BLurb from the back of the book:

"Born in the Tibetan countrysideduring the Chinese occupation, Soname Yangchen had little time to enjoy a real childhood. For her own safety, her parents sent her to Lhasa where he became a child slave, exploited and deprived of affection. Aged 16, Soname escaped from Tibet, risking death in a 6-week trek for freedom across the Himalayas. With Buddhist monks for company, she faced near starvation and the perpetual threat of discovery by Chinese soldiers. Relying on sheer willpower she reached Kathmandu in Nepal, then made her way to Dharamsala in north Indian. home of the Dalai Lama.

Soname's escape did not immeadiately herald happier times. At her lowest point, she was destitute and forced to give up her young daughter. But despite being tormented with guilt and heartache, Soname's spirit and spontaneous nature was not surpresed for long.

In this inspiring autobiography, set against the beautiful backdrop of a turbultent Tibet, we learn about a different culture and way of life and witness how one woman's indomitable spirit sustaines her through desperate circumstances, heartache, international singing success and, at last, reunion with her lost family."

A beautiful book. Stories like these always put all my woes and problems in perspective, and I continue to find the human spirit amazing. Soname's story was about a Tibet from the 1970's onwards, which marries well with the other wonderful book "Sky Burial" which looks at a Chinese woman's life in Tibet from the 1950's onwards, giving another perspective of Tibetan life and spirituality.

More information on Soname .

I'm starting a bookring for this book - Australia-only at this stage. I hope it is enjoyed by all.

What to do when you receive the book:

1. Add a journal to let us know that you’ve received it ok.
2. Send a Private message (PM) the next person to get their mailing address so there won’t be any waiting once you finish the book. If they don’t respond within 10 days, let me know if they are no longer interested or want to be moved down the list
3. PM the next reader for their address
3. Read the book within 4 weeks and then add a journal with your thoughts on the book - be honest!
4. Send the book to the next person and journal that you’ve sent it on it’s way.

What if you’re too other swamped with book commitments and it is almost my turn!? If you find yourself in this situation PM me and I’ll move you a few notches down the list, if it’s feasible.

Order of Reading is:

* catsalive (Rooty Hill, NSW)
* -Bodhi- (Gymea, NSW)(from wishlist)
* gabbysmum (Brisbane, Qld)
* Tiddley (Brisbane, Qld)
* frangipani08 (Brisbane, Qld)
* crimson-tide (Balingup,WA)
* Carole888 (Perth, WA)
* ukcanaus (Melbourne, VIC)
* back to me (**THE BOOK IS BACK HOME AGAIN **)

RELEASE NOTES:

Heading off to the 1st reader on this bookring - catsalive - hope you enjoy the book!

Thanks, aleonblue. I'm reading a "thriller" set in Tibet right now - a bookring, Bone Mountain by Eliot Pattison, which would be better for more action & less discourse on Tibetan culture & depredations on that culture by the Chinese. I 'm sure I'll enjoy Soname's story though.

Soname was so young and had such a hard, brutal life, and yet she rarely let her circumstances pull her down. Quite an amazingly strong young woman who battled her way out of Tibet only to fall on more hard times. I was so happy when she met Marc and Michael - at last, some well-deserved happiness.

It is a beautiful book, a story of hope, inspirational. I agree with aleonblue, it does bring one's troubles into perspective to read about those who have or have had real suffering in their lives.

Thanks aleonblue. I'll get this off to -Bodhi- ASAP.

Posted to -Bodhi- this morning.

Woohoo this arrived yesterday but I didnt get a chance to journal it. Can't wait to read this one :)

What a fantastic book!
Last year I read Fire under the Snow which is the autobiography of Palden Gyatso, a tibetan monk, who was arrested in 1959 after taking part in a non-violent demonstration for Tibetan independence. It was an incredibly moving book as was this one. It was very interesting to hear about the destruction of Tibet and its personal repurcussions from a female perspective. Soname is certainly one of the strongest women I have ever read about. Like aleonblue I love books like this because they remind me about the beauty of the human spirit and put my personal problems in perspective. Will pass it on to crimson-tide asap.

Posted off to gabbysmum today :)

Received today will get to it as soon as I can

A brilliant book about an amazing woman and her journey.My heart went out to her when she was a young child and shipped off to be basically a slave.Her life has been so hard and so painful,to give her child away was a heart renching decision.Iam glad things have turned out alright.She has the most incredible voices it is truely beautiful.

I enjoyed a look into Tibet,a country that has fasinated for years.

RELEASE NOTES:

On its way to Tiddley,so sorry about the delay

Received this one from Gabysmum, can't wait to get to it,

Thoroughly enjoyed this one, will pass it on to frangipanni8 at the next meet at Nundah

Received from Tiddley at the meetup at the Nundah Coffee Club. Will read this one after Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows!!

I'm sorry, I'd forgotten this one was a bookring - it was in the wrong pile! Will read it after the one I am on now! SORRY!!

This is a moving story about overcoming obstacles and hardship whilst Soname still retains her faith and courage. It helps to keep our own "problems" in perspective! Thanks, Aleonblue for sharing this book.

Sending on its way to crimson-tide today with another book.

Arrived safely today, along with a couple of friends. Looks fascinating.
Thanks everyone.

An amazing story! Her life thus far has had so many dark patches and yet also so many episodes of light and joy. She certainly is a resilient woman. Her attitude can certainly teach us all so much if we are prepared to look outside our own small worlds. I know I've lots to learn.

Back to aleonblue - unless someone else puts up their hand for this one very soon.

We have two new bookring members - great.
I'm just waiting on an address from Carole888 and then the book will be on it's way.

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Posted Monday 5th November.

The book arrived today with another. (How wonderful to receive them!) It looks very interesting and I can't wait to start reading. Thank you!

I don't get a chance to read much about Tibet so I enjoyed reading this beautiful book. A few years ago, I saw a foreign film called Windhorse which was set in Tibet (political drama), with parts of it secretly filmed there. I also read an interesting book called "Seven Years in Tibet" by Heinrich Harrer which is about an Austrian POW who spent time in Tibet when WW2 broke out....just before the Chinese take-over .... more about Tibet from a different point of view. Thank you aleonblue for sharing it with us all. I am waiting to hear from ukcanaus before sending the book on.

Book arrived safely. Thanks for sending it to me, Carole888 - I look forward to reading this very soon :)

This was a very interesting read - a fascinating insight into Tibetan culture (I am still thinking about her mother's funeral!). Soname's story was inspiring, and I am glad that she was reunited with her daughter - after all her experiences, particularly as a child-slave, she certainly deserves much happiness.

Thanks very much, aleonblue, for sharing; it is now on its way back to you.

THis book arrived home again after landing in my mailbox this afternoon - along with a nice little companion!

Thanks to all who participated in the bookring - I've enjoyed reading your journals.

Happy New Year to all for 2008!

This little book appears to have gone on a journey of it's own - lent to a colleague who gave to another to return to me, and then they left the organisation! Hope it enjoys its future travels...