Its a fantastic book to read. I got lot of thoughts about how was Tibet in its good old times. A good account by Heinrich.

Harrer has written what seems like two stories in one, both akin more to epic fiction than the reality they are. His grueling trek over vast stretches of land without seeing souls or food for days melts into a luxuriant picture of unfettered, beautiful culture as he arrives in the forbidden city of Lhasa. Seven Years in Tibet is truly a book for travelers. I particularly liked the later chapter on Harrer's work with the fourteenth Dalai Lama, and the latter's boyish curiosity and penchant for learning. It is fascinating to read about the precocious nature of this boy-king and the spiritual significance attributed to him. I'm eager to see the film version, knowing, alas, that China's government prevented much filming in the actual country of Tibet. Regardless, the images described by Harrer are vivid enough and I would love to see their portrayal in film.

#readtheworld Liechtenstein

Finally read this after having heard about it and the film adaptation for years. While it's checking off my "Read the World" box for Liechtenstein, it is only out of lack of other available reading in English from this country. The author is from Austria but spent time living in Liechtenstein, where he actually wrote this book.

It is an interesting account of life in Tibet while it was still independent, prior to Chinese occupation. One has to read with the realization that this was written in 1953, and while I believe the author had the best of intentions, some of the passages do seem problematic reading in 2022. The author has a somewhat patronizing or out-of-touch perspective at times, somewhat infantilizing some of the Tibetan customs and behaviors. His perspective of women's rights and beliefs may be taken with a grain of salt, describing them as having little rights but overall "very happy" with their lot in life. This may be true, but I have a hard time believing those with less human rights are really overall content and happy.

Regardless, the descriptions of the landscape, architecture and customs are honest and enlightening. This book has encouraged me to read more about Tibet and the Dalai Lama and the struggles they have faced over the course of their history.

Would recommend.

The choppy writing style was a little annoying, but Mr Harrer gives no expectations that he is a writer as the book opens. His goal to tell the story of his experiences in Tibet is fulfilled. It will make you want to learn more about this fascinating country.

I loved this book. Even with the amount of narrative and light exposition this was a story needing to be told and heard even today. Very inspiring.

Dovremmo leggere tutti Sette anni nel Tibet

"Nel giallo tremolio delle molte lampade le figure di burro sembravano acquistare vita. Strane corolle chinavano le testine in un immaginario alito di vento, pieghe di seriche vesti si muovevano frusciando, una maschera di demone torceva la bocca. Poi il dio-re alzò benedicendo la mano. Siamo anche noi preda di questo sogno conturbante? La luna piena, simbolo del mondo ultraterreno, al quale è dedicato tutto questo grandioso omaggio, sorride dalla sua altezza."

MERAVIGLIOSO. Le due mie grandi passioni di leggere e viaggiare alla scoperta di nuove culture unite in questo straordinario libro, che è molto di più: un messaggio all'umanità, un canale di comunicazione tra il Tetto del mondo e il resto del pianeta.
Heinrich Harrer raggiunse il Tibet durante la Seconda guerra mondiale fuggendo da un campo di prigionia inglese in India, a Dehra Dun, e fu costretto a lasciarlo quando, nel 1951, le truppe cinesi invasero il Paese della Neve.

Sette anni nel Tibet descrive il fascino perduto di una cultura millenaria tanto diversa da quella occidentale poiché isolata e ancorata alle tradizioni lamaiste per secoli, trasmettendo al lettore un desiderio profondo di conoscenza di una terra proibita, di avventura ed esplorazione di nuovi mondi, ma anche di malinconica consapevolezza della distruzione di un paese libero, il cui appello al mondo è rimasto inascoltato negli anni. Al piacere delle descrizioni del paesaggio e delle tradizioni tibetane, sono affiancate le grida di un popolo libero e pacifico, che lotta disperatamente contro l'oppressione dell'esercito comunista della Cina popolare, sottolineando il fallimento e l'assenza dell'ONU.
"Nel 1951 l'armata rossa cinese occupò il paese e il Dalai Lama, insieme con circa centomila tibetani, fu costretto a fuggire in India. Non ci sono parole per descrivere ciò che da allora è successo nel Paese della neve: un milione e duecentomila tibetani hanno perso la vita, il novantanove per cento dei seimila edifici sacri è stato distrutto."
Questo libro insegna molto, consigliato a tutti.

The best part about travel books...? You see the entire world sitting within the four walls. The wonderful things the writer saw, his exhilarating experiences, the people he meets, all seem like they're happening to us as a first person.
Same applies to this travelogue. There is quite less the world knows about Tibet, and this book is the first person account of a German mountaineer who escapes British prison in India during WWII and seeks shelter in Tibet. His numerious encounters with Tibetan people, escapades from authorities and wonderful description of the Tibetan natural beauty and simple people, make you want to visit this place as well. The book has excellent details about Tibetan festivals, culture, superstitions and most importantly, the Dalai Lama, who is the centre of Tibetan life there, with whom the writer strikes a friendship, and gives a never-before detailed story of Dalai Lama in 1940s.
All in all, this book was a great read, but probably little fragmented, and lacked some continuity. Hence the 4 stars..

The writing can be very dry, especially in the beginning, but the subject matter and genuine appreciation of the author more than makes up for it. A delightful book.