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A serene teahouse in the mountains of Tibet sets the stage for the chance meeting of author How Kuff's travelers, all seeking refuge from an unexpected snowstorm. Inside the comforting shelter of the teahouse, the travelers begin to share their stories, the circumstances that led them to Tibet and the events that drove them to question fundamental aspects of their lives. Kuff brings the culture and history of Tibet to life with rich details and a deep understanding of the Tibetan people, gained on a recent trip to Tibet, which inspired the novel. "Changing History" examines the biggest issues of the 21st Century through the travelers' compelling first- person narratives. Their diverse backgrounds vary greatly across age, gender, culture and race, bringing a wide variety of viewpoints to their reflective conversation.
Changing History
How Kuff
iUniverse (2007)
ISBN 9780595464449
Reviewed by William Phenn for Reader Views (2/08)
Mr. Kuff is a diversified man that holds degrees in Philosophy and Mathematics. He lives in the forests of the Ozark Mountains and leads an eclectic lifestyle. How Kuff began working on “Changing History” after returning from a mountain bike trip through Tibet.
“Changing History” begins with seven global travelers -- Ellie, Rayfield, Cibi, Raz, Lana, Karyn, Lorraine -- who seek shelter in a Tibetan teahouse. In addition to this diverse group, there is a Buddhist monk, Lobsang, and a Buddhist nun, Ngawang, who are on the road visiting different monasteries. While sitting around the teahouse at night, the travelers exchange stories of their loves and lives. They talked about circumstances that drove them to question certain basic aspects of their lives, what caused them to come to the teahouse, as each one voiced his or her personal experience. They told their stories of religious persecution, politics and discrimination against their nationality, describing the terrible atrocities against the people of Tibet and the violation of the land by the Chinese.
From the many intertwining stories, the travelers become aware that they have a philosophical bond with one another. They found that they are all intimately connected to all people and places. An action by one could have an affect on another in another time and place. There is a direct connection to the future in their actions of the present. So diverse are the travelers and their backgrounds, yet “Changing History” shows how each one plays a role in the great scheme of things.
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