Tracking The Dalai Lama

Steve Tolbert

Hyland House: Young Adult Fiction 2001

138p pbk $16.95

ISBN: 1-86447-034-8

Steve Tolbert's, Tracking the Dalai Lama, takes the reader on a journey through the eastern world of Tibet and envelops her in its history, culture and Buddhist teachings. One of five novels Tolbert has written through Hyland House publishing, Tracking the Dalai Lama is directed at the young to mid-teen age group, as they would identify with the main character Jess, a 16 year old girl from rural Tasmania.  Jess is flung into despair after the tragic happenings at her best friend Alice's house and becomes a recluse.  Her father, Tim, after being asked by National Geographic to interview the Dalai Lama in northern India, takes her along to accompany him on his travels.  However, Tim and Jess get more than they bargain for and end up on an enlightening journey through Tibet, exposed to the culture, history and lifestyle of the Tibetan people.  It is through this journey that Jess is able to overcome her despair by embracing Buddhism and the ideas behind the religion.

The Australian characters are somewhat stereotypical and not as 'Australian' as they could be, a problem incurred by a writer who spent his childhood in America.  Added to that, I found the way Tolbert exposed the story of what happened to Alice frustrating and it made the start of the book a bit confusing and hard to read.  These were the only problems though and Tracking the Dalai Lama ended up being an entertaining and interesting read. 8/10

Jeremy, aged 19, Canberra, ACT