It is 1986. Claire and Susie, classmates just graduated from Brown University, are sitting and eating pancakes at IHOP in Providence. They decide, on the spot, to travel around the entire world – starting NOW. Claire is a Van Houten, coming from a wealthy family in CT. Susie is from NYC, at Brown on student loans. She has worked as a waitress to save up the money to travel and her family has no money to give her. Both decide to backpack around the world for one year, sidestepping job decisions and student loan angst. They have no agenda, know no one in Europe, China or Asia and go on a whim.
Their first stop is Hong Kong, enroute to Communist China, just open to Westerners. Neither girl, at 21, know each other very well, or what they will endure on their stay in China. As they arrive in Hong Kong, they realize their homesickness. The hostels and hotels are barbaric. Roaches crawl the walls. The toilets are public troughs. The food is barely edible. And neither girl speaks a word of dialect – Chinese, Mandarin – nothing.
They meet a strange German named Gunter on the sail to China on the Jin Jiang, a cruise boat. He speaks Mandarin and decides to join them.
In China, things spiral downward. This intrepid true story of two young American women in Communist China moves and sighs as Susie and Claire not only have to struggle with a culture totally foreign to them and all Westerners, but also their own realization that spending every day with each other is torture. Susie contracts a cough. Claire goes off every day to “do surveillance” not telling Susie anything. Claire’s realities start to blur: they are being followed by the CIA, the FBI; they will be caught any moment. She hears voices.
The kindness of strangers is all that keeps them on a survival track. Gunter leaves. The two girls fight their isolation and alienation, both within and without.
A tremendous true account of sheer courage and bravado of two young girls, as well as a wonderful panorama of the politics and more of Communist China at the time. The Cold War, the girls’ inability to find nutritious food, their inability to communicate, or even take showers, to stay clean – all add up as the two girls struggle farther and farther into China. As it becomes apparent that Claire is breaking down mentally and Susie cannot save her – and the Chinese don’t want someone mentally ill in their country – Susie commits to getting her friend out – if she can. Claire has no passport, no documentation, nothing – and the situation becomes dire.
I could not put this true novel down, and it is a once in a lifetime read. Absolutely stunning in description, obstacles and the human spirit – and what it can accomplish.
Ratings are based on a 5-star scale
Plot: 5
Characters: 5
Presentation: 5
Overall: 5
Book Review by Broad “A” – Ava
Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven is available for purchase at Amazon.com for $10.07
Thank you to the Hachette Book Group for providing this title for our book review as well as this giveaway. We were in no way paid or compensated for our opinions.
Enter Daily
Extra Entries
In order for Extra Entries to be valid, you must first enter via the above form!
- Become a fan of The Broads on Facebook <<< NEW!
- Blog about this giveaway on YOUR blog!
- Follow the Review Broads – on the sidebar
- Subscribe to The Review Broads for FREE
- Link to this giveaway on your Facebook page
- Follow Bro’B’s new blog – I Pity the Blog
- Follow Broad “Z” on twitter.
- Grab our badge from the sidebar and add it to your site.
- Twitter this giveaway.
- Be sure to leave a comment letting me know if you’ve done any of these (if you already subscribe or have our badge – please note that in the comments as well).
* This giveaway is open to US residents, 18 and over and ends on February 28, 2010 11:59 EST.
* The winner will be randomly chosen and contacted via email.
* The winner has 48 hours to respond to my email or an alternate winner will be chosen.
* Please make sure you check your junk mail folder
* Good Luck
I subscribe via email.
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
I subscribe via email.
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
I subscribe!
Samfor3@aol.com
I follow Broad Z on twitter
Samfor3@aol.com
I follow “I Pity the Blog”.
Samfor3@aol.com
I subscribe!
Samfor3@aol.com
I follow Broad Z on twitter
Samfor3@aol.com
I follow “I Pity the Blog”.
Samfor3@aol.com
facebook fan of the review broads:
Cheryl Newman Bradley (cln1812)
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
blogged about it here:
http://proudboobymama.blogspot.com/2010/02/valentines-day-giveaways.html
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
facebook fan of the review broads:
Cheryl Newman Bradley (cln1812)
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
blogged about it here:
http://proudboobymama.blogspot.com/2010/02/valentines-day-giveaways.html
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
follow the review broads publicly on google friend connect:
Cheryl Bradley
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
email subscriber to the review broads:
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
shared on Facebook both on status & links:
Cheryl Newman Bradley (cln1812)
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
FB link:
http://www.facebook.com/cln1812?v=app_2309869772#!/cln1812?v=feed&story_fbid=302033064371&ref=share
follow i pity the blog on google friend connect:
Cheryl Bradley
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
follow z on twitter @cln1812
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
2/14 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/9113927616
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
your badge is on my sidebar:
http://proudboobymama.blogspot.com/
follow the review broads publicly on google friend connect:
Cheryl Bradley
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
email subscriber to the review broads:
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
shared on Facebook both on status & links:
Cheryl Newman Bradley (cln1812)
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
FB link:
http://www.facebook.com/cln1812?v=app_2309869772#!/cln1812?v=feed&story_fbid=302033064371&ref=share
follow i pity the blog on google friend connect:
Cheryl Bradley
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
follow z on twitter @cln1812
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
2/14 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/9113927616
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
your badge is on my sidebar:
http://proudboobymama.blogspot.com/
e-mail subscriber.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com
Following Bro B's blog.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com
Following Broad Z on Twitter.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com
Facebook fan.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com
e-mail subscriber.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com
Following Bro B's blog.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com
Following Broad Z on Twitter.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com
Facebook fan.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com
I just read this – and really enjoyed it!
follower
I just read this – and really enjoyed it!
follower
I am a follower!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
I am a follower!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
2/15 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/9169936485
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
2/15 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/9169936485
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
Following the Review Broads via google friends connect!
Barb
barbs562@gmail.com
subscribed to the review broads!
barbs562@gmail.com
folllowing you on twitter!!! (winterbabe98)
barbs562@gmail.com
Following the Review Broads via google friends connect!
Barb
barbs562@gmail.com
subscribed to the review broads!
barbs562@gmail.com
folllowing you on twitter!!! (winterbabe98)
barbs562@gmail.com
I heard this was really good.
77willow@gmai.com
follower
GFC Follower & Subscriber
gcwhiskas at aol dot com
I heard this was really good.
77willow@gmai.com
follower
GFC Follower & Subscriber
gcwhiskas at aol dot com
Follow the Review Broads, carawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
Subscriber to the Review Boards, carawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
Follow Bro'B's new blog – I Pity the Blog , carawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
Follow Broad “Z” on twitter. @carafferty, carawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
Badge on blog, http://cindywindylovesblogsnfrogs.blogspot.com/ carawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
tweet http://twitter.com/carafferty/status/9249254984
carawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
Follow the Review Broads, carawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
Subscriber to the Review Boards, carawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
Follow Bro'B's new blog – I Pity the Blog , carawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
Follow Broad “Z” on twitter. @carafferty, carawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
Badge on blog, http://cindywindylovesblogsnfrogs.blogspot.com/ carawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
tweet http://twitter.com/carafferty/status/9249254984
carawling(at)hotmail(dot)com
I'm an email subscriber.
mamie316(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
I'm a fan on Facebook.
mamie316(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
I follow on Google Friend Connect 🙂
mamie316(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
I'm an email subscriber.
mamie316(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
I'm a fan on Facebook.
mamie316(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
I follow on Google Friend Connect 🙂
mamie316(at)sbcglobal(dot)net
2/17 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/9265656564
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
2/17 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/9265656564
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
email subscriber
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
I follow your blog.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
email subscriber
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
I follow your blog.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
I'm a Facebook fan!
I subscribe!
I follow on Broad “Z” on twitter!
I twiitered this giveaway!
threejellybeans@hotmail.com
facebook fan
copperllama at yahoo dot com
follow blog
copperllama at yahoo dot com
subscriber
copperllama at yahoo dot com
I follow I Pity the Blog
copperllama at yahoo dot com
follow on twitter
@copperllama
copperllama at yahoo dot com
have badge
http://copperllamastudio.blogspot.com/
copperllama at yahoo dot com
I'm a Facebook fan!
I subscribe!
I follow on Broad “Z” on twitter!
I twiitered this giveaway!
threejellybeans@hotmail.com
facebook fan
copperllama at yahoo dot com
follow blog
copperllama at yahoo dot com
subscriber
copperllama at yahoo dot com
I follow I Pity the Blog
copperllama at yahoo dot com
follow on twitter
@copperllama
copperllama at yahoo dot com
have badge
http://copperllamastudio.blogspot.com/
copperllama at yahoo dot com
2/18 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/9314445704
2/18 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/9314445704
I am a FB fan (Tracy Guenther)
I follow your blog (taglinedesigns)
I follow I Pity the Blog (taglinedesigns)
I Follow Broad “Z” on twitter.
(taglinedesigns)
I am a FB fan (Tracy Guenther)
I follow your blog (taglinedesigns)
I follow I Pity the Blog (taglinedesigns)
I Follow Broad “Z” on twitter.
(taglinedesigns)
FB fan.
I subscribe by email.
FB fan.
I subscribe by email.
I'm a fan on FB
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
I subscribe
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
I follow
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
I follow on Twitter: nfmgirl
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
I have your badge:
http://cerebralgirl.blogspot.com/
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
Blogged:
http://cerebralgirl.blogspot.com/2010/02/book-giveaways-in-blogworld-02-20-10.html
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
Tweet:
http://twitter.com/nfmgirl/status/9495069761
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
I'm a fan on FB
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
I subscribe
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
I follow
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
I follow on Twitter: nfmgirl
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
I have your badge:
http://cerebralgirl.blogspot.com/
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
Blogged:
http://cerebralgirl.blogspot.com/2010/02/book-giveaways-in-blogworld-02-20-10.html
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
Tweet:
http://twitter.com/nfmgirl/status/9495069761
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
2/22 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/9510808764
2/22 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/9510808764
2/24 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/9602587189
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
2/24 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/9602587189
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
2/25 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/9659310460
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
2/25 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/9659310460
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
2/27 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/9760027107
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
2/27 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/9760027107
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
I'm a facebook fan
kowandamcbride at yahoo dot com
I subscribe via email
kowandamcbride at yahoo dot com
I'm a facebook fan
kowandamcbride at yahoo dot com
I subscribe via email
kowandamcbride at yahoo dot com
I follow the review broads publicly on google friend connect:
nbmars AT yahoo DOT com
I follow the review broads publicly on google friend connect:
nbmars AT yahoo DOT com
Subscriber.
lex.redding@yahoo.com
Subscriber.
lex.redding@yahoo.com
2/28 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/9809218082
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
Facebook Fan- The Broads
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Follower
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
email subscriber
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
I follow Bro B I Pity the Blog
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
I follow Broad Z on Twitter
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Tweet! Tweet!
http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/9810809768
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
2/28 tweet:
http://twitter.com/cln1812/status/9809218082
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com
Facebook Fan- The Broads
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Follower
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
email subscriber
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
I follow Bro B I Pity the Blog
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
I follow Broad Z on Twitter
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Tweet! Tweet!
http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/9810809768
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net