A Woman's Asia: True Stories

by Marybeth Bond (Editor)

For Westerners, Asia has always had an exotic appeal. The cultures, religions, and ways of life across the continent are foreign to us, and thus compelling. We want to understand what it means to live in a place with 4,000 years of continuous civilization. We want to roam among the world’s highest mountains and explore the tropical backwaters full of mystery and intrigue. We want to see a tiger, ride an elephant, bask in the radiance of the monument of love, the Taj Mahal. In this new century especially, Asia is a continent for women to explore. Yes, there were predecessors, such as 19th century cultural explorer Isabella Bird, but women have turned to Asia in large numbers in recent years, finding a spiritual and emotional draw to the continent that goes beyond their call to more familiar places such as Europe and North America. Women are seeking adventure, connection, and an understanding of the world and its peoples, and no place offers a more enticing opportunity to do this than Asia.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published May 10, 2005

Reviews

[Susan Birrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting. I love travel novels, but this was just ok. Some of the stories were great. I basically skimmed through and read in no particular order.

[Joy Barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to admit, I didn’t read the whole book. I just picked out the essays of places that I’ve visited or will soon be visiting… mostly the Thailand, Japan, Korea, and Hong Kong essays. They were fairly interesting and much like reading someone’s travel journal. It reminds me about the awesome experience traveling can be- especially places so different than our Western culture. However, the essays didn’t provoke any deep emotions- mostly the book just got me excited about my upcoming trips!

[Jane Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Traveler's Tales anthologies never disappoint me. Mary Beth Bond edits and writes for this anthology of 35 stories inspired by travels to various countries in Asia. These tales vary from the humorous, (motorbiking in Vietnam with"Mr Handsome") to the tragically sad ("Thailand's Lost Children"), to the romantic ("Carried Away in Bhutan"). All are well-written and worthwhile reading for the travel aficionado.

[Jac · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of hit or miss. Excellent because it included stories of locations that went instantly into my to-travel list (Japanese alps anyone?), a little cringeworthy in some of the stories focusing on how authentic a poverty line existence is. Surprised that there weren't any women who had grown up in Asia represented in the authors, perhaps better titled "a western woman's Asia"? (And yes, I'm confident there are Asian women who have travelled in the region)

[K · Rating 1 out of 5]

I took real objection to this patronising, paternalistic and 'westerncentric' nature of this text (especially the chapter on begging!) Much of the ink was dedicated to complaining about the conditions in Asia and most of the writers just sound like spoilt, naive princesses.

I hated it.

[Esther · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is full of jewels, in regards to how to see the world when you travel. One of my favorites was and is:
The Gift of Beggars- Marjorie Hamlins

[Nooners · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a bit Oprah. Some stories are amazing, some stories are self-indulging nonsense that belong on such American talk shows, not on paper.

[Panchaali · Rating 1 out of 5]

The worst book I've read in a long time and I've read a couple of really bad ones this year.