Samsara - Softcover

Abramczyk, David

Softcover

ISBN 10: 9937577322 ISBN 13: 9789937577328

Publisher: Himalayan Maphouse, 2012

Synopsis

Jupiter, an American drifter down on his luck, finds himself wrapped around the finger of a retired French heroin smuggler. Circumstance quickly leads him across the globe searching for clues to the smuggler’s secret. He lands headfirst in Nepal, a country still reeling from civil war, and is befriended by Maya, a British diplomat’s daughter with connections and attitude. Before Jupiter can get his bearings, Jack, the last remnant of the heroin ring, surfaces unexpectedly. On a dimly lit back street of Kathmandu their lives are endangered. Suddenly the trio is on the run, making their way for the remote border of western Nepal. As they climb higher into the Himalayas, they battle for survival and encounter danger at every turn. Gradually the true meaning of Samsara begins to unfold, becoming more apparent as they toil towards possible safety.Samsara details the tragic historical events surrounding the resistance movement of the Tibetan Freedom Fighters, a band of brave soldiers who fought against Chinese occupation of Tibet for over fifteen years. Trained in secrecy at US army bases through a covert CIA operation, they eventually established a base in Mustang, an isolated kingdom in the far reaches of Nepal. An abrupt shift in political climate suddenly left the Tibetan guerillas abandoned. When juxtaposed against current US policy, it echoes an all too familiar precedent. This novel is a commemoration of their remarkable yet heartbreaking tale.

About this title

About the Author

David Abramczyk was born in Chicago, growing up in Saint Charles, Illinois. He began his education at Colorado State University studying Wildlife & Fisheries Biology. After answering an advertisement in a newspaper, David arrived in Nepal to study Nepali language, culture and history, a decision that prompted him to dramatically change his direction in life as he become fascinated with all aspects of the Orient. Lured by quick money and adventure, he traveled to Alaska in the summer of 1990 to work on a salmon fishing boat. Over the next six years he became increasingly involved in commercial fishing. In 1992 David transferred to University of Colorado at Boulder as a Chinese Language and Literature major. This offered the opportunity to study with an affiliated study abroad program at the University of Nanjing in Nanjing, China. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chinese Language and Literature from Boulder in the spring of 1995. His knowledge of the region and his fluency in Nepali allowed David to work as a guide specializing in mountaineering, white-water rafting and kayaking. When not guiding David went exploring and mapping out relatively untouched trekking routes in the far reaches of Nepal, often alone. David is a passionate sailor who has completed several trans-Atlantic and Pacific crossings. He has professionally captained numerous boats in several regions of the world. David currently resides in Europe, focusing on writing and mountaineering, and is in training for a summit attempt of another 8000-meter peak.

From Kirkus Reviews

"Samsara is the strikingly well-written debut of David Abramczyk, who packs his long experience of Nepal and its mountains into a wryly told tale of high misadventures. Think of it as Fear and Loathing in the Himalayas with Hitchcock in the plot writer's chair. Or think of the edgy, pop-culture humor of Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash, except that instead of cyberpunk and sci-fi, it's Himal-punk and a Nepal so bizarre it looks just like home. It's got the CIA, un-Free Tibetans, Betty Boop and even veggie burrito sellers at Grateful Dead shows in one offbeat story. Samsara may refer to the wheel of suffering, but you'll definitely enjoy the ride."
- Sally Acharya, ECS Nepal Magazine

About this edition

• Publisher: Himalayan Maphouse
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 9937577322
• ISBN 13: 9789937577328
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 335