Gyalo Thondup

This is an intriguing read on the levels of personal memoir, politics, history, and storytelling. It is knowingly provocative and, it seems, as honest as possible about the disagreements it provokes. The writer notes not just the necessity of multiple perspectives on complex situations, but also what may be done to keep filling in more perspectives (which are where info/data comes from). In other words, hear and articulate what is remembered, documented, and collaborated or conflicting. Weigh the authorities. Support the collection of more evidence, from more angles. Plus I learned and grew more curious about a lot of stuff. And the character is always fascinating. So, good.… (plus d'informations)

This is a good, restrained book. The most important section to read, in my view, is the afterword, where Anne Thurston specifies that the versions mentioned in the book are his version.

The book has been told - related - in a relatively restrained manner, and this is good. He has managed to steer away from sensationalism, and this I like.

Since this is his version, we have to accept it for what it is. We all have our own versions of events that take place in our lives, and Gyalo should be forgiven for writing his version. I wish he had given more insight into his wife, and her life in India. Given the fact that there has been so much hysteria about China post the 1962 war, this would have been really fascinating.

Still, the book does give valuable insight, told in a restrained manner.… (plus d'informations)