A hitchhiking guide to the nomadic spirit
From Heaven Lake by Vikram Seth
Book on Amazon | My review on Amazon
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed October 15, 2010
The amazing journey Vikram Seth undertook in hitchhiking from China through Tibet to India – over 3 major mountain ranges including the Himalayas, is no small feat. He writes about it without exaggerating, and makes you feel as though you were in all those places yourself: enjoying the magical moments as well as suffering through the hardships (from trivial flies and fleas, to altitude- and bureaucracy- induced sickness and headache).
The people he meets along the way, the friends he makes, the occasional bad interactions – one can totally relate with; it enriches your human experience and understanding of cultures. It is non-judgmental without being neutral or boring. I found myself enjoying his personal but lucid analysis of touchy subjects like a comparison of the Indian versus Chinese political system.
Vivid descriptions of places and scenery – from the desert sand dunes, to the bitterly cold high mountain passes, to the melting glaciers, raging rivers, mud and slush, lush green meadows and deciduous forests… I feel as though I have seen all of these in the last few days.
His language is simple, yet powerful – his prose always has that undefinable quality of poetry about it. Cannot be classified as just a travelogue, it is much more… takes your imagination on travels to far away lands, and lets you take solace in humanity and the connectedness of everything.
A book that will resonate with nomads the world over.. irrespective of the journeys you may personally take on.
