LAND OF THE DAWN-LIT MOUNTAINS

Loved the book - It showed me how little I knew about my own country. Thanks Antonia for this treat.Right from how she happens to go on this road trip, all by herself on her bike (yes, on a bike!), in Arunachal Pradesh, to getting the necessary permissions, and then starting off after seeking blessings from the deity of Kamakhya temple, Guwahati, to meeting various tribes, participating in local festivals and events, to the comical way she describes the different accommodations she lands in - her narrative is gripping. I felt I was riding pillion with her all through this adventurous journey. She gave me glimpses from the homes and clutures of the local communities of the region, which would not have been possible if I had gone as a tourist to see just the natural beauty of Arunachal Pradesh. I would have missed knowing the inner beauty of these beautiful people, their warm hearts and their joyful nature. Antonia has done a lot of research - she relates from pages of history of campaigns by the British - to establish ownership in the border areas and visits those very places and brings out what it is like now. In a subtle way she brings out the stark contrast in the views of the explorers then - 'of these tribals' being uncouth - to what wonderful humans they were. Yes, there were times my stomach turned - at the rituals where animals were sacrificed - but knowing that the person who is narrating it too felt the same and was sensitive - made it palatable. Surprisingly Antonia is a vegetarian (me too!)The minute I read the last page, I flipped the book back to the first chapter and read bits. I plan to re-read it soon - as I know I have not got all that there is to be got from this travelogue. A book I highly recommend for readers who are looking for something meaningful. Remember, not the kind of book you want to (and can) finish in one sitting.

The book records the diverse cultures and nuances of the many tribes of Arunachal lucidly. After 23 years I am yet able to see and feel like the terain, the fickle weather of this wonderful land.I and some of colleagues in the course of government duty often moved away from the oft troden path to explore the lives and terr.ain of this Shangri LaI would rate this book 8 /10

I read the book based on a recommendation from a friend and I'm grateful to the person for introducing me to Antonia's writing and storytelling. Her narrative technique allows you to dive head-first into the otherwise little-known State of India; it almost felt like I was there, sitting behind her on her bike, as she travelled slushy roads, past kilometres of green, swatting at dam dum flies. The descriptions are wonderfully written, capturing the essence of the experience for the reader quite precisely.But what really nailed it for me was the writer's self-awareness. She doesn't exoticise or judge any experience but digests them as part of unfamiliar territory, as a traveller should. She recognises her presence as a narrator clearly, without getting indulgent of herself.At some point I started making a list of words I wasn't familiar with and by the end of the book, the list was quite long! But it's not off-putting, as it can be when people throw around obscure words when not needed; instead, it was a learning experience.The book has fuelled my desire to travel further; I'd recommend the book to everyone.

This book isn’t just a travelogue, it takes you back to history, explains the geography, climatic conditions, about the tribes etc. it’s the best travelogue I have read till date. Most of the Indians are unaware of the role of the north eastern states (mainly Arunachal) during the world war and 1962 war,this book has quite a content of the same. You just don’t read it, you literally travel to each place with the author. Very informative and interesting book at the same time. Highly recommended.

Like

The author has written a most enjoyable account of her travels in arunachal Pradesh. The language however can be a bit tricky to understand at timeswith some words unfamiliar to the Indian reader, as she writes from her British perspective

As a good screener to take every incident up to extreme whether it be Dorji's village where no killing even to a mosquito os allowed or at Etalin where ghasty slaughters of Mithuns and Pigs are cheerly held during Rev festival. Entering danger zones at Tuting and searching out C_41wreckage whhere none dared to reah by then earn special mentions .This is the real exotic wild northeast India.

Good

Loved this book, the first one I have read by the author. Very insightful and well researched thus adding knowledge as a backdrop to the travel tale. I love her determination to get the job done despite numerous obstacles and lack of self pity when things do go wrong, as someone who has been travelling the subcontinent for many years I admire her admission of powerlessness of India's ways and the go with the flow ethos that one has to adopt. Antonia engages with the locals at their level, without resorting to condescension or being unable to see the world through other's eyes. Am already looking forward to reading more from her.

Great story told in a wonderful and unique way!

Great read - really enjoyed the story and writing.

An unusual traveller in wild places. Thoroughly absorbing.

I really enjoyed this book.Antonia is a great writer.Very entertaining and an easy read.