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Far from the Rooftop of the World: Travels among Tibetan Refugees on Four Continents
In 2008, the Chinese government cracked down on protests throughout Tibet, and journalist Amy Yee found herself covering a press conference with the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, his exile home in India. She never imagined a personal encounter with the spiritual leader would spark a global, fourteen-year journey to spotlight the stories of Tibetans in exile. As she documents how Tibetans live between worlds, Yee comes to know ordinary but extraordinary people like Topden, a monk and unlikely veterinary assistant; Norbu, a chef and political refugee; and Deckyi and Dhondup, a couple forced to leave their middle-class lives in Lhasa. Yee follows them to other parts of India and across oceans and four continents where they forge new lives while sustaining Tibetan identity and culture.
Weaving a sweeping travel narrative with intimate on-the-ground reportage, Far from the Rooftop of the World tells these stories and others against the backdrop of milestones and events in Tibet's recent history – many memorable, too many tragic. The resulting portrait illuminates the humanity, strength, and perseverance of a people whose homeland is in crisis.
Weaving a sweeping travel narrative with intimate on-the-ground reportage, Far from the Rooftop of the World tells these stories and others against the backdrop of milestones and events in Tibet's recent history – many memorable, too many tragic. The resulting portrait illuminates the humanity, strength, and perseverance of a people whose homeland is in crisis.
280 pages, Paperback
Published October 17, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 30, 2023
Amy Yee's "Far from the Rooftop of the World: Travels among Tibetan Refugees on Four Continents" is a poignant and beautifully crafted narrative that takes the reader on a compelling journey through the lives of Tibetan refugees scattered across the globe. Yee’s empathetic storytelling provide a window into the hearts and minds of a community striving to keep its culture alive, even as it grapples with the complex realities of displacement.
Yee’s exploration spans four continents and almost two decades, beginning in the exile capital of Dharamshala in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas, and eventually with experiences drawn from everyday lives in the Tibetan diaspora in New York, Brussels, Sydney and Melbourne - by way of the agricultural settlements in Karnataka, in southern India. Her writing is in accessible language that she tells the reader she hopes her subjects (with English as a third language) will someday read - yet evocative and immersive, capturing the essence of each locale. She weaves together historical context, personal anecdotes, and insightful analysis, creating a rich tapestry of stories that are at once intimate and universal.
One of the book’s strengths is its ability to humanise the geopolitical, drawing attention to the individual lives affected by the ongoing Tibetan-PRC conflict. Yee’s portraits range from monks and nuns to students and activists, each contributing a valuable perspective to the broader narrative of resilience and resistance. The author's empathetic approach, perhaps rooted in her bi-cultural identity, and experience as a veteran journalist in the Global South, ensures that their stories are told with dignity and respect - but also with humour - providing a platform for voices and lives that are often marginalised, and rarely heard.
"Far from the Rooftop of the World" excels in its nuanced portrayal of the Tibetan refugee experience. Yee does not shy away from addressing the complexities of identity, belonging, and cultural preservation within the diaspora. Her thoughtful reflections highlight the innovative ways in which the community is working to maintain its heritage, while adapting to new environments and challenges.
The book's engaging narrative is complemented by Yee’s evocative prose, which captures the beauty of Tibetan culture and the resilience of its people. Her imagery brings to life an historically significant McLeod Ganj of 2008-09, as well as the adopted homes of her subjects in the West, creating a sensory-rich experience for the reader. In a tender addition to her narrative, the author details the daily progress of a street cat named Shimmy who she, and one of her subjects - a monk, gradually disrobing - helps nurse, after the cat is hit by traffic.
Living a bi-cultural identity as a second-generation, Cantonese-American author, Yee brings largely tacit insights and interpretations to the narrative that lead to a richer and deeper portrayal of the identity struggles, and inter-generational trauma and resilience within the contemporary Tibetan exile community.
In "Far from the Rooftop of the World," Amy Yee has crafted a work that is both informative and inspiring, providing a resource for anyone seeking to understand the Tibetan refugee experience. Her book, written over fourteen years, stands as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the enduring power of hope, even in the face of overwhelming adversity. I would particularly recommend it to readers looking to gain insight into the human complexities of displacement in the twenty-first century. The work is a tribute to a diaspora community that continues to persevere, far from the rooftop of the world.
* This book is suitable for teenage learners, and could be used in a TEFL programme at advanced level, or as a teaching aid in secondary- or tertiary- education.
Yee’s exploration spans four continents and almost two decades, beginning in the exile capital of Dharamshala in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas, and eventually with experiences drawn from everyday lives in the Tibetan diaspora in New York, Brussels, Sydney and Melbourne - by way of the agricultural settlements in Karnataka, in southern India. Her writing is in accessible language that she tells the reader she hopes her subjects (with English as a third language) will someday read - yet evocative and immersive, capturing the essence of each locale. She weaves together historical context, personal anecdotes, and insightful analysis, creating a rich tapestry of stories that are at once intimate and universal.
One of the book’s strengths is its ability to humanise the geopolitical, drawing attention to the individual lives affected by the ongoing Tibetan-PRC conflict. Yee’s portraits range from monks and nuns to students and activists, each contributing a valuable perspective to the broader narrative of resilience and resistance. The author's empathetic approach, perhaps rooted in her bi-cultural identity, and experience as a veteran journalist in the Global South, ensures that their stories are told with dignity and respect - but also with humour - providing a platform for voices and lives that are often marginalised, and rarely heard.
"Far from the Rooftop of the World" excels in its nuanced portrayal of the Tibetan refugee experience. Yee does not shy away from addressing the complexities of identity, belonging, and cultural preservation within the diaspora. Her thoughtful reflections highlight the innovative ways in which the community is working to maintain its heritage, while adapting to new environments and challenges.
The book's engaging narrative is complemented by Yee’s evocative prose, which captures the beauty of Tibetan culture and the resilience of its people. Her imagery brings to life an historically significant McLeod Ganj of 2008-09, as well as the adopted homes of her subjects in the West, creating a sensory-rich experience for the reader. In a tender addition to her narrative, the author details the daily progress of a street cat named Shimmy who she, and one of her subjects - a monk, gradually disrobing - helps nurse, after the cat is hit by traffic.
Living a bi-cultural identity as a second-generation, Cantonese-American author, Yee brings largely tacit insights and interpretations to the narrative that lead to a richer and deeper portrayal of the identity struggles, and inter-generational trauma and resilience within the contemporary Tibetan exile community.
In "Far from the Rooftop of the World," Amy Yee has crafted a work that is both informative and inspiring, providing a resource for anyone seeking to understand the Tibetan refugee experience. Her book, written over fourteen years, stands as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the enduring power of hope, even in the face of overwhelming adversity. I would particularly recommend it to readers looking to gain insight into the human complexities of displacement in the twenty-first century. The work is a tribute to a diaspora community that continues to persevere, far from the rooftop of the world.
* This book is suitable for teenage learners, and could be used in a TEFL programme at advanced level, or as a teaching aid in secondary- or tertiary- education.
August 28, 2023
A remarkable narrative about a people driven out of their country and deprived of their cultural origins, keeping their culture alive in many parts of the world. Amy Yee gives us a detailed window on to Tibetan settlements in India and beyond. The book is also of interest to those who enjoy depictions of chaotic and colorful towns and cities in India. One can only hope that one day China will have a more enlightened government.
November 17, 2023
Amy Yee's debut novel, 'Far From the Roof of the World: Travels among Tibetan Refugees on Four Continents,' offers a poignant tribute to the indomitable spirit of the Tibetan people and their day-to-day resilience. A story of how the Tibetan poeple, navigating diverse worlds, languages, and circumstances, continue to foster hope in the face of today's global challenges. Specifically, she brought attention to the four main real-life characters in her book - Topden, Nordu, Dhondup, and Deckyi. Each of these individuals, having escaped from Tibet to Dharamsala, India, now find themselves forging new lives across four different continents, embodying the enduring spirit of the Tibetan diasporic community. These stories are not just narratives of struggle; they are beacons of hope, underscoring the importance of perseverance, and finding joy and pride in one's identity and journey.
As a Tibetan myself, this event left me with a profound sense of self and pride. And as a global citizen, it reinforced my appreciation for my roots and the rich tapestry of human experiences they represent.
As a Tibetan myself, this event left me with a profound sense of self and pride. And as a global citizen, it reinforced my appreciation for my roots and the rich tapestry of human experiences they represent.
August 8, 2023
Amy Yee's "Far From the Rooftop of the World" is an exciting and welcome (for me) look at Tibetan culture and Tibetan citizens. So many of us know so little about Tibet and its people that this book is so important. We also learn about Tibet's relationship to China, and as she writes in the book, "Context about China is important."
Yee's writing is highly engaging and informative, so that it doesn't have the lugubrious feel that permeates some travel/educational writing. I liked how she explains Tibetan texts and practices as well as how she provides vivid descriptions of every day life (passengers spilling out of trains like lava was one of my fave images). Yee makes you want to keep reading and learning about the Tibetan people, and that's all I ask for.
Yee's writing is highly engaging and informative, so that it doesn't have the lugubrious feel that permeates some travel/educational writing. I liked how she explains Tibetan texts and practices as well as how she provides vivid descriptions of every day life (passengers spilling out of trains like lava was one of my fave images). Yee makes you want to keep reading and learning about the Tibetan people, and that's all I ask for.
September 4, 2023
I enjoyed reading about Tibet and the lives of Tibetans. There was much I could relate to after visiting Dharamsala, seeing where the Dalai Lama lived and worked, and experiencing the lives of the Tibetan refugees. A proud and self-sacrificing people, Tibetans just want to live their lives in a free Tibet.
Amy Yee, journalist and author, gets personal with the Tibetans that she meets as they move around to different places. This book is a powerful and meaningful look into what they have had to endure under Chinese rule and how their lives as refugees take their toll.
Thank you to Netgalley, author, and publisher for this ARC.
Amy Yee, journalist and author, gets personal with the Tibetans that she meets as they move around to different places. This book is a powerful and meaningful look into what they have had to endure under Chinese rule and how their lives as refugees take their toll.
Thank you to Netgalley, author, and publisher for this ARC.
November 9, 2025
Useful if you want to know about Tibetan refugees living in some parts of the world but the writing is clunky and uninspiring. Some parts were way over written like the pages I read about her debating in a court or something. My enjoyment was also deterred with the missing "ff", "fl" etc in the ARC - really the worst ARC I ever read. Appreciate the effort though, hence the three stars.
October 24, 2023
I was looking forward to reading this book - about Tibetans who have had to flee Tibet. Their stories of escape, survival and adjustments while making other countries their home around the world are compelling. The book does a good job of shining a light on the ongoing issues in Tibet and China’s continued repression of Tibetans in their homeland. Unfortunately, the writing didn’t match these compelling stories. It was mediocre and underwhelming, and oftentimes overly simplistic, which was surprising. Compounding this was the ARC I read - missing words, letters, dates, numbers, percentages, and more. It definitely made for a challenging read. Hopefully, all omissions have been fixed in the published version. I got through the book for no other reason than wanting to know more about the Tibetan diaspora and how they have had to adjust and survive. They have suffered much while holding on to their beliefs, culture, yet continue to dream for a brighter future for their homeland. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
July 9, 2024
Devotees of the Dalai Lama believe that just his gaze falling upon you has the power to influence your destiny. Imagine Amy Yee’s surprise when, from amongst a large group of reporters, His Holiness singles her out, approaches her, pinches her cheeks as one might do to a cherubic toddler, and then envelopes her affectionately in a full bear hug!
But not even the Dalai Lama is without motive.
The event and venue at which the bear hug is witnessed is a March 2008 press conference in Dharamsala, India, “to mark the forty-ninth anniversary of a 1959 Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule.” The uprising and inevitable riots resulted in many Tibetan and Chinese civilian deaths. The Dalai Lama’s bias for nonviolent methods for resolving the conflict shapes itself into a request/command that he bestows upon Yee: “You must tell them,” he says. “Tell” equates to Yee’s reporting, and “them” equates to anyone in the world who will listen. “I will do my best,” responds Yee.
The majority of Far From the Rooftop of the World represents an accumulation of contemporary reporting and articles by Yee from approximately 2008-2010. What she didn’t anticipate was that getting the book published would actually take another 14 years! Perhaps the fortitude she displays in sticking with it came from that Dalai Lama bear hug.
The stories Yee tells of Tibetan refugees are touching, intimate, and factually solid because of Yee’s personal time spent learning about people who have their lives upended. Families are not only split apart, but members find themselves far from home and each other. Invariably, adaptation to new environments, cultures, languages become part of survival. But adaptation may be too passive a term: in many instances, the refugees wring fruitful lives out of challenging circumstances by demonstrating a pervasive and robust blend of resilience and resourcefulness.
I found the book completely revelatory in so many ways (which might simply be a face-saving confession of my ignorance about the plight of Tibet and Tibetan refugees). I learn, for example, that not only is the Dalai Lama living in exile, but so is the whole Tibetan government, and it has been doing that for over fifty years! I cannot even get my head around an entire government operating in exile status! I also fell into the trap (more confessed ignorance!) based on iconic images and statues of Buddha of thinking Buddhism is exclusively a male-dominated religion. Not so! Apparently, there also exist female Buddhist deities.
Amy Yee has written a great book in so many ways, but I’m convinced there is an overarching urgent message in her writing. The Tibetans who fled for their lives or were forcibly displaced is just the tip of the iceberg, as a quick search of any human rights organization will reveal. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that at the end of 2023, the global number of displaced persons had risen to over 117 million, or 1.5 percent of world population. That number is still on the rise in early 2024.
But not even the Dalai Lama is without motive.
The event and venue at which the bear hug is witnessed is a March 2008 press conference in Dharamsala, India, “to mark the forty-ninth anniversary of a 1959 Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule.” The uprising and inevitable riots resulted in many Tibetan and Chinese civilian deaths. The Dalai Lama’s bias for nonviolent methods for resolving the conflict shapes itself into a request/command that he bestows upon Yee: “You must tell them,” he says. “Tell” equates to Yee’s reporting, and “them” equates to anyone in the world who will listen. “I will do my best,” responds Yee.
The majority of Far From the Rooftop of the World represents an accumulation of contemporary reporting and articles by Yee from approximately 2008-2010. What she didn’t anticipate was that getting the book published would actually take another 14 years! Perhaps the fortitude she displays in sticking with it came from that Dalai Lama bear hug.
The stories Yee tells of Tibetan refugees are touching, intimate, and factually solid because of Yee’s personal time spent learning about people who have their lives upended. Families are not only split apart, but members find themselves far from home and each other. Invariably, adaptation to new environments, cultures, languages become part of survival. But adaptation may be too passive a term: in many instances, the refugees wring fruitful lives out of challenging circumstances by demonstrating a pervasive and robust blend of resilience and resourcefulness.
I found the book completely revelatory in so many ways (which might simply be a face-saving confession of my ignorance about the plight of Tibet and Tibetan refugees). I learn, for example, that not only is the Dalai Lama living in exile, but so is the whole Tibetan government, and it has been doing that for over fifty years! I cannot even get my head around an entire government operating in exile status! I also fell into the trap (more confessed ignorance!) based on iconic images and statues of Buddha of thinking Buddhism is exclusively a male-dominated religion. Not so! Apparently, there also exist female Buddhist deities.
Amy Yee has written a great book in so many ways, but I’m convinced there is an overarching urgent message in her writing. The Tibetans who fled for their lives or were forcibly displaced is just the tip of the iceberg, as a quick search of any human rights organization will reveal. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that at the end of 2023, the global number of displaced persons had risen to over 117 million, or 1.5 percent of world population. That number is still on the rise in early 2024.
December 21, 2023
Wanderers, people watchers, animal lovers and policy wonks alike will find meaning in her first book. She combines a journalist's keen eye and a traveler's heart to her subject.
At a time when division defines many peoples' lives, Ms Yee is cataloging communities that fight for connection. We could all learn a little something from the experiences she shares.
Ms Yee's writing placed me squarely in the center of the narrative -- I could feel the textures and taste the dust. The impact of the Chinese government's human rights violations ripped at my heart.
At a time when division defines many peoples' lives, Ms Yee is cataloging communities that fight for connection. We could all learn a little something from the experiences she shares.
Ms Yee's writing placed me squarely in the center of the narrative -- I could feel the textures and taste the dust. The impact of the Chinese government's human rights violations ripped at my heart.
January 24, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. The geopolitical turmoil of Tibet comes to the fore in the day to day stories of 4 Tibetans living in exile. The wonderfully flowing accounts of their lives truly makes you a fly on the wall (or in the soup) in this overarching story of the Tibetan people’s struggles and hardships in the face of a goliath.
September 2, 2024
Amy Yee's well-written travelogue/memoir of her friendships with the Tibetan diaspora. She introduces us to a handful of Tibetan exiles she meets in India, tells us their stories that brought them to India, and, years later, meets them scattered around the world (Australia, Belgium, NYC). I liked her vivid descriptions of her subjects.
But, to my annoyance, she did not seem to have a kind word for India (where she was living and working for years). Her descriptions of the buses belching fumes, the open sewers, the argumentative Indians,... made me think that she didn't have anything nice to say to any of them. Even the couple of Indians who appear sympathetic in her narration were Indians deeply immersed in the Tibetan exile community. Perhaps India, not being the primary subject of her book, appears out-of-focus, distorted in her narration.
But, to my annoyance, she did not seem to have a kind word for India (where she was living and working for years). Her descriptions of the buses belching fumes, the open sewers, the argumentative Indians,... made me think that she didn't have anything nice to say to any of them. Even the couple of Indians who appear sympathetic in her narration were Indians deeply immersed in the Tibetan exile community. Perhaps India, not being the primary subject of her book, appears out-of-focus, distorted in her narration.
January 26, 2024
"Far from the rooftop of the world" is far from what you'd expect of a book on Tibetans. It's about a poeple left behind by capital H history, which moved to more photogenic (usually meaning more violent or bloody) struggles. The author recounts the Tibetans' dilemmas (follow Tibetan or international education? stay in India or go halfway across the world and risk never seeing your family again?) without lecturing about the right answers to these impossible questions.
It's a book about much more than Tibet. It's about what makes a nation and what it takes to preserve it.
It's a book about much more than Tibet. It's about what makes a nation and what it takes to preserve it.
November 13, 2024
This is a skilled, warm and provocative account of the Tibetan refugee community that spans multiple continents. It's relevant to the moment, particularly given the current conflict between globalist and populist factions. It spends quite of bit of its time on a composite portrait of the Dalai Lama, and his oft-repeated view that the Chinese people---as opposed to the Chinese government---can institute change regarding the oppression of Tibet. Readers sensitive to cultural affairs should find it informative and provocative.
August 16, 2023
An excellent, first-of-its-kind book about Tibetan refugees --many who have never lived in Tibet--as their community under the Dalai Lama is in exile in Dharamsala, India. The stories of the different refugees and their journeys are fascinating--and movingly told by award-winning journalist Amy Yee. The book has a foreword by the Dalai Lama.
January 16, 2025
This beautiful book surprised me. There is much more memoir aspects in Far From the Rooftop of the World than I expected, but I enjoyed those parts best. Amy Yee couldn't help but be a part of the story when it came to finding humanity in such a difficult time of unrest. This book is powerful. I highly recommend reading.
March 11, 2024
Good Overview of Refugee Experience
An American journalist of Chinese heritage follows Tibetan refugees from India near Nepal to farther parts of the country, Australia and United States. Shows how tough life can be for migrants and the ways they adapt and live.
An American journalist of Chinese heritage follows Tibetan refugees from India near Nepal to farther parts of the country, Australia and United States. Shows how tough life can be for migrants and the ways they adapt and live.
November 7, 2023
Fabulous read - Amy Yee is a fantastic story-teller. I haven’t enjoyed a book this much in a long time. If you are looking for an interesting read - I highly recommend this book.
December 21, 2023
An insightful and moving story of a population I've had little contact with and whose story represents so many migrants today.
January 6, 2024
Excellent and empathetic journey through the plight of many Tibetan refugees in India. I had no idea of the extreme situation in Tibet! A MUST READ!
January 24, 2024
Wonderful, if uneven, read for readers like me with a deep interest in Tibetan culture and history.
February 26, 2024
Absolutely loved this book. Amy Yee's passion and heart comes through everywhere. At the same time it presents an important and insightful snapshot of the ordinary members the Tibetan diaspora.
January 13, 2025
Very good and fascinating topic. The book spans multiple continents and follows the lives of several different people as they grow and change after losing their country.
The plight of the Tibetan people is so understated these days. You rarely hear about it on the news and even with the work done by the Dalai Lama, it’s hard to remember that he is their representative and not a representative of the Buddhism first.
This book illustrates the danger that the Tibetans go through in their escapes from Tibet and the horrors they go through in trying to live just being themselves in China. Yet it also shows how compassionate and passionate they are.
Highly recommend.
The plight of the Tibetan people is so understated these days. You rarely hear about it on the news and even with the work done by the Dalai Lama, it’s hard to remember that he is their representative and not a representative of the Buddhism first.
This book illustrates the danger that the Tibetans go through in their escapes from Tibet and the horrors they go through in trying to live just being themselves in China. Yet it also shows how compassionate and passionate they are.
Highly recommend.
April 2, 2024
I loved the ordinary moments that were described so evocatively.
2023
October 21, 2025Non-fiction November TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and University of North Carolina Press
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and University of North Carolina Press
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews