Ahimsa: My Journey to Veganism Via an Indian Animal Sanctuary

by Caroline Earle

In Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, respect for all living things and avoidance of violence towards others.On a 32,000 km journey through six Asian countries over six months, Caroline, a journalist, and her husband David, a retired paramedic, become increasingly aware of animal welfare, poverty and what we are doing to the planet. They had no idea when they set off that they were going to end up vegan. Ahimsa is the story of their journey, meeting colourful characters and exploring many philosophical themes along the way. It is topical and questioning, in parts funny, sad and increasingly angry.

273 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2019

Reviews

[Roy McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this book is described as the author’s personal journey to veganism, it is first of all a travelogue. This reader is a confirmed homebird and I rely on others to bring the world to me. Caroline does this with a vengeance. We both share what is, by world standards, something of a privileged lifestyle. However, Caroline demands more and with her husband David she has the ideal partner for adventure. They are not beginners and are well aware of the lack of home comforts they will encounter as they set off for several months travelling through south east Asia and the Indian sub-continent. Not for them the air conditioned coaches and western-type hotels which I would insist upon. Instead they get down and dirty, budget travel and accommodation, cheek by jowl with the locals. We get the descriptions in unrelenting detail – the poverty and deprivation, the people’s daily battle to survive, the misery, yet also the unlikely happiness and good nature of many. They rarely feel unsafe though, as western travellers with money in their pockets they are constantly harassed.
Caroline’s writing style, as befits a journalist by trade, is direct, sharp, to the point. There is no sugar coating and no pretending there is much hope for redemption from a life of basic subsistence for many. Neither is there flowery imagery or superfluous wordage such that the novelist might be tempted with. But there is plenty of humour and absurdity amongst the tear-wrenching moments.
And there are, of course, the animals. Caroline and David were already inching towards veganism but the sheer horror of how our fellow creatures are routinely treated sealed the deal. And in this part of the world the cruelty is on display, not hidden behind high walls and fancy marketing techniques. The pair spend time helping in an animal sanctuary which reinforces the truism that animals feel emotions just as humans do.
An awesome book, I wish I could give it more than five stars. It also reminds me to stay firmly at home.

[Chantelle-emma Hilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great read, it really opens up parts of the world for those who have not yet traveled and underlines a very serious consideration on the topic of Veganism and gives context to its deep rooted meaning and why so many people have decided to embrace this way of life. Between the hard hitting and at times tear enducing encounters some great humor and uplifting themes emerged. Being a meat eater it really highlighted how important animals are to the world and that there are people and practices that put greed before the environment and the rights of animals. This has been a big eye-opener and given me a lot to think about. Even if you take only 1 thing away from this book, please let it be the impact your choices have on the world.