196 Books: Bhutan

The Hero with a Thousand Eyes, Karma Ura

That's Bhutan. I don't love this map, because it doesn't give you much of an idea of how big it is and stuff. But this is one of the few places where I've had a harder (okay I didn't have to put THAT much effort into it) time finding a good map. Shrug.

Description:
This novella is set in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan in the recent past. Nevertheless, it reflects an age and a set of manners-mostly set about the court and central administration-which is now almost completely changed. This is a book about a courtier, who represented a mode of life and living which had vanished overnight, and not about the kings he served, but the reader will find rich detail on all aspects of life in Bhutan. 
The plot is a relatively simple one. A reincarnation is born in central Bhutan with prospects of a quiet and uneventful religious life in a small but lively rural community. By happenstance, he is allowed to serve first at the court of the second King, and later in the wider administration of the country. He achieves high position. By the time of his voluntary retirement, Bhutan is already caught up in increasingly rapid economic, social, political, and cultural changes. 

It goes on a little more to praise the book, but that's probably enough.

This book...okay. I have to admit that I read a couple other reviews and they're tainting mine. On the other hand, they kind of took my feelings about the book and put them into words. This book was very blah. Though the summary says it's a novella, that's not really a good word for it. It's over 350 pages an doesn't have much of a story line. It's more of a report than a narrative.

I did keep having to remind myself that it mostly took place in the mid-1900s; it seemed more like the mid-1800s with no cars, no real financial system, and a strong kingdom heirarchy. So that was kind of interesting I guess. I also had no idea what was going on half the time. People's names seemed to change with their position in the government, and some of the stuff I tried to look up didn't have much of a description.

There's not a whole lot super likable about the main character/narrator: he gets promoted a bunch but doesn't seems to do the bare minimum in his job, breaks up a few marriages and then *whoops* has to marry the women himself (after divorces of course), and gets himself into financial difficulties which other people then take care of.

The narrator works in the government for over 40 years and has nothing but wonderful things to say about everything. Each king is wonderful and generous, they do nothing but advance and improve the country in strides, every civil servant is hardworking and earnest, everyone just wants the best for everyone else. I mean is a story even really a story without any conflict?

Meh.I did kind of rush to finish this so I could start the new one before we head to Hawaii. So excited! And you know you'll be hearing all about it. So...Aloha!