Quarter Finalist
Assessment:
Idea: This powerful memoir closely details the author’s years of humanitarian work in Eastern Tibet. The author effectively integrates the story of living with, supporting, and educating Tibetan people with her more personal internal journey.
Prose/Style: The book showcases powerful prose throughout, with skillful structure and outstanding descriptions of Tibet, its culture, people, and landscape.
Originality: This is the extremely original story of a woman's commitment to a distinctive region and its people. Logan’s uncommon passion, integrity, and optimism embody the best of humanitarianism. The author may wish to incorporate more of the material that appears in the concluding summary, into the body of the text itself.
Character Development/Execution: This memoir is fluidly written and displays the author’s deep sense of the region’s complex history and vibrant culture. The author’s adventures and moving experiences come vividly to life.
Blurb: A beautifully written, powerful memoir of one woman's stunning quest in eastern Tibet.
Date Submitted: October 25, 2020
Logan acknowledges that humanitarian work in the region is often dirty and difficult, but she always maintains a positive viewpoint, and the individuals she helps seem to share her attitude of hope and thankfulness. Sometimes her narration is a little dry and removed, but when she lets herself get personal, her writing shines. Readers with some background knowledge of politics in Tibet and China will have the best grasp of the nuances of Logan’s work. Those unfamiliar with the region will still appreciate the comprehensive firsthand exploration of areas both troubled and beautiful, as well as the helpful maps.
Throughout, Logan takes time to detail the importance of establishing trusting connections with locals, the complicated nature of international relations, and the speed with which networks and contacts can change. Although she delves into the corruption of government officials stealing money earmarked for the children and shares cautionary advice for Americans doing humanitarian work in China, Logan also brilliantly reveals the rewards of her labors: babies’ lives saved at birth, educated girls who achieve great success. The resilience and beauty of the Tibetan people stand out in this sweeping account.
Takeaway: Readers curious about daily life and humanitarian work in Tibet will be swept up by this marathon account of the Kham Aid Foundation’s founding and work.
Great for fans of Charlie Carroll’s Peaks on the Horizon: Two Journeys in Tibet, Gillian G. Tan’s In the Circle of White Stones: Moving through Seasons with Nomads of Eastern Tibet.
Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
