What do you think?
Rate this book
Yak Girl: Growing Up in the Remote Dolpo Region of Nepal
This unusual memoir immerses the reader in the fascinating story of a spirited girl in a remote, undeveloped region of Nepal near the border of Tibet, a place made known to the world in Peter Matthiesen's The Snow Leopard. Life above 13,000 feet in northern Dolpo―often called the last paradise because of its breathtaking snow-capped peaks, untouched beauty, and hand-irrigated green pastures―was one of constant risk and harsh survival. In the 1980s, Dolpo had no running water, electricity, motor vehicles, phones, school, or doctors, other than the local lamas, trained in the use of herbs and prayer.
Dorje Dolma's life centered around the care of her numerous younger brothers and sisters and the family's sheep, goats, and yaks. At age five she began herding and was soon taking the animals high in the mountains, where she fought off predatory wolves and snow leopards. Covering her first ten years, the story takes Dorje from her primitive mountain village to the bewildering city of Kathmandu, and finally to a new home in America, where she receives life-saving surgery.
With humor, soul, and insightful detail, the author gives us vividly told vignettes of daily life and the practice of centuries-old Tibetan traditions. She details the heartbreaking trials, natural splendors, and familial joys of growing up in this mysterious, faraway part of the world with its vanishing culture. The sharp increase in recent years of western trekkers to the area, and the introduction of modern communication and transportation, is causing rapid change in Dolpo. This wonderful and surprising tale of survival, loss, and self-reflection offers us entry to this difficult, yet magical, place.
Above all, this is the inspiring story of an indomitable spirit conquering all obstacles, a tale of a girl with a disability on her way to becoming a dynamic woman in a new world.
Dorje Dolma's life centered around the care of her numerous younger brothers and sisters and the family's sheep, goats, and yaks. At age five she began herding and was soon taking the animals high in the mountains, where she fought off predatory wolves and snow leopards. Covering her first ten years, the story takes Dorje from her primitive mountain village to the bewildering city of Kathmandu, and finally to a new home in America, where she receives life-saving surgery.
With humor, soul, and insightful detail, the author gives us vividly told vignettes of daily life and the practice of centuries-old Tibetan traditions. She details the heartbreaking trials, natural splendors, and familial joys of growing up in this mysterious, faraway part of the world with its vanishing culture. The sharp increase in recent years of western trekkers to the area, and the introduction of modern communication and transportation, is causing rapid change in Dolpo. This wonderful and surprising tale of survival, loss, and self-reflection offers us entry to this difficult, yet magical, place.
Above all, this is the inspiring story of an indomitable spirit conquering all obstacles, a tale of a girl with a disability on her way to becoming a dynamic woman in a new world.
300 pages, Paperback
First published January 7, 2018
38 people are currently reading
490 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 11, 2019
With so much to love about YAK GIRL: Growing Up in the Remote Dolpo Region of Nepal by Dorje Dolma, I find it hard to know where to start. First, Dorje Dolma herself is infinitely endearing in her account of her early childhood high in the mountains, herding stubborn goats and sheep by herself, defending them from snow leopards and wolves, and surviving storms, cold, and hunger. At the same time she embraced the stark beauty of the landscape and life with her close-knit family with uncommon emotional intelligence. So many of her siblings and beloved relatives died that it would be hard for even the reader to bear were it not for the compassion and growth with which she meets each heartbreak. It's not until fairly late in the book that we learn how much pain Dorje is in from the serious scoliosis that threatens her own life. Her story of how she came to be sponsored by generous Americans Jennifer and Steven to come to the United States for an education and extensive medical care is one of the most gripping parts and brought tears to my eyes. This powerful memoir is radiant with heart in the context of Tibetan culture and our shared humanity.
August 4, 2021
“Their apartment was cozy and spotless, with soft beds and shiny furniture. In their living room was a tall lamp that I was completely fixated on because I was so unfamiliar with electrical objects. It was bright like the sun and I could turn it off and on by pulling a string attached to the lamp. ‘Why don’t we have such a light in Dolpo?’ I wondered. In Dolpo we only had butter lamps for light. If the butter lamp got blown out by a breeze or got knocked down, we sat in the dark until someone found a match. Once again I feel like I have landed on another planet.”
Unique story simply written by a Nepalese girl who herds goats at six years of age, fighting snow leopards in high remote mountain peaks. She has aeveral brushes with near death, getting trapped in snow and rain storms but her spirit is strong. I thought it was going to be more about her scoliosis and transition to living in the states, but most of it was her life with her family in Dolpo, the small mountain village and entry into school in Kathmandu. I am really glad I read this, since these types of stories are so rare.
Unique story simply written by a Nepalese girl who herds goats at six years of age, fighting snow leopards in high remote mountain peaks. She has aeveral brushes with near death, getting trapped in snow and rain storms but her spirit is strong. I thought it was going to be more about her scoliosis and transition to living in the states, but most of it was her life with her family in Dolpo, the small mountain village and entry into school in Kathmandu. I am really glad I read this, since these types of stories are so rare.
June 19, 2021
Fascinating biographical tale. Dorje Dolman's childhood in Nepal as the title suggest, as the Yak girl. A story of hardship and hope and love. The strength of the Nepalese people cannot be underestimated, it's a tough life. Survival is not assured at any level. There were none of what we would consider conveniences, electricity, running water, heat, and don't forget food. No stores, nothing but the ingenuity of a people used to hard work and scrabble with little reward. As a very young girl Dorje was responsible for watching her younger sisters and brothers and caring for the herd of sheep and goats while protecting the herd from predators. There's no time for self-pity, she just gets on with it. A truly remarkable beginning to her life.
May 26, 2021
This is an astonishing, heart-rending story, of a six year old charged with keeping the family's herd of sheep and goats safe against snow leopards and wolves. A tale of desperate poverty and awful living conditions in the high Himalayas but it is SUCH a pity that the writer didn't have help from a good editor. The acknowledgements mention one person - a friend, I assume - who 'made my book readable for the public' and made 'sense of what I wrote in my imperfect English' but I wonder if this process also eradicated the authorial voice? Surely the author didn't really come up with the Western concepts of 'brainstorming', 'covering a shift', and 'rehab'? There is also talk of walking several 'blocks' in a village in the high Himalayas - a concept that is soooo out of place, and there are references to coyotes which only exist in north America and not at all in Asia; I presume this is a mistranslation meaning jackal.
I did find the structure of the book difficult too. In chapter three we learn of the sad demise of Dorje's sister and then her infant brother, and in chapter 5 of the passing of her grandparents but in subsequent chapters we meet these characters again, and learn of love and kindness. It seemed odd to meet them properly - so to speak - after their deaths.
The copy of the book I read was a Pilgrims edition and there are problems wherever italics are used so that in some places words overlie each other so are illegible. There are even such problems on the back cover text. Pilgrims are sometimes accused of pirating books (although this edition states it was "reprinted with permission of Sentient Publications") and it may be this isn't a problem in the original edition, but the Pilgrims edition looks rather like a self-published book, with margins too narrow.
In many ways, then, this book could have been so much more powerful and the author better recognized for her amazing fortitude and resourcefulness. I don't think, as it is, it does her justice. But read it for the insight into the incredibly tough life in the mountains, and to explode the myth of Shangri La idylls.
I did find the structure of the book difficult too. In chapter three we learn of the sad demise of Dorje's sister and then her infant brother, and in chapter 5 of the passing of her grandparents but in subsequent chapters we meet these characters again, and learn of love and kindness. It seemed odd to meet them properly - so to speak - after their deaths.
The copy of the book I read was a Pilgrims edition and there are problems wherever italics are used so that in some places words overlie each other so are illegible. There are even such problems on the back cover text. Pilgrims are sometimes accused of pirating books (although this edition states it was "reprinted with permission of Sentient Publications") and it may be this isn't a problem in the original edition, but the Pilgrims edition looks rather like a self-published book, with margins too narrow.
In many ways, then, this book could have been so much more powerful and the author better recognized for her amazing fortitude and resourcefulness. I don't think, as it is, it does her justice. But read it for the insight into the incredibly tough life in the mountains, and to explode the myth of Shangri La idylls.
May 15, 2018
This was an interesting read about Dorje Dolma, who lived in the remote Dolpo region of Nepal. There are no roads there and when her parents took her to Kathmandu to get medical help, it took a month of walking. There are no schools and Dorje herded her goats, sheep and yaks in the mountains, miles from home from the time she was a tiny girl (like 5 yrs old). This was a great insight into a world that I had never thought about.
Once I understood that most of the book was about her life before she left the Dolpo region, then I enjoyed it. But, since she would have died from her severe scoliosis and was taken to America, I thought there would be more about her adjustment there.
This was a g rated book, with nothing objectionable.
Once I understood that most of the book was about her life before she left the Dolpo region, then I enjoyed it. But, since she would have died from her severe scoliosis and was taken to America, I thought there would be more about her adjustment there.
This was a g rated book, with nothing objectionable.
March 14, 2018
What a breathtaking book! Dorje's story is at once fascinating and poignant with moments of humor. The stories that stuck with me the most are with her as the caregiver to her sick grandparents, aunts and siblings at such a young age. I also love her descriptions of the natural beauty, nature's healing effects, and the Dolpo culture. For so many reasons, it's a book in fully intend to read this with my nature-loving son when he gets a bit older.
April 5, 2021
A great story. The 2nd quarter of the book has a lot of death and it bogs down, but the ending is great and the only problem with it is that a lot is glossed over very quickly. Perhaps she can write another book that elaborates on the epilogue of the book.
Very interesting life. What changes she has seen! Interesting read. Recommended.
Very interesting life. What changes she has seen! Interesting read. Recommended.
May 24, 2018
This book opened my eyes to a culture very different from my own. I can hardly imagine that in this day and age, people are still living without any modern medicine, power, or running water. They pay a hard price for living at the top of the world. It was a very interesting memoir.
July 23, 2019
What an amazing memory this young girl had of her childhood - so descriptive, clearly explained and
very perceptive. Enjoyed learning about this interesting culture and the way they are coping with Westernisation.
very perceptive. Enjoyed learning about this interesting culture and the way they are coping with Westernisation.
March 19, 2021
Fantastic book.
February 10, 2022
4.5 stars.
Such an amazing read. Dolma tells a beautiful and inspiring story of her childhood that opens any readers mind to the countless ways people live - and how organizations that help children in other countries truly change the course of lives for the better.
Such an amazing read. Dolma tells a beautiful and inspiring story of her childhood that opens any readers mind to the countless ways people live - and how organizations that help children in other countries truly change the course of lives for the better.
August 25, 2021
I'm glad that I stumble upon this book in Boulder Public Library; reading about Dorje Dolma's unique life story was a mesmerizing experience. Although child neglect, childhood poverty, and hunger are common in Nepal, her childhood was particularly brutal, even by Nepalese standards. At a very age, she lived a tough life in a remote mountain village of Dolpo -- herding sheep, goats, and yak; then a life of abject poverty in Kathmandu -- having to beg for food and clothes. She witnessed several tragic incidents in her family -- traumatic burn injury to her sister, family members dying due to preventable disease, and she herself suffered from severe scoliosis on her back. She wouldn't have survived if she wasn't adopted and brought to the US by an American couple who found her medical treatment. In the end, it has a happy ending: she and her siblings did well in their life; she is now able to tell her story in the form of this well-written book. I also loved watching the documentary "The only son" mentioned at the end of the book.
December 29, 2020
This is probably one of the best books I've ever read. Dorje tells a beautiful story of growing up in a remote region in Nepal. Her writing transports the reader to the mountains of Dolpo and provides an exciting new perspective of a world very few will ever experience.
March 23, 2019
Fascinating read.
May 13, 2019
The story itself was very interesting and offers a unique perspective on a very different way of life.
September 30, 2019
Wonderful, inspiring book
March 30, 2020
A very interesting perspective!
July 17, 2025
Dorje's evocative prose in her latest book isn't just a story; for me, it was a profound journey home. Having spent many years of my childhood in Kathmandu, Nepal, during the very period Dorje so vividly describes, I can attest to the unwavering authenticity of her narrative. Her words paint a picture of Nepal at that time that is genuinely, remarkably accurate.
Beyond the bustling streets of Kathmandu, I also had the privilege of embarking on numerous treks into Nepal's isolated mountains, an experience that deepened my connection to the country. Reading Dorje's book, I was effortlessly transported back to those formative years. Every page resonated with my own enduring memories, from the sights and sounds of the city to the profound peace of the remote landscapes.
This book is a testament to Dorje's keen observation and heartfelt understanding of Nepal. It's a must-read for anyone who has experienced the magic of the Himalayas or who wishes to understand the heart of this incredible nation during a pivotal time. Thank you, Dorje, for this beautiful and deeply moving return to a cherished past.
Beyond the bustling streets of Kathmandu, I also had the privilege of embarking on numerous treks into Nepal's isolated mountains, an experience that deepened my connection to the country. Reading Dorje's book, I was effortlessly transported back to those formative years. Every page resonated with my own enduring memories, from the sights and sounds of the city to the profound peace of the remote landscapes.
This book is a testament to Dorje's keen observation and heartfelt understanding of Nepal. It's a must-read for anyone who has experienced the magic of the Himalayas or who wishes to understand the heart of this incredible nation during a pivotal time. Thank you, Dorje, for this beautiful and deeply moving return to a cherished past.
April 25, 2025
Nepal Memoir
Like: cool!
Dislike: her deadbeat dad shirked his duties so the author AT SIX YEARS OLD was fighting wolves and snow leopards to protect their animals, the dad keeps leaving his family to starve, coming back to impregnate (then abandon) her mom AGAIN, making messes and trashing the house, picking fights when he drops by, and generally making life a living hell for everyone…
yet she blames her mother.
Her mother is depressed after five of her children horrifically die, she “nags”… and she stays. She fetches water, keeps the fire going, grinding grain, raising crops, cooks, cleans, and sacrifices everything — everything — to keep her remaining children safe, fed, and cared for.
Yet the author worships her dad and hates her mother.
She also worships her thieving, lying, charming male cousin while disdaining women cousins.
Worships boy children while disdaining girl children.
It’s heartbreaking.
And kinda made me mad.
But I understand that’s just the culture: men can do no wrong and women are worthless and disposable.
Like: cool!
Dislike: her deadbeat dad shirked his duties so the author AT SIX YEARS OLD was fighting wolves and snow leopards to protect their animals, the dad keeps leaving his family to starve, coming back to impregnate (then abandon) her mom AGAIN, making messes and trashing the house, picking fights when he drops by, and generally making life a living hell for everyone…
yet she blames her mother.
Her mother is depressed after five of her children horrifically die, she “nags”… and she stays. She fetches water, keeps the fire going, grinding grain, raising crops, cooks, cleans, and sacrifices everything — everything — to keep her remaining children safe, fed, and cared for.
Yet the author worships her dad and hates her mother.
She also worships her thieving, lying, charming male cousin while disdaining women cousins.
Worships boy children while disdaining girl children.
It’s heartbreaking.
And kinda made me mad.
But I understand that’s just the culture: men can do no wrong and women are worthless and disposable.
March 15, 2025
This is a wonderful memoir of Dorge's childhood in an almost inaccessible region of Nepal. I had the good fortune to visit Nepal forty years ago, and still remember it as wonderful place, with delightful people whose great spirit enable them to smile through the incredible conditions they live with. Her family and relatives lived a mostly medieval life in a very isolated area, where it is so mountainous the residents have to rebuild paths every year. Roads do not exist, at least at the time she wrote about. As a very young child she was responsible for taking the family herds hours away and bring them home every day. Amazing. Dorma's bright spirit , despite all her hardships when she had an extremely severe scoliosis, had me loving her and her family. So glad I read this, and thanks to whoever recomended it to me.
March 3, 2023
A wonderful memoir of a girl growing up in the remote Dolpo region of Nepal. Before reading the book, I didn't give much thought to Dolpo. It was just a place on the map on the other side of the world. After reading the book and seeing the photos the author provided in the book, it left me wanting to know more about the region. The writing is a little choppy and difficult to follow sometimes; however, it sounds authentic. Written from a young girl's point of view growing up in a very remote area and discovering a bigger world with more opportunities.
July 17, 2025
The story of Dorje Dolma and her journey from her village in Dolpo to the US was very interesting and it offers a charming view into a very different way of life - Dolma writes with her heart on her sleeve and while not the most mellifluous, does what needs to do. The structure was perhaps a little too confusing for me since there were abrupt shifts here and there and I wish there was a better flow but I did enjoy reading her life story.
September 9, 2025
A little slow of a read, but still fascinating to hear about a culture I haven't thought about much before. So interesting how much responsibility what we in North American would consider a young child has in this community. Protecting sheep from wolves and snow leopards at ages 5-7? I couldn't even imagine my kids in that scenario.
February 13, 2022
I loved this book! So amazing to learn about such a remote area and group of people. I only wish she had gone more into her recovery and life in America!
April 6, 2024
Beautiful book, read it in a few days. If you want to know more about life in the Dolpa region or northern Nepal and a beautiful story, it’s a must!
December 22, 2024
This is an amazing autobiography. The author, Dorje Dolma, spent the first years of her life in the remote Dolpo region of Nepal, near the border with Tibet. Her family and neighbors were part of an ancient culture in the beautiful Himalayan mountains where life continues exactly as it has for hundreds of years. She experienced hardships and tragedies as well as joy, beauty and peace. As a small child she began herding the family's sheep and goats, including encounters with wolves and snow leopards. When she was a little older she also herded cattle and yaks. Her book is filled with vivid memories of those early years, including dangerous adventures, loving family members, fun festivals and details about the Dolpo culture, religious beliefs and myths. When she was about 9, her family made a month long hike out to Kathmandu, seeking medical help for her life threatening condition. It was also her first opportunity to attend school and learn the Tibetan, Nepalese and English languages. Eventually she would travel to America for life saving surgeries, where she would find a new life and continue her education. This is one of the best books I've read to gain understanding about an area and culture previously unknown to me. It is written in a way that makes the reader feel like they are experiencing life at Dorje's side. And although it includes much tragedy, there is also love and humor in the telling.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2024
Not great literature, but a delightful read. A fascinating glimpse of a Nepalese-Tibetan culture that seems largely indistinguishable from centuries past, re-told by a grown woman who successfully recaptures her experiences and perspectives from when she was a young girl. Best read in small doses or it would get a bit repetitive -- until the tone shifts with her stunningly rapid transition into the modern Western world, which is equally fascinating.
November 23, 2023
If you read this...follow up with "The Only Son" documentary on YouTube(The story of her brother).
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews