Book Reviews & Giveaway: Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven
Author: Susan Jane Gilman
It is 1986. Claire and Susie, classmates just graduated from Brown University, are sitting and eating pancakes at IHOP in Providence. They decide, on the spot, to travel around the entire world – starting NOW. Claire is a Van Houten, coming from a wealthy family in CT. Susie is from NYC, at Brown on student loans. She has worked as a waitress to save up the money to travel and her family has no money to give her. Both decide to backpack around the world for one year, sidestepping job decisions and student loan angst. They have no agenda, know no one in Europe, China or Asia and go on a whim.
Their first stop is Hong Kong, enroute to Communist China, just open to Westerners. Neither girl, at 21, know each other very well, or what they will endure on their stay in China. As they arrive in Hong Kong, they realize their homesickness. The hostels and hotels are barbaric. Roaches crawl the walls. The toilets are public troughs. The food is barely edible. And neither girl speaks a word of dialect – Chinese, Mandarin – nothing.
They meet a strange German named Gunter on the sail to China on the Jin Jiang, a cruise boat. He speaks Mandarin and decides to join them.
In China, things spiral downward. This intrepid true story of two young American women in Communist China moves and sighs as Susie and Claire not only have to struggle with a culture totally foreign to them and all Westerners, but also their own realization that spending every day with each other is torture. Susie contracts a cough. Claire goes off every day to “do surveillance” not telling Susie anything. Claire’s realities start to blur: they are being followed by the CIA, the FBI; they will be caught any moment. She hears voices.
The kindness of strangers is all that keeps them on a survival track. Gunter leaves. The two girls fight their isolation and alienation, both within and without.
A tremendous true account of sheer courage and bravado of two young girls, as well as a wonderful panorama of the politics and more of Communist China at the time. The Cold War, the girls’ inability to find nutritious food, their inability to communicate, or even take showers, to stay clean – all add up as the two girls struggle farther and farther into China. As it becomes apparent that Claire is breaking down mentally and Susie cannot save her – and the Chinese don’t want someone mentally ill in their country – Susie commits to getting her friend out – if she can. Claire has no passport, no documentation, nothing – and the situation becomes dire.
I could not put this true novel down, and it is a once in a lifetime read. Absolutely stunning in description, obstacles and the human spirit – and what it can accomplish.
Ratings are based on a 5-star scale
Plot: 5
Characters: 5
Presentation: 5
Overall: 5
Book Review by Broad "A" - Ava
Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven
is available for purchase at Amazon.com for $10.07Thank you to the Hachette Book Group for providing this title for our book review as well as this giveaway. We were in no way paid or compensated for our opinions.
GIVEAWAY
Enter DailyExtra Entries
In order for Extra Entries to be valid, you must first enter via the above form!
- Become a fan of The Broads on Facebook <<< NEW!
- Blog about this giveaway on YOUR blog!
- Follow the Review Broads - on the sidebar
- Subscribe to The Review Broads for FREE
- Link to this giveaway on your Facebook page
- Follow Bro'B's new blog - I Pity the Blog
- Follow Broad "Z" on twitter.
- Grab our badge from the sidebar and add it to your site.
- Twitter this giveaway.
- Be sure to leave a comment letting me know if you've done any of these (if you already subscribe or have our badge - please note that in the comments as well).
* The winner will be randomly chosen and contacted via email.
* The winner has 48 hours to respond to my email or an alternate winner will be chosen.
* Please make sure you check your junk mail folder
* Good Luck
February 13, 2010 7:09 PM
I subscribe via email.
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
February 14, 2010 11:11 AM
I subscribe!
Samfor3@aol.com
February 14, 2010 11:12 AM
I follow Broad Z on twitter
Samfor3@aol.com
February 14, 2010 11:13 AM
I follow "I Pity the Blog".
Samfor3@aol.com
February 14, 2010 12:36 PM
facebook fan of the review broads:
Cheryl Newman Bradley (cln1812)
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
February 14, 2010 12:43 PM
blogged about it here:
http://proudboobymama.blogspot.com/2010/02/valentines-day-giveaways.html
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
February 14, 2010 4:59 PM
follow the review broads publicly on google friend connect:
Cheryl Bradley
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
February 14, 2010 5:00 PM
email subscriber to the review broads:
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
February 14, 2010 5:02 PM
shared on Facebook both on status & links:
Cheryl Newman Bradley (cln1812)
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
FB link:
http://www.facebook.com/cln1812?v=app_2309869772#!/cln1812?v=feed&story_fbid=302033064371&ref=share
February 14, 2010 5:02 PM
follow i pity the blog on google friend connect:
Cheryl Bradley
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
February 14, 2010 5:02 PM
follow z on twitter @cln1812
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
February 14, 2010 5:05 PM
2/14 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/9113927616
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
February 14, 2010 5:05 PM
your badge is on my sidebar:
http://proudboobymama.blogspot.com/
February 14, 2010 7:00 PM
e-mail subscriber.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com
February 14, 2010 7:01 PM
Following Bro B's blog.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com
February 14, 2010 7:02 PM
Following Broad Z on Twitter.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com
February 14, 2010 7:06 PM
Facebook fan.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com
February 15, 2010 11:16 AM
I just read this - and really enjoyed it!
follower
February 15, 2010 12:27 PM
I am a follower!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
February 15, 2010 11:02 PM
2/15 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/9169936485
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
February 16, 2010 2:54 PM
Following the Review Broads via google friends connect!
Barb
barbs562@gmail.com
February 16, 2010 2:55 PM
subscribed to the review broads!
barbs562@gmail.com
February 16, 2010 2:56 PM
folllowing you on twitter!!! (winterbabe98)
barbs562@gmail.com
February 16, 2010 4:51 PM
I heard this was really good.
77willow@gmai.com
follower
February 16, 2010 5:00 PM
GFC Follower & Subscriber
gcwhiskas at aol dot com
February 17, 2010 3:13 PM
Follow the Review Broads, carawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
February 17, 2010 3:13 PM
Subscriber to the Review Boards, carawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
February 17, 2010 3:14 PM
Follow Bro'B's new blog - I Pity the Blog , carawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
February 17, 2010 3:14 PM
Follow Broad "Z" on twitter. @carafferty, carawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
February 17, 2010 3:14 PM
Badge on blog, http://cindywindylovesblogsnfrogs.blogspot.com/ carawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
February 17, 2010 3:15 PM
tweet http://twitter.com/carafferty/status/9249254984
carawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
February 17, 2010 4:38 PM
I'm an email subscriber.
mamie316(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
February 17, 2010 4:38 PM
I'm a fan on Facebook.
mamie316(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
February 17, 2010 4:39 PM
I follow on Google Friend Connect :)
mamie316(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
February 17, 2010 10:14 PM
2/17 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/9265656564
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
February 18, 2010 11:03 AM
email subscriber
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
February 18, 2010 11:03 AM
I follow your blog.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
February 18, 2010 7:20 PM
I'm a Facebook fan!
I subscribe!
I follow on Broad "Z" on twitter!
I twiitered this giveaway!
threejellybeans@hotmail.com
February 18, 2010 7:57 PM
facebook fan
copperllama at yahoo dot com
February 18, 2010 7:57 PM
follow blog
copperllama at yahoo dot com
February 18, 2010 7:58 PM
subscriber
copperllama at yahoo dot com
February 18, 2010 7:58 PM
I follow I Pity the Blog
copperllama at yahoo dot com
February 18, 2010 7:59 PM
follow on twitter
@copperllama
copperllama at yahoo dot com
February 18, 2010 7:59 PM
have badge
http://copperllamastudio.blogspot.com/
copperllama at yahoo dot com
February 18, 2010 9:26 PM
2/18 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/9314445704
February 20, 2010 2:50 AM
I am a FB fan (Tracy Guenther)
February 20, 2010 2:51 AM
I follow your blog (taglinedesigns)
February 20, 2010 2:52 AM
I follow I Pity the Blog (taglinedesigns)
February 20, 2010 2:52 AM
I Follow Broad "Z" on twitter.
(taglinedesigns)
February 20, 2010 10:50 PM
FB fan.
February 20, 2010 10:50 PM
I subscribe by email.
February 22, 2010 4:49 PM
I'm a fan on FB
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
February 22, 2010 4:50 PM
I subscribe
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
February 22, 2010 4:50 PM
I follow
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
February 22, 2010 4:50 PM
I follow on Twitter: nfmgirl
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
February 22, 2010 4:50 PM
I have your badge:
http://cerebralgirl.blogspot.com/
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
February 22, 2010 4:52 PM
Blogged:
http://cerebralgirl.blogspot.com/2010/02/book-giveaways-in-blogworld-02-20-10.html
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
February 22, 2010 4:53 PM
Tweet:
http://twitter.com/nfmgirl/status/9495069761
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
February 22, 2010 11:16 PM
2/22 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/9510808764
February 24, 2010 8:13 PM
2/24 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/9602587189
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
February 25, 2010 10:25 PM
2/25 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/9659310460
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
February 27, 2010 10:38 PM
2/27 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/9760027107
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
February 28, 2010 1:18 AM
I'm a facebook fan
kowandamcbride at yahoo dot com
February 28, 2010 1:18 AM
I subscribe via email
kowandamcbride at yahoo dot com
February 28, 2010 10:42 AM
I follow the review broads publicly on google friend connect:
nbmars AT yahoo DOT com
February 28, 2010 6:00 PM
Subscriber.
lex.redding@yahoo.com
February 28, 2010 11:06 PM
2/28 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/9809218082
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
February 28, 2010 11:45 PM
Facebook Fan- The Broads
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
February 28, 2010 11:45 PM
Follower
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
February 28, 2010 11:46 PM
email subscriber
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
February 28, 2010 11:46 PM
I follow Bro B I Pity the Blog
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
February 28, 2010 11:47 PM
I follow Broad Z on Twitter
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
February 28, 2010 11:50 PM
Tweet! Tweet!
http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/9810809768
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net