Caravan to Tibet by Deepa Agarwal, reviewed by Rhea Kumar

Caravan to Tibet by Deepa Agarwal

Reviewed by
Name: Rhea Kumar (12 years)
School: Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, New Delhi

Caravan to Tibet is a remarkable piece of historical fiction. It is based in Tibet in the late nineteenth century and vividly captures details of the picturesque Tibetan landscape, its people, their religion and lifestyle, their customs, rituals and beliefs. The protagonist, Debu, a young boy of fourteen, is devastated to learn that his father is lost in one of the treacherous passes in Tibet. Debu cannot accept the loss of his father and sets out in search of him, accompanied by his beloved horse Bijli. The book captures the varied adventures he faces on his journey ranging from a stay at a Tibetan monastery, an encounter with robbers and a bandit gifted with magical powers, a stay in the goldfields of Thok Jalong and finally an exhilarating horse race. The action is extremely fast-paced and gripping and keeps the reader on the edge of the seat. Debu’s courage and determination to find his father, despite all odds, is touching and inspiring. As his adventures take Debu from place to place, the reader is fascinated and mystified by the various characters he interacts with, each memorable and unique in their own way.