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A review by ashnene
Seven Years in Tibet by Heinrich Harrer
4.0
I’ve been going through a Tibet phase. So far I’ve read books by Sir Charles Bell (worth a read), Han Suyin (propaganda), and then I discovered this one. This is a wonderful book depicting life in Tibet before the Chinese invasion. The author entered Tibet as a penniless refugee determined to penetrate the Forbidden City and left as the tutor and close friend of the Dalai Lama. The book starts with his daring escape from a PoW camp in India and describes how he tried to stay in Tibet despite official disapproval. He eventually made it to Lhasa and obtained permission to stay, spending several years among new friends.
His descriptions of social customs and monastic life are interesting and objective. While not religious himself, he maintains an open mind to the beliefs of his hosts. The Tibetans showed great hospitality, helping him settle down and he showed his gratitude by assimilating to their way of life.
The book ends with his escape after the invasion. Tibet would never be the same again. Heinrich Harrer laments the loss of independence for a peace loving people and the destruction of their society. He became one of the proponents of Tibetan independence.
The only thing I can complain is a lack of dialogue which would have made it more vivid.
A must read for anyone remotely interested in Tibet. Also recommend the movie.
His descriptions of social customs and monastic life are interesting and objective. While not religious himself, he maintains an open mind to the beliefs of his hosts. The Tibetans showed great hospitality, helping him settle down and he showed his gratitude by assimilating to their way of life.
The book ends with his escape after the invasion. Tibet would never be the same again. Heinrich Harrer laments the loss of independence for a peace loving people and the destruction of their society. He became one of the proponents of Tibetan independence.
The only thing I can complain is a lack of dialogue which would have made it more vivid.
A must read for anyone remotely interested in Tibet. Also recommend the movie.