Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven by Susan Jane Gilman
After college, Susan Jane Gilman and her old roommate Claire decided they wanted to do something adventurous before settling down in their lives. During a meal together at IHop, of all places, they decided they were going to take a year and backpack around the world, starting in China, pre-Tienanmen Square. Susan probably should have figured out something was not quite right when Claire’s father was so adamantly against her going on this trip, warning her of all of the bad things that could happen. Or perhaps when Claire started talking about the young Israeli man she was infatuated with before they left who, oh, by the way, was a member of Mossad. As if it wasn’t hard enough to be two young girls backpacking through Communist China in the 1980s, strange things begin happening, and Claire begins to act secretively, and hints that they may be being followed by any number of spy agencies.
Oh my goodness, I simply could not stop reading “Undress Me In The Temple of Heaven.” I was somewhat skeptical, wondering why I wanted to read Gilman’s travel memoir; after all, quite a lot of people seem to get memoirs published when their lives are not particularly noteworthy. Well, I learned the answer to why I would want to read Gilman’s travel memoir, and that is because it is AWESOME. Not only is Gilman’s writing fantastic, the story she was telling – all true, by the way, with just some identifying details of certain people changed – was absolutely fascinating. I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out whether Claire was crazy or somehow involved in high stakes espionage (and no, I’m not going to tell you which it was) and when Susan would figure out just exactly what was going on. Really, this story is bizarre enough you’d think it was fiction, except as fiction it would probably be too improbable to be published.
I definitely recommend this book for the descriptions of the girls’ travel, Gilman’s writing style, and the highly emotional intensity.
Buy this book from:
Powells.*
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Amazon.*
This review was done with a book received from my local library.
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I remember hearing about this one a little while ago when it was out in hardcover, but it didn’t grab me right away… until now! Between your review and another awesome one I’ve read lately (can’t remember whose — eek, hate when that happens), I’m ready to pick this one up. Memoirs that read like fiction — exciting, well-constructed, emotional — can be fantastic. Great review!
“quite a lot of people seem to get memoirs published when their lives are not particularly noteworthy.”
SO TRUE! Glad that’s not the case here!
This is the second review I have seen for this book. I will have to read this one. Your review has me very curious about Susan’s travels. Great review!
I’m so glad you liked this book! I just loved it when I listened to it on audio book, enough that I’m going to buy a copy now that it’s out in paperback.
Thank you so much for choosing it as your That’s How I Blog book, or I might have completely missed it!
I loved this book, and Susan Jane Gilman tells it in such a wonderful, funny yet suspenseful way. I knew from the beginning that there would be trouble but figuring out what form it would take had me on the edge of my seat.
This author has been on my radar for a long time. If the story were fiction, you all would probably have a different opinion of the book. But when it is a true story, it becomes fascinating. I’ve heard all of her other memoirs are great too!
After I finished this one, I immediately put Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress on hold at the library!
I’ev seen this around and, I admit, I have pretty much disregarded it. However, your review makes me want to snatch it right up and devour it! I just went and put it on hold at the library. Great erview!
I disregarded it for a long time too, I’m not sure why. I probably wouldn’t have ever read it if it wasn’t for Kim choosing it as her That’s How I Blog book!
OK, you’ve convinced me to put it on hold at my library. Thanks for sharing!!
I loved this and then passed it on to my mother and she loved it too – we had a great discussion about it.
I love travel memoirs so I am looking forward to checking this one out!
I keep hearing fantastic things about this one. Yes, I must get it.
I just bought this book this morning!
I’m hearing more and more good about this book since it came out in paperback, and it sounds so good. Your review reminds me that I have to read it, I’m not hesitating anymore.
I really enjoyed this one, I think it’s one of the best travel memoirs I’ve ever read!