You may know Barbara Demick from her excellent book on North Korea, called “Nothing to Envy. Real Lives in North Korea”. This time, Demick invites us to learn about Ngaba — the cultural and spiritual heart of Tibet. From 2009 on, a series of self-immolations has been taking place in Ngaba, as a means of protest against the aggressive colonization of Tibet by China. The self-immolations are typically performed by young Tibetans, often monks. What makes them engage in such an unusual form of protest? And is this method “working” for Tibet in any sense? These questions motivated Demick to embark on a complicated and dangerous journey to Ngaba.
„Eat the Budda” is a prime example of blending reportage and historical research. Although Demick is a journalist, her book can be compared to historical works by John Dower and Christopher Harding. For those who are new to the topics of history and politics of Tibet and the Tibetan diaspora, Demick’s book will be a perfect starting point. But readers more advanced in the subject also should not miss out on “Eat the Budda” — it is a must read for all fans of Tibetan culture.
Demick managed to describe an incredibly complex social and political situation in the region. The fate of Ngaba and the entire Tibet are shown from the perspective of nearly all points in the social ladder, displaying a range of political attitudes and value systems. As a result, the emerging story is wonderfully rich, but also genuine, and the questions which Demick asked in the beginning of her investigation dissolve as our understanding of Tibet develops.
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