Blog Tour~Undress Me In The Temple Of Heaven by Susan Jane Gilman

In 1986, Gilman and a classmate embarked on a bold trek around the globe starting in the People’s Republic of China. At that point, China had been open to independent backpackers for roughly ten minutes.

Armed only with the collected works of Nietzsche and an astrology book, the two plunged into the dusty streets of Shanghai. Unsurprisingly, they quickly found themselves in over their heads—hungry, disoriented, stripped of everything familiar, and under constant government surveillance. Soon, they began to unravel—one physically, the other psychologically. As their journey became increasingly sinister, they found themselves facing crises Gilman didn’t think they’d survive. But by summoning strengths she never knew she had—and with help from unexpected friends—she and her friend found their way out of a Chinese heart of darkness. What began as a lighthearted adventure became a real-life international thriller that transformed them forever.

about the author~ (from the authors website)

Funny, but... I never set out to write books that made people laugh. My main love has always been literary fiction, and the first book I completed (which has yet to be published) was a collection of serious short stories. However, even with my darkest work, people would always tell me that parts of it were funny. This annoyed me because I aspired to be an American Dostoevsky with Breasts. But in 1999, I took a writers' workshop at the Bethesda Writers' Center. The first story I submitted was a heartbreaking tale of a man's addiction, which impressed the class. The second was an absurd story about mistaken identity full of Jews, Rastafarians, and dental hygienists. To my great irritation, the class liked this one infinitely more.After class, a man pulled me aside. "I have to tell you," he said. "My wife has been battling breast cancer. I read her your story last night, and it was the first time in two years she really laughed. You've got a gift. Please don't ignore it. Not everyone can make a sick woman laugh in her hospital bed." That's when I finally saw the merit in my own, lurking smart-ass and stopped fighting it.

my thoughts~

2 Crazy Girls!! It takes 2 Crazy girls to backpack through China at the tender age of 21! I found this to be a funny, inspiring and emotional read. Inspiring as in, expand your comfort zone, get out there and try new things. NOT go to China! My suggestion-read it. You won't be disappointed!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. Receiving a copy in no way reflected my review of this book.