Sky Burial by Xinran
I’m not sure how I discovered Sky Burial by Xinran. I think I simply visited my library’s catalog and searched for author’s beginning with X. Xinran’s full name is Xinran Xue but goes by just her first name (double bonus with the X’s though!). When I read the description of this wonderful book I knew it was for me! I was a tad nervous when I went to pick it up because of the little heart sticker on the spine saying it was categorized as romance. I’ve never really read anything with that little heart sticker as it makes me picture busty and scantly dressed men and woman on the cover. But not to worry, Sky Burial was as romantic as it gets but in a very Asian way. If fact the subtitle is “An Epic Love Story of Tibet.” And in every way Sky Burial is an epic love story. And from what I gather, Xinran based this story on her real life encounter with Wen, who told her her story.
The time: 1950.
The place: China.
Shu Wen and Kejun are married and love each other fiercely. Three weeks into their marriage Kejun receives orders in the army as a doctor to travel into Tibet. Less than a hundred days later Wen receives news that her new husband has died in an “incident.” Wen is unable to find answers and still believes that Kejun is still alive. She joins the army as a means to travel into Tibet to find out for herself. Her unit is attacked and she finds herself on her own. Wen doesn’t know the language or the customs, but finds refuge in the company of a Tibetan woman, Zhuoma (on her own journey as well). They in turn are rescued by a nomadic Tibetan family and as they move from place to place, she continually seeks answers about her husband’s death. Wen’s journey lasts more than thirty years in the vast, empty and silent landscape that is Tibet.
I found myself drawn into the story of Sky Burial by Xinran. Beautifully written, I felt drawn back into another time and place and learned much of the hardships and simple beauty of the Tibetan people. A very enjoyable read. Xinran also wrote The Good Women of China, a book that I now would like to read as well.
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Category: Adult, Book Reviews, Fiction
Tags: China, female author, Fiction, Q-T Title, U-Z Author
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Sounds like an interesting book. I will have to look for it, especially since I think I need an author with a name that starts with X for the A-Z challenge.
on May 16th, 2008 at 9:38 amOh Natasha, thank you! I don’t think this ever would have caught my eye, but after your review, I’m sold! I really, really hope our library has this one!
on May 16th, 2008 at 9:54 amThis sounds like a wonderful book! It’s a “heart” book that I think I would really like based on your beautiful description.
on May 16th, 2008 at 12:39 pmWow! This sounds like an excellent book. Just my type of “romance” novel.
I think I’ll see if I can’t mooch it…
on May 16th, 2008 at 1:21 pmHi Maw, did you receive the e-mail I sent you? I just want to make sure I sent it to the correct address! Thanks
on May 16th, 2008 at 3:26 pmI’ve been looking for an X book as well. Thanks. I’ll have to check this one out.
on May 16th, 2008 at 6:23 pmSounds beautiful! Wow, an X author, huh? I think that is the one letter missing completely out of my library (although I think I only have 1 Y and 1 Z author). I’ve been told there are some “romances” that aren’t quite so smutty.
I get embarrassed reading them, though, and if I can’t read it at work during lunch–forget it. I’ll have to look out for this one!
on May 17th, 2008 at 5:24 amI’ve had this book on my TBR. Maybe I need to get to it sooner rather than later.
on May 18th, 2008 at 5:43 pmHmm sounds good… I was reminded a little bit of Disney’s Mulan, which is one of my favorite Disney movies. Another for my TBR pile.
on May 19th, 2008 at 4:18 pmI hope everybody likes it. I don’t think I would have discovered this one if it wasn’t for the A-Z challenge.
on May 27th, 2008 at 10:05 pm[...] Maw Books Blog [...]
on August 2nd, 2008 at 9:03 amYou’re not the only one who picked up this book on the basis of as “X” for the A to Z challenge! I did too.
Glad I did though
it’s a wonderful book. 
on August 2nd, 2008 at 9:08 amI had to read this book for school my teachers loved it… but it didnt appeal to most of the other yr 12 students
on April 26th, 2009 at 3:36 am