Customer Reviews

The Violet Shyness of Their Eyes: Notes from Nepal

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Unlike many travel narratives that deal with conquering the Himalayas or giving a traveler's view of the Nepalese people, Barbara J. Scot's THE VIOLET SHYNESS OF THEIR EYES, shows an insight into the region that few experience. She is a teacher living and working in a small village in Nepal. As a teacher, she works at a small, overcrowded school and sees how western education is hurting, not helping the Nepalese. Frankly, when Scot comes to the realization that people like herself are making things worse for the Nepalese, I was overwhelmed with her honesty and her plight. However, she says it far better than I can: "I think the main trouble with motivation for teachers in Nepal is that they have no self-esteem. They are told they must learn from westerners how to do things the right way . . . You ought to get rid of all westerners. You are an ingenious people. Let the Nepalis figure out what works for education for Nepal."

As a professor, I was stunned to read this statement. After all, I had bought the text because it was marketed as a travel narrative of Nepal, and I am a climber and hiker who has wanted to go this area for ages. So, when I started reading this book, I was surprised to see that, yes, it is a travel account of living in another land that happens to be smack up against the most beautiful scenery in the world, but I was more intrigued by Scot's voice in the book. It has an earnest and sincere quality. It made me think. And, it made me agree with her view on the situation. Scott is not against western education, but western eduators who ardently believe that their viewpoint on universal education is the only one of worth. These educators go to other countries and inform the local educators that their view on educating is wrong or, at least, misguided. Scott wants us to realize that what western education has to offer is valuable to non-western people, but these people must be able to pick and choose what they need from western education methodology and mix it with their own cultural values and beliefs.

An insightful and well written book. I hated to see the narrative end.

I was really surprised by the quality of this book. Many people who have lived or worked abroad try to write about their experiences, but few actually have the talent to create something worthwhile and lasting. Barbara Scot, however, has managed to capture some moments of incredible poignancy and beauty. A few passages even approach the level of poetry.

The book is a bit uneven in places, but nevertheless I consider it an excellent effort for a first-time author. You come away with a deep respect for both Nepal and her people, and for Barbara, who as an adventurous woman in her late 40s, will be a an inspiration for many. She's the kind of woman you'd like to know.

On another note--When I saw this book came from a feminist publishing house I was afraid I might be subjected to preachy diatribes about the evils patriarchy, but mercifully that was not the case. Scot does have a special concern for the women of Nepal, but she doesn't preach about it. In fact a sense of evenhandedness is one of the many virtues of the book. She poses many good questions without claiming to have the answers.

Like too many Americans, Scot approaches Nepal as a mysterious secret land. Her book is full of wonderful theories and ideas to help this backward nation, but her notions are little more than jabs at the West and progress. In a country where only 45% of the population is literate I don't think any nation with resources should sit by and let them "figure it out for themselves." I have spent a few years living in differing regions of Nepal and did not come away with this mystical notion of a people that Scot so dearly clings to her heart. Perhaps she should have scrutinized a little more and wore the rose coloured glasses a little less. I don't recommend this book.

I really enjoyed this book. Barbara Scot does seem like a woman it would be interesting to know. I appreciated her heartfelt, thoughtful, introspective approach to her teaching experience in Nepal. As someone with a strong family connection to Nepal, I really appreciated the respect and humility she communicates through her writing.

I was especially interested in her reservations about the wisdom of the effort to teach English to Nepali children. It seems so many western efforts to "help" in Nepal and elsewhere go awry. I hope accounts such as this one will encourage more mindful involvement.

Ms. Scot has written with an eloquent, touching, respectful voice about a country that an acquaintance recently described as "beguiling". If you have been to Nepal and have been beguiled, or are dreaming of going for whatever reason, or even just curious about a western perspective on an enchanting and very different culture you would probably enjoy this book.

An excellent account of the people and culture of Nepal from a woman's perspective. Sensitive and thought-provoking

I loved the writers voice and accounts in this book. It was subtle yet powerfully written. The stories that are meant to touch you will find you and stay with you.
I cant help but think how America handled the educating of Natives here so long ago and how this chance in Nepal to give their own educators esteem and freedom while maintaining their innocence, the violet shyness could be such an enpowering era for the children and people.
This is written by a wonderful writer. I loved it.
www.HeartMom.com

I have read many trips to the Himilayas written from a man's point of view, but this was certainly unique. The typical story of racing down narrow, dangerous roads on a bus is totally different when paying attention to nauseous women and where do the women have to go to the bathroom. When she wrote of climbing mountains, she mentioned the wildflowers. That is something the men rushing up mountains at the very edge of their skills never mention.

I read this book researching an upcoming trip to Nepal. I was not looking for a feminist dialog about the culture, but I figured I could get some insider knowledge about the people (and women) of Nepal. To my surprise, I did not get an anthropological view, but rather a detailed description of the flora and fauna of Nepal through the eyes of a jogger. I was hoping this book would provide insights into the people of Nepal, but after the author spent nearly a year there her observations where as foreign as mine half a world away. Many questions concerning the culture were left unanswered and I was left with many more questions than answers. This might be great for discussion, but did not aid my search for understanding of this admittedly complex culture. Ultimately, the observations are outdated (almost 9 years old) and the insights hollow.

Scot tackles controversial issues such as oppression and gender roles with new eyes as she goes to teach, but is taught by the strong Nepali people. This really made me rethink the value I place on myself as a woman and the value I place on sisterhood. A life-changing read

I've been around the world a few times and lived and worked overseas (mostly in Asia) for about 12 years. I have run into many versions of the author, most of whom hold an almost pious, self-righteous attitude about their short term experiences - who almost unfailingly dress in what my fellow ex-pats termed "Asian travelers'disease" style - for example, a Cambodian peasant shirt paired with Japanese farmer pants and an upcountry tribal hat from Chang Mai. These are generally the types of people who in normal life back home wear purple, brown and blue as if it's part of their religion.

The problem is that it's not a bad book, and it is very well written - it just could have been so much better had the author:

1. Had even a modicum of humor
2. Wasn't afraid to criticize a culture because of looking "culturally insensitive".
3. Realized that Nepalis are people just like anyone else, not to be put on a pedestal, with a somewhat different mentality, history and geography. In other words, they're not that hard to understand -

Treating a foreign country as if its inhabitants are some sort of exotic butterfly that will go extinct if you disturb it is really out of date. Mass media has made many more inroads and changed more countries from the inside out than have scores of Peace Corps workers, and it's not going to stop anytime soon.

One almost feels as if everyone the author runs into is so holy as to be destined for sainthood. This is an unbalanced point of view, but unfortunately, it's become very popular in the PC States of America. Frankly, I feel more at home with books like "Holidays in Hell".