Thubten Samphel, information secretary (of DIIR- the Department of Information and International Relations) of the Tibetan government in exile in India, has written a fictional account of young Tibetan exiles living in India, entitled Falling through the Roof. —That’s a reference to Tibet as the “roof of the world.” The book isn’t yet available outside of India. It looks like it’s an in-depth introduction to what it feels like to fall out of your native land and end up being educated and living in a foreign culture.
I’ve had a glimpse into how exiles feel because I’ve spent hours talking with Tibetan exiles in India, but this novel sounds like a real winner.
A journalist, Rrishi Raote, has written the first real in-depth review I’ve seen of the book and gives a lot of background in an interview with Thubten Samphel.
I’m anxiously awaiting its availability in the US, or locating and buying it on my next trip to India, whichever comes first.
[Editor’s note: Interestingly, the photo of Samphel in the review/interview is one I took in 2005 at the meeting in Dharamsala, India, when the DITG was formed – I have no idea how it got into the reviewer’s hands, but he’s welcome to use it. The photo at the right is a better one snapped by Tony Hoeber later in 2005.]
Dear Sky,
Thanks for letting me use your photo — without permission! The day I met Mr Samphel our office photographer wasn’t available and my moody old camera just refused to work. I figured the DL Foundation wouldn’t have a problem with the use of that photo for this purpose — and it was the only decent one of Mr Samphel I could find on the Net. If you hover over the image on my blog you will see it does say “courtesy the Dalai Lama Foundation”. I’d be happy to credit you for it instead. Do please let me know via e-mail how you’d like to be credited.
And do read the book if you can find it — it’s quite a feat of storytelling, and full of life. I wish the publisher had worked harder to rub off the odd rough corner and to arrange publicity. And also that now they would hurry up and find a way to bring the book to other markets as well.
best,
r