After a hair-raising journey, Dr. Mary Davis arrives in a remote Himalayan village with just a backpack and a box of medicines. Expecting to work with a talented Indian surgeon, she finds instead that he is missing and she is now the only doctor within a hundred miles. When an injured tourist stumbles into her overcrowded clinic, he triggers a series of events that connects an unusual mix of characters: Phillip, the spoiled son of a British diplomat; Antone, an aging addict who attempts to kidnap him; Meena, a local village girl who embarks on an improbable rescue; and Amod, the lonely waiter in the local dhaba, who secretly looks after Mary.
Steeped with surprising humor and harrowing detail, Himalayan Dhaba reveals a startling variety of human strengths.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
In Craig Joseph Danner's engaging and compassionate debut novel, Himalayan Dhaba, an American seeking direction in her life reluctantly accepts the position of town doctor to a remote Himalayan village. Reeling from the death of her husband, Mary Davis travels to the north Indian village where he once volunteered. She has agreed to assist his mentor, Dr. Vargeela, in his practice, but upon her arrival, Mary finds the doctor absent for an undetermined time and his outdated, overwhelmed hospital dependent upon her skills to remain open. Emotionally fragile and underqualified, Mary struggles with her sense of obligation to the town and her mounting self-doubt, exhaustion, and depression. She soon meets some of the town's colorful assemblage of tourists, locals, and expatriates: Amod, a lonely villager and waiter who falls in love with Mary; Ravi, a handsome Canadian visiting nearby family; Phillip, the spoiled son of an English ambassador, who enters the hospital with a broken back, the result of a mugging; and Antone, an aging drug dealer and heroin addict who kidnaps Phillip and plans to offer him for ransom. Throughout, Danner explores the ways these characters' lives are altered and united by seemingly random events and the commonalities of experience that transcend language and cultural differences.
Danner, who based the book on his own experience as a doctor in the Himalayas, has created an emotionally mature and highly detailed novel, offering personal insight into Dr. Mary's search for identity and community. The novel has a strong sense of vibrancy and authenticity, conveying a comprehensive view of the beauty and severity of life in the Himalayas, such as the "beggars with their pleading palms and exudative skin disease" and the mountains with "shoulders hunched like mourners gathered round a grave, all dressed in black." Harsh in its honesty but ultimately life-affirming, Himalayan Dhaba reflects the hard-earned wisdom gained from a difficult but worthwhile experience. --Ross Doll
Craig Danner is a native Oregonian and fourth generation bootmaker. He now makes his living as a Physician Assistant, practicing medicine in the shadow of Mount Hood. His next novel, THE FIRES OF EDGARVILLE, is due out in Fall 2003
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
US$ 4.25
Within U.S.A.
Seller: BookHolders, Towson, MD, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. [ No Hassle 30 Day Returns ][ Ships Daily ] [ Underlining/Highlighting: NONE ] [ Writing: NONE ] [ Edition: first ] Publisher: Crispin/Hammer Pub Date: 4/29/2001 Binding: hardcover Pages: 256 first edition. Seller Inventory # 6483992
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Very Good condition. Very Good dust jacket. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp. Seller Inventory # Y09H-00117
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Irish Booksellers, Portland, ME, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. SHIPS FROM USA. Used books have different signs of use and do not include supplemental materials such as CDs, Dvds, Access Codes, charts or any other extra material. All used books might have various degrees of writing, highliting and wear and tear and possibly be an ex-library with the usual stickers and stamps. Dust Jackets are not guaranteed and when still present, they will have various degrees of tear and damage. All images are Stock Photos, not of the actual item. book. Seller Inventory # 15-0970640595-G
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Black Dog Mystery Firsts, Ellensburg, WA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. 1st Edition. Hood River, OR: Crispin/Hammer, 2001. SIGNED by author on title pg. DEBUT novel Not clipped, mo marks 255 pp. Signed by Author. First Edition, First Printing. Hard Cover. Fine/Fine. First Edition, First Printing. Signed by Author(s). Seller Inventory # 005258
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: The Book Shelf, Salem, OR, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. First Edition. Seller Inventory # 002492
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Ann Open Book, Lansing, MI, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. Signed by Author(s). Seller Inventory # 189141
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Books From California, Simi Valley, CA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Acceptable. First Edition. First Edition, books spine is slanted. Seller Inventory # mon0003177658
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Colorado's Used Book Store, Englewood, CO, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Good. Danner,Craig Joseph Himalayan Dhaba: A Novel Autographed copy. Minor edge and corner wear to dust jacket. Minor creases to dust jacket. Dust jacket is in good condition. Minor edge and corner wear to book. Pages still clean and tight. Book is in good condition. All Orders Shipped With Tracking And Delivery Confirmation Numbers. Seller Inventory # 259062
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: The Book Shelf, Salem, OR, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. First Edition. 2002 PNBA Award Winner. Like new copy, clean and unmarked. Laid-in promotional card for the book from the PNBA. Seller Inventory # 009146
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Chaparral Books, Portland, OR, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. First Edition. Signed by author on title page. Minor shelf wear to binding & edges of text block. Text and images unmarked. Dj lightly shelf worn with scuffs & creases in a mylar cover. Signed by Author. Seller Inventory # PARSdanHIM
Quantity: 1 available