the way.
.
This novel also explores the precious position of women. Tsomo suffers greatly in life because of the fact the she is a woman. However, her strong belief in Karma means that she bears everything that happens to her with a peaceful acceptance. I'm torn as to whether this is a good thing, as it brings her peace, or whether I would rather she rage against the oppressive system.
.
Overall a great dip into Bhutanese culture, and especially the life of Bhutanese women. A great read.
rhodaj's review against another edition
4.0
This book was my read the world selection for Bhutan.
Circle of Karma follows Tsomo from childhood to when she is elderly. As a child Tsomo wants nothing more than to be educated and to learn religion, however this is denied as she is a girl.
Tsomo’s life is initially quite difficult and an event forces her to leave home and her family and travel off on her own, where life is not very easy for her, however she continues to move on and put it all down to her karma.
When it seems her life almost reaches a crisis point, she once again puts it down to karma and embarks on a spiritual journey that takes her to India, Nepal and other parts of Bhutan, and she is eventually ordained as a nun. Here she finally finds peace in her life.
I really enjoyed this book and there is rich detail about Bhutanese culture, traditions, clothing and food. Although the story is not at all plot heavy, it was the perfect book to learn more about the fascinating country of Bhutan. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Circle of Karma follows Tsomo from childhood to when she is elderly. As a child Tsomo wants nothing more than to be educated and to learn religion, however this is denied as she is a girl.
Tsomo’s life is initially quite difficult and an event forces her to leave home and her family and travel off on her own, where life is not very easy for her, however she continues to move on and put it all down to her karma.
When it seems her life almost reaches a crisis point, she once again puts it down to karma and embarks on a spiritual journey that takes her to India, Nepal and other parts of Bhutan, and she is eventually ordained as a nun. Here she finally finds peace in her life.
I really enjoyed this book and there is rich detail about Bhutanese culture, traditions, clothing and food. Although the story is not at all plot heavy, it was the perfect book to learn more about the fascinating country of Bhutan. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
daphnerieke's review against another edition
3.0
3,5 sterren
Bhutan - check.
Lekker leesbaar boek over de rol van karma in het leven van Tsomo. Het heeft me niet heel veel geleerd over Bhutan, maar heb vooral genoten van de kleine Boeddhistische inzichtjes.
Mooi.
Bhutan - check.
Lekker leesbaar boek over de rol van karma in het leven van Tsomo. Het heeft me niet heel veel geleerd over Bhutan, maar heb vooral genoten van de kleine Boeddhistische inzichtjes.
Mooi.
chaoticmissadventures's review against another edition
3.0
Great to read about everyday life from an area where not much is translated and brought to the west. The main character Tsomo is one of the strongest and most interesting women in modern literature I have encountered. She goes through so much and is easily relatable with her constant questioning of her self and her purpose.
I am wishing the copy I had access to was better edited, it was distracting to have to wonder what words the author ment to use (soap or soup? constitution or concentration?)
It is a wonderful story about keeping on, and finding your strength.
I am wishing the copy I had access to was better edited, it was distracting to have to wonder what words the author ment to use (soap or soup? constitution or concentration?)
It is a wonderful story about keeping on, and finding your strength.
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