November 15, 2021
Barry (We Ride upon Sticks) returns with the uneven story of a novice Buddhist monk’s search for an enlightened teacher believed to be reincarnated. Chuluun, 23, hasn’t seen his twin brother Mun for more than a year, ever since Mun renounced his vows at the monastery where they grew up. But after he retains Mun as his driver, the brothers set out across the vastness of Mongolia to look for the child among the Reindeer People of the north, the eagle hunters of the Altai Mountains, and the herders of the Gobi Desert. Along the way, Chuluun struggles with his decision over his final vows and tries to reconnect with Mun. It’s complicated, as the brothers can read each other’s thoughts, and Chuluun keeps Mun’s reason for leaving the monastery a secret until the end. Barry drops in occasional Mongolian words without defining them, which immerses the reader into the setting, but can take some getting used to. The pacing of the quest, meanwhile, is inconsistent, with bits of action here and there (including a dramatic sandstorm) among the digressions on Buddhist philosophy, but Barry brings a great deal of empathy and nuance to the brothers’ attempts to reckon with their spirituality. It’s a mixed bag, but much of this will resonate. Agent: Jennifer Lyons, Jennifer Lyons Literary.
June 1, 2022
In Mongolia, Buddhist monk Chuluun is sent to look for a reincarnation of a great lama, a spiritual teacher who may have been born anywhere in the country's landscape. Chuluun and his identical twin Mun travel together on this quest, and they are able to think and see with one mind. But the two are a bit estranged; Mun has renounced his vows and departed from the monastic life, which makes Chuluun question his commitment. Their trip takes them all over Mongolia. Barry is a poet, and her way with words resonates throughout this novel, written entirely in present tense as a nod to the Buddhist teaching to live in the present moment. Narrator David Lee Huynh performs a convincing Chuluun, focusing on a calm and reassuring tone that conveys the monk's acceptance of his situation, even during moments of distress and confusion. VERDICT This complete departure from Barry's (We Ride Upon Sticks) earlier work gives listeners reasons to become fans.--Christa Van Herreweghe
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