Running a Hotel on the Roof of the World: Five Years in Tibet
by Alec Le Sueur
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The very aptly named Mr Pong had the kind of breath that could stun at over ten meters... This wasn't just bad - there was something rotten down there. Something had crawled in and died. Gunter howled with laughter as he saw the look of horror on my face. It was the best entertainment he had seen since he had watched Chef chasing yaks through the kitchens. Few foreigners are lucky enough to set foot on Tibetan soil, but Alec Le Sueur spent five extraordinary years there, working in the show more unlikeliest Holiday Inn in the world. Against the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayas unfolds a highly amusing and enlightening account of his experiences. Fly infestations at state banquets, unexpected deliveries of live snakes, a predominance of yaks and everything yak-related, the unbelievable Miss Tibet competition, insurmountable communication problems and a dead guest are just some of the entertainments to be found at the 'Fawlty Towers' of Lhasa. Le Sueur, the only Westerner since the days of Heinrich Harrer to spend so long in Tibet, examines the country's intriguing cultural background, providing a fascinating insight into a country that was only just opening up to the outside world. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
Opinionated and occasionally very funny memoir of author's five years as promotions manager at the Holiday Inn in Lhasa, Tibet, 1988-92. An unique overview is given of a tiny aspect of Tibetan life - the world of the tourist visitor and temporary "citizen" - with glimpses into real Tibetan culture through expatriate eyes. A slight memoir/travel book, but genuinely funny and informative. You will never take your hotel room for granted ever again, no matter where it's located.
I have enjoyed this book many times and this time through did not disappoint. It was particularly interesting having been to Tibet and I read the descriptions of Lhasa all the more carefully for it. It is well written and thoughtful and funny too. One of my favourites.
A lovely, funny book. Echo of Bill Bryson - but the early good stuff. It had tears of laughter running down my cheeks. Made especially poignant because I spent three weeks in Lhasa about a year before the author. Highly recommended - especially if you have ever been to Tibet!
27 Feb 2011 - BookCrossing (from Ali)
Narrative of a few years spent working at the (only) Holiday Inn in Tibet. Lots of local colour and, at times offputting, detail, and enough about the difficult political situation to give a feeling of what it was like, without preaching. It did suffer from the common Summerscale Books issue of being a bit loose in its structure and writing, and won't appeal to everyone, but is interesting.
Narrative of a few years spent working at the (only) Holiday Inn in Tibet. Lots of local colour and, at times offputting, detail, and enough about the difficult political situation to give a feeling of what it was like, without preaching. It did suffer from the common Summerscale Books issue of being a bit loose in its structure and writing, and won't appeal to everyone, but is interesting.
He has an interesting story to tell, but it's marred by unnecessary and contrived attempts at humor.
Hilarious account of running a 'western' hotel in Lhasa, Tibet - a mighty struggle.
I read this for a book group and am sorry I wasted my money.
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Sirene pockets (73)
Common Knowledge
- Original title
- Running a hotel on the roof of the world
- Important places
- Lhasa, Tibet
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- 216
- Popularity
- 150,627
- Reviews
- 9
- Rating
- (3.39)
- Languages
- 6 — Dutch, English, Estonian, German, Romanian, Spanish
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 23
- ASINs
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