Treasures of the Thunder Dragon [Paperback] Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck

by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck

books

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

232 pages, Paperback

First published May 21, 2018

Reviews

[Abi SF]

A fascinating insight into the history of Bhutan from the Queen's mother, who herself went on a journey of discovery through the country.

The negatives - in places it was very fact heavy and that really slowed the pace.

Positives - the anecdotes of the places she met, the vistas she saw and mountains she traversed, and her personal stories were absolutely fascinating. The altitude that many of the people work and live at is astounding, the animals rare and unseen and the spiritual history that gives such prominence to each place is ingrained into their being.

A really interesting book that tells of a world so real and so far away.

[Vineeth Nair]

A very vivid and interesting account of the Mountain Kingdom, its places, people and their culture. The more you read about the country, more you fall in love with it. Great read.

[Kanika]

I found this book a good accompaniment to my recent trip to Bhutan. It's well-written and gives an insight into Bhutanese culture and landscape. Of course, it is written by the Queen Mother so expect bias (e.g. no mention of the Lhotshampa refugee crisis). However, I would still highly recommend it to anyone visiting Bhutan.

[Hannah]

Global Read challenge 64: Bhutan

Obviously you have to take a memoir written by the Queen Mother with a couple tablespoons of salt. Her history of Bhutan is beautiful and interesting, but leaves out major things like in the 1980s when Bhutan stripped the Lhotsampa or ethnic Nepali minority of their citizenship and killed or displaced almost 1/3 of the population. To this day they aren't allowed to reclaim their Bhutanese citizenship.

There was a lot about this book to like. Bhutan sounds gorgeous and after reading this book, it is at the top of my list of destinations.

I also felt like I got a great glimpse of some cultural differences, like her confidence that her grandson is a reincarnated monk.

[Fern]

Conversational memoir by the Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck of Bhutan. Gives quite a bit of insight into the humble ways of the Bhutanese royalty. Her stories about being tied to a runaway horse while travelling to boarding school and her dream of a possible past life are narrated without sensationalism but with a rather endearing sincerity that convinces you of her earnestness. It’s a different country up there on the roof of the world.

[Wendy]

I went to Bhutan in the fall of 2018 with my brother. This book brings back so many memories of places we went and traditions that we witnessed. She is a gifted author!

[Som Ongmo]

Memoir by the Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck of Bhutan. Her majesty takes the reader across the country as she travels to the remotest part of the country. Inspiring journey of her majesty from being a normal child from Nobgang to being the queen of Bhutan.
If you want to travel to Bhutan virtually then this is the book. I am amazed that there are lots of things I do not know about my country.
Lots of information to take away from this one book. Must read by all.