While the writing was a little on the dull side, this is a really fascinating true story and I enjoyed it more and more as I read. I was surprised at how very isolated and primitive Tibet was in the 1940s. Harrer really loved the people of Tibet and that comes through in his writing. I loved reading about the young Dalai Lama. Such a character.

I've since watched half of the movie and will finish it at some stage, but it's pretty ordinary so far.