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Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven

by Susan Jane Gilman

     

A great many people dream of traveling around the world, either before college or right after graduation.

College friends Susan Jane Gilman and Claire Van Houten (not her real name) set off on their world-wide adventure by heading to the People's Republic of China in 1986.  Since there were no flights from the United States into China, they first had to travel to Hong Kong and navigate their way to Mainland China from there.  The plan was to travel rough, armed with a budget travel book called Southeast Asia on a Shoestring, along with Susan's dog-eared copy of Linda Goodman's Sun Signs.

Before too long, the enormity of the perils facing them becomes all too apparent.  They don't speak the native language, don't know how to count the currency, what to eat or how to find a decent place to sleep.  Everything is so different from the United States.  Poverty is rampant, and they find themselves gawked at, with their round eyes and pale skin.

Susan and Claire persevere and even manage to make some friendly acquaintances.  Both young women survive terrifying illness and fever, homesickness and fear. Yet Claire withdraws more and more from her friend, and often takes off on a bicycle on her own to do what she calls "research."  Claire comes from a very wealthy family and begins to mention quite frequently that the FBI, CIA and terrorist groups may be after them.  She claims to have some secret knowledge that she cannot share with Susan.

The adventures and exploits are fascinating to read about.  I felt as if I was right there with them at times, and found that I was reassured to be able to look around my own house and be safely home instead of in the dangers that they faced every day.  Susan Jane Gilman has done a marvelous job of recounting their travels, the emotions that swelled, the scenery and the food, all with vivid detail.

I really enjoyed this book very much, and believe it would be a wonderful read for both men and women, for people interested in the culture of China in the 1980's, for biography lovers, and for adults of all ages.  Bravo Susan Jane Gilman! This book is a treasure!

The Book

Grand Central Publishing / Hatchette Book Group
March 2009
Hardcover
978-0-446-57892-9
Biography
More at Amazon.com
Excerpt
NOTE:

The Reviewer

Laura Hinds
Reviewed 2009
NOTE: Reviewer Laura Hinds is an experienced freelance writer whose first novel, "Are You Gonna Eat That Banana?", just came out in 2009.
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