Jonathan Falla

A literate, but not too literary, memoir of war in a Swordfish from the viewpoint of a 'looker' (observer). Worth reading if only for that reason - too often we just get the pilot's eye view. The original text by Robert le Page is excellent. Some of the asides by Falla miss the mark, which could have been avoided with a little additional research.
The most irritating part of the book is the publishers failure to provide the photographs they originally advertised, mention on the dust jacket show more and reference in the text! This is a pity as the handful of photos reproduced on the back of the dj suggest that the author's photo album is better than average. show less

In 1950 young Jamie Wilson, a Scottish wireless operator, is hired to establish a radio outpost in the village of Jyeko, Tibet. It is a remote outpost and Jamie has few friends, a few monks from the local lamasery. A young, disabled widow, Puton, and her daughter are brought in to keep house for him. Puton came to Jyeko from Lhasa with her tax collector husband and is considered “bad luck” to the villagers because of her eyebrows (which meet in the middle) and her “big city” ways. show more Across the river is a small outpost of the Nationalist Chinese Army. Soon the familiar routines are tossed about with the arrival of the Communists who overthrow the Nationalists. And an act of violence by an unknown perpetrator puts the whole village into jeopardy.

I found the book to be interesting and informative. It presented a slightly different picture of Tibet than others I have read, particularly as it took place in eastern Tibet away from the influence of Lhasa. But I never felt much warmth towards any of the characters. I read it and will release it from my library. show less

"Set in Tibet at the time of the Chinese invasion, Jonathan Falla's debut novel is the story of a Scottish wireless operator, Jamie Wilson, caught up in the troubles of another culture, embroiled in a foreign war while entranced by the land and its people. Blue Poppies is a portrayal of the will to survive played out across one of the most astonishing landscapes on earth." - jacket notes.
An epic love story, a memorable setting and people.