They were young, brilliant, and bold. They set out to conquer the world. But the world had other plans for them. Bestselling author Susan Jane Gilman’s new memoir is a hilarious and harrowing journey, a modern heart of darkness filled with Communist operatives, backpackers, and pancakes. In 1986, fresh out of college, Gilman and her friend Claire yearned to do something daring and original that did not involve getting a job. Inspired by a place mat at the International House of Pancakes, they decided to embark on an ambitious trip around the globe, starting in the People’s Republic of China. At that point, China had been open to independent travelers for roughly ten minutes. Armed only with the collected works of Nietzsche, an astrological love guide, and an arsenal of bravado, the two friends plunged into the dusty streets of Shanghai. Unsurprisingly, they quickly found themselves in over their heads. As they ventured off the map deep into Chinese territory, they were stripped of everything familiar and forced to confront their limitations amid culture shock and government surveillance. What began as a journey full of humor, eroticism, and enlightenment grew increasingly sinister-becoming a real-life international thriller that transformed them forever. Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven is a flat-out page-turner, an astonishing true story of hubris and redemption told with Gilman’s trademark compassion, lyricism, and wit.
About the Author:
Susan Jane Gilman is the author of Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress and Kiss My Tiara. She has written commentary for The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and Ms. magazine, among others, and her fiction and essays have received several literary awards. Though she has lived most recently in Geneva, Switzerland, and Washington, D.C., she remains, eternally, a child of New York. Go HERE for Gilman’s blog. Go HERE for Gilman’s website. Go HERE to become a fan of Gilman’s on Facebook.
My Review:
I was so pleased to be a part of this book tour.
I anxiously awaited for my copy to come in the mail.
I so admired the idea of a young woman, traveling
around the globe…experiencing life to it’s fullest.
I had to try very hard to get through this book.
The language is quite crude at times
(which at this point shouldn’t surprise me –
but dang, my Grandma never used
the word bull**** when talking to me!),
and the situations that these girls get into…
well, let’s just say – they are a mother’s nightmare.
My gosh, what were they thinking.
Uuummm, I don’t actually
think that any thinking was done.
From the moment that they stepped into the
Chungking Mansions in Kowloon,
I knew the two were doomed!
From Shanghai to The East China Sea…
from Guilin to Guangzhou… Yangshuo and Hong Kong
(where by-the-way, you can find air-conditioned taxis, McDonalds,
You are SO right: no thinking WAS done! Claire and I just plunged headlong into China thinking that we would have this lovely, romantic adventure — and without ever once stopping to consider what we might be up against. We were SO naive.
But I had to write honestly about this. There are a number of popular books right now in which women go abroad to find themselves or heal from a divorce — and they make travel seem so easy. They just "show up" in a foreign country and have this fabulous personal makeover.
I wanted to write about how travel can also be wildly humbling and difficult and disconcerting. I wanted to tell the other side of the story — that of the innocents abroad who DON'T conquer the world. It's also an amzing adventure — and yes, it really did happen. But is WAS humbling. If people are entertained, comforted, enlightened, shocked or have a good laugh at my expense — I've done my job!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read "Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven"; I'm so glad that you enjoyed it when all was said and done. I invite all readers to visit me at http://www.susanjanegilman.com and share their thoughts.
Nice comment from SJG too! It looks like an interesting story, that's for sure. I think I would like to visit China someday, both of my kids take it as a lanugage. JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
I have a friend who is from China and she has made it sound so interesting which makes me feel like I would like to go there. pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
No thanks, I do not want to visit China. If I go to a country I would want to be able to speak their language, and I don't know either of the Chinese dialects. mstlee2000 @ hotmail.com
This book sounds absolutely amazing. I was so happy to see it was open to Canadian reader. This is a must read for me. As for China, I have never been, and to be quite honest, I have no inclination to go.
I have never been to China…however, it is on my Top 5 list of places that I want to visit. Thank you for hosting this fabulous giveaway – I would be SO thrilled to win! Aimee sierranelsby (at) gmail (dot) com
I've never been to China, and never really felt driven to visit it. I might like to visit Japan though, as my parents and brother lived there before I was born.
I have never been to China & really don't have a lot of interest in going. I do, however, like to read books set in China. +2 already a follower +3 button http://pixie13-justconteststuff.blogspot.com/
I went to China in 2004 to bring my beautiful and amazing baby girl home. She is now 6 years old! China is an amazing place! I hope to go back to China when my daughter is older so she can learn more about the country where she was born.
Hhmmm..Sounds like it might be an interesting book. Guess its worth a try–if I don't like it I can always pass it along.
I've gone to China, visited for 10 days..have no desire to ever go back!
I follow
deborah150 at hotmail dot com
I follow
deborah150 at hotmail dot com
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I've not been to China but would love to go.
thank you
kaiminani at gmail dot com
I have been a follower
thank you
kaiminani at gmail dot com
1
I have been a follower
thank you
kaiminani at gmail dot com
2
Thanks for the giveaway. I have never been to China, but I have heards its beautiful.
I am an old follower.
lizzi0915 at aol dot com
i follow…and i would love to visit china. i have wanted to go to china since i was three years old… i cannot even remember being three years old. 🙂
please… pick me… pick me…
You are SO right: no thinking WAS done! Claire and I just plunged headlong into China thinking that we would have this lovely, romantic adventure — and without ever once stopping to consider what we might be up against. We were SO naive.
But I had to write honestly about this. There are a number of popular books right now in which women go abroad to find themselves or heal from a divorce — and they make travel seem so easy. They just "show up" in a foreign country and have this fabulous personal makeover.
I wanted to write about how travel can also be wildly humbling and difficult and disconcerting. I wanted to tell the other side of the story — that of the innocents abroad who DON'T conquer the world. It's also an amzing adventure — and yes, it really did happen. But is WAS humbling. If people are entertained, comforted, enlightened, shocked or have a good laugh at my expense — I've done my job!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read "Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven"; I'm so glad that you enjoyed it when all was said and done. I invite all readers to visit me at http://www.susanjanegilman.com and share their thoughts.
I have never been to China, but I think I would like to visit…but only in the company of a qualified tour guide!
kkhaas at bellsouth dot net
I am already a follower
kkhaas at bellsouth dot net
I am already a follower
kkhaas at bellsouth dot net
I would love to visit China. So much history.
freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca
+2 already follow publicly.
freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca
button on blog; http://fredamans.blogspot.com
freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca
I don't think I would like to visit China.. I've alwasy wanted to go through all of Europe though! LOL
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I'd love to visit China – someday. Thank you for the giveaway.
s.mickelson at gmail dot com
Please enter me. I've never been to China but would love to some day.
ludeluh at yahoo dot com
I am an old follower.
ludeluh at yahoo dot com
Nice comment from SJG too! It looks like an interesting story, that's for sure. I think I would like to visit China someday, both of my kids take it as a lanugage.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
I am already a follower!
Thanks.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
I am already a follower!
Thanks.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
The book sounds like an interesting read, but China would not be my first choice of someplace exotic to visit.
skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net
I have a friend who is from China and she has made it sound so interesting which makes me feel like I would like to go there.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I am already a follower (1)
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I am already a follower (2)
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
No thanks, I do not want to visit China. If I go to a country I would want to be able to speak their language, and I don't know either of the Chinese dialects.
mstlee2000 @ hotmail.com
I am a new follower
mstlee2000 @ hotmail.com
I have never been to China but would never rule out visiting if I have the chance.
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Love & Hugs,
Pam
I am a follower
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Love & Hugs,
Pam
This book sounds absolutely amazing. I was so happy to see it was open to Canadian reader. This is a must read for me.
As for China, I have never been, and to be quite honest, I have no inclination to go.
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I follow on GFC (1)
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i would like to visit china 🙂
karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com
I have never been to China…however, it is on my Top 5 list of places that I want to visit.
Thank you for hosting this fabulous giveaway – I would be SO thrilled to win!
Aimee
sierranelsby (at) gmail (dot) com
Entry #1 –> I am already following your blog (username Nelsby).
Thanks!
Aimee
sierranelsby (at) gmail (dot) com
Entry #2 –> I am already following your blog (username Nelsby).
Thanks!
Aimee
sierranelsby (at) gmail (dot) com
I've never been to China, and never really felt driven to visit it. I might like to visit Japan though, as my parents and brother lived there before I was born.
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
I follow
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I follow
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I have your button:
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I have never been to China but would love to go! cardshark42(at)hotmail)(dot)com
I follow through google friend. cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com
I would like to go to china…I have never been, but my husband has been through several places in the Orient.
ashleymaymott(at)aol(dot)com
I get e-mail updates ashleymaymott(at)aol(dot)com
I have never been there but I would love to go if I ever have the funds.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Nope, I've never wanted to go to China. The book sounds like a great read. Please include me.
dlodden at frontiernet dot net
+! new follower with Google Friend Connect
dlodden at frontiernet dot net
I have never visited China, and must admit I'd rather read about it than go there!
nbmars AT yahoo DOT com
Sounds like a good book. Please enter me. Thanks!
I have no interest in visiting China.
+1 Became a follower. Already a subscriber!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
I have never been to China & really don't have a lot of interest in going. I do, however, like to read books set in China.
+2 already a follower
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Thanks!
gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com
I went to China in 2004 to bring my beautiful and amazing baby girl home. She is now 6 years old! China is an amazing place! I hope to go back to China when my daughter is older so she can learn more about the country where she was born.
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Already a follower
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
#1
Already a follower
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
#2