Customer Reviews

Bone Mountain

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Once in a while a great novel receives recognition for its inherent stature. Such was the case when Eliot Pattison's debut novel THE SKULL MANTRA won the prestigious Edgar Award. His second novel, WATER TOUCHING STONE, would have won if THE SKULL MANTRA hadn't; I mean, you can't keep handing the trophy over to the same guy, even if he deserves it. But the plain and simple truth is that no one is doing quite what Pattison is doing, and no one is doing what they do quite as well as what Pattison is doing.

If you are by chance unfamiliar with Pattison, or either of the aforementioned novels, you could certainly jump on with BONE MOUNTAIN. Although BONE MOUNTAIN is a continuation of the themes and characters introduced and explored in THE SKULL MANTRA and WATER TOUCHING STONE, BONE MOUNTAIN stands quite well on its own, as Pattison continues to amaze and astound with some of the most compelling prose out there This is a man who has a love for the written language. while his words flow with a poetic verve that is by turns beatific and terrible --- depending on his subject matter --- this is not prose that lends itself to a hurried or cursory reading. Pattison does not satisfy accuracy at the altar of experience. The reader comes away from each sitting with BONE MOUNTAIN intellectually challenged and culturally richer, as Pattison continues to explore the land, the mystery, and the tragedy that is Tibet.

BONE MOUNTAIN continues the process of shouldering Pattison out of genre adulation and into mainstream attention. And if he brings attention through these novels to the plight of the Tibetan people, then he will accomplish the task that he perhaps set out to perform to begin with.

--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

Eliot Pattison's books are unlike any other books that I have ever read. Having thoroughly enjoyed his two recent works set in Tibet and adjacent regions, entitled The Skull Mantra, and Water Touching Stone, I was very eager to read Bone Mountain.

The main impression one gets is of a gentle religious teaching disguised as a mystery novel. If one is open to Mr. Pattison's exposition of Tibetan Buddhism, which seems entirely consistent with the other readings and experiences of your reviewer, an admitted outsider, one cannot help but admire the compassion and gentleness of most of the Tibetan characters, and indeed of many of the Han Chinese. There are quiet miracles, small answered prayers, and descriptions of meditation that are calming to read. The cumulative effect is like walking in the mountains or hearing beautiful music, completely independent of the who-killed-the-guys theme.

The pacing of the book is better, I thought, than in Water Touching Stone. Again, there are several key geographical locations that are introduced and described. An eco-consciousness theme is more obvious than in the previous novels. The action shifts back and forth between these various locales, but this time they are close together, accessed on foot, and related historically, religously, and even geologically to each other. The modern world again intrudes, and, in fact, the integration of the timeless Tibetan religious themes with helicopters, computers, and Westerners is a real challange which by and large is handled convincingly.

The book can be read and enjoyed on several levels. Personally, I enjoyed "the journey" of Shan and his companions so much I really did not care whether the mystery was solved. I intend to buy several copies as gifts. It certainly does not shy away from politics, and I have been struggling with whether or not, and how, to present this books to Chinese people I have been priviliged to get to know. This book reminds us of one of the many horrific wars that grip our world, and points to a path that may be of great value in reducing the suffering.

Disgraced Chines police investigator Shan Tao Yun knows he owes the Buddhist monks his life as they have made his insufferable prison exile tolerable. So when they ask him to deliver a religious idol to a sacred place in the Yapchi Valley, he readily assents to taking the artifact to its home. Renegade monk Lokesh also agrees to accompany Shan on the trek.

However, the journey, which is arduous, turns tragic when someone murders the guide. Shan learns that in Yapchi Valley, the Americans drill for oil, but the female engineer has fled the area. Adding to his bewilderment is that the Chinese army wants the return of the idol stolen from them before it fosters Buddhist teachings over Party lessons and in turn nurture dissent. In this mess, Shan seeks justice, but the Americans, the Chinese, and the Tibetans each have their own definition.

The third Shan tale provides the audience with an interesting mystery that is overshadowed by insight into the region, especially the Tibetan question, but the story line can be difficult to follow because of the deep cerebral look at Buddhism and Communism. Still the who-done-it is intriguing and Shan remains a fascinating lead protagonist, but Eliot Pattison's novel is more for those in the audience wanting a better understanding of life at the top of the world.

Harriet Klausner

I have read Mr. Patison's first two Tibetan mysteries and found them compelling and heartbreaking in terms of their portrayal of Tibetan culture under the Chinese occupation. Sadly, I could not finish Bone Mountain (over 200 pages in) because in this particular case, the political position Mr. Patison advances (one I am in agreement with, by the way) just swamps any attempt at creating a mystery novel. I would willingly read a non-fiction book by Mr. Patison regarding the Chinese occupation of Tibet and I would like to go on reading his mystery series, but in this case it was literally too painful to go on. More mystery, less politics in the next ones, please.

This book, and the whole series is brilliant! Loved every moment of it and it is a good story, well told while describing the landscape and the people in detail. A must read in my own opinion.

However I was also shocked to read what the Han are doing to the rest of the population and specific to the Tibetans. I did not know it was this bad, and further research confirmed it is. I think the Han have taken genocide and Nazism to a new height. From this point to this book is a must read too, and has helped me to make a decision to avoid `made in china' goods.

I read Pattison's first two books & had complaints about the writting style. I read the kindle edition of Bone Mountain & agree that this a long book. I noticed that the writting style developed in sophistication. I was consumed with the multi levels of story telling & I was captivated with descriptions of Tibetan Buddhism, it's place in history & culture of Tibet. For persons who may have problems with the destruction of culture, genocide of peoples, corruption of government, this book will be painful to read. As not to long ago I had read various books on China since post WWII, I became aware that the Chinese people have experienced massive avoidable famines, corruption of government, false imprisonment on a grand scale &they continue to experience much of their ancient neighborhoods, culture & beliefs also being destroyed. Many people suffer greatly under present regime of Chinese government. I have begun Pattison's 4rth book "Beautiful Ghosts" & this book really delves into an international scene. I have a complaint that concerns all four books so far. Shan achieves great feats in a time frame that would take most men half his age to achieve in 3x amount of time. . What he can do in a week, most people would need 3 months. Besides not sleeping for days at a time, eating very little & climbing up & down high altitude mountains requires a certain amount of "suspension of reality belifs". Other then that detail, I plan to finish this series of books.

It probably helps that I have visited Tibet and done some reading on the struggle of the Tibetans against the Chinese. It is interesting that the author weaves this into his story along with a profound respect for Buddhism. I felt that the book both entertained me and gave me greater insights into the situation in Tibet.

This fourth volume of the Inspector Shan novels is just as insightful and intellectual as the other three. Through the eyes of Shan, a former high official in the Chinese government in Beijing sent to a concentration camp in Tibet under false charges, we experience Tibetan culture under the oppressive thumb of China as it literally tries to obliterate this culture. Those, who like Shan are seeking enlightenment, can emote with him as he attempts to shed his prior attachments and fully appreciate the impermanence of everything including himself. In contrast to Shan, we witness the glorius and unaffected approach to life of the lamas Gendun and Lokesh, the latter of which shared Shan's imprisonment. Their childlike fascination with the world about them remind us that we too should revel in the everyday life which surrounds us as well. While it can be hard to read about the atrocities committed by dispassionate, rigid Chinese authorities, each of Pattison's novels leave us with a sense of hope and a deeper understanding of Tibetan Buddhism. Despite the complexity and length of all his novels, they are worth every minute for the serious reader who seeks the truly unique novel.

I was waiting with great anticipation for Pattison's latest book to be published and I have to say that I was somewhat disappointed. This story just didn't have the edge of the seat gripping feel to it. With his other books, I couldn't put them down, wanting to know what would happen next. With this book some of that magic was unfortunately lost. Having said that, there are very few books with stories based in Tibet, so for that I am still drawn to his books. If you're looking for a different kind of murder/mystery or are an Asiaphile, Pattison is it.

Too long, too convoluted and too many characters. I enjoyed The Skull Mantra very much but the series may be played out. There are simply too many implausible turns in this book, too many coincidences to be believable. Plus, I'm a bit weary of having the cruelty and perfidy of the Chinese thrown at me on every page. I know it's all true and actually much worse than what is portrayed but the repitition is tiresome. I think I'll skip Beautiful Ghosts.