Scan barcode
A review by nickharrison
Blue Sky Kingdom: An Epic Family Journey to the Heart of the Himalaya by Bruce Kirkby
5.0
This book is complex, yet wonderfully easy to read. It is equal parts inspiring and honest. It tells the story of one family’s journey while simultaneously telling the stories of countless countries, villages and individuals around the world. Kirkby provides fascinating snippets of history that give ample context without launching into a textbook narrative. The story isn’t lost but rather is heightened among these educational interludes. Blue Sky Kingdom is an enlightening study in Asian history, Buddhism, globalization, family dynamics and Autism Spectrum Disorder. The ways in which Kirkby ties all of these strands together with one cohesive, compelling narrative is beyond impressive.
Kirkby’s no-bullshit narration of time spent as a foreign traveler in an ancient world is refreshingly humble. Captivating and dynamic without being overly romantic, this book is a reflection on privilege and progress – and one that thoroughly illustrates the benefits and drawbacks to both.
The dialogue between Kirkby’s kids, Taj and Bodi, is incredible. Hilarious and disarmingly insightful, it is a pleasure to read the unfiltered musings of young children on a journey that would break most of us. Blue Sky Kingdom provides and honest take on modern relationships, distraction, marriage and parenting. It also makes you want to do great things. To see the world – not so you can boast about it, but to try and glimpse the beauty that remains embedded in diverse cultures and ways of life so different from our own.
Perhaps most importantly, after putting this book down I wanted nothing more than to focus on being exactly where I was: I put my phone away, enjoyed a beer with my dad, went on a walk with my girlfriend, played frisbee with my brother in the front yard. Said hi to the neighbours. While the book takes place on the other side of the world in a remote Himalayan valley, it does not spark a maddening wanderlust or cultivate discontent with the mundane-ness of day-to-day life. Instead it inspires us to be present and grateful for where we are and what we have. For that reason alone, I believe everyone will benefit immensely from reading this book.
Kirkby’s no-bullshit narration of time spent as a foreign traveler in an ancient world is refreshingly humble. Captivating and dynamic without being overly romantic, this book is a reflection on privilege and progress – and one that thoroughly illustrates the benefits and drawbacks to both.
The dialogue between Kirkby’s kids, Taj and Bodi, is incredible. Hilarious and disarmingly insightful, it is a pleasure to read the unfiltered musings of young children on a journey that would break most of us. Blue Sky Kingdom provides and honest take on modern relationships, distraction, marriage and parenting. It also makes you want to do great things. To see the world – not so you can boast about it, but to try and glimpse the beauty that remains embedded in diverse cultures and ways of life so different from our own.
Perhaps most importantly, after putting this book down I wanted nothing more than to focus on being exactly where I was: I put my phone away, enjoyed a beer with my dad, went on a walk with my girlfriend, played frisbee with my brother in the front yard. Said hi to the neighbours. While the book takes place on the other side of the world in a remote Himalayan valley, it does not spark a maddening wanderlust or cultivate discontent with the mundane-ness of day-to-day life. Instead it inspires us to be present and grateful for where we are and what we have. For that reason alone, I believe everyone will benefit immensely from reading this book.