The novel integrates Tibet's natural history, travel notes, and lyrical literature in describing the demise and dilemmas of Tibet's natural scenery and humanistic customs – a sorrowful elegy lamenting the passing of utopia.
In search of snow leopards, a traveler broke through countless obstacles to reach the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and was allowed to conduct a 72-day snow leopard survey at the Conservation Research Station. Time passes, and he opens his travel log by accident only to find that his heart is still in Tibet – the decision to take a leave of absence from school, returning to the Plateau thrice – what is he looking for now?
In the 1950s, Udagawa Huihai entered Tibet illegally through India to understand the subtleties of Buddhism at a time when the Tibetan army and the People's Liberation Army engaged in guerrilla warfare. He eventually settles down in Lhasa, living together with Rinpoche, resulting in TAMING THE SHEEP.
Utilizing two different time and space plot lines, Chen-Fu Hsu supplements his tale with the Tibetan drama "Princess Wencheng," folding together important historical scenes from the seventh century, twentieth century, and contemporary Tibet. All events traverse beyond the limitations of time. In detail, one observes the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, where most people think the Buddha's light shines – we recognize that it has never been calm. After cultural transplantation in the Han Dynasty, the Cultural Revolution swept through, afforestation and grazing ceased, Tibetans not only lived like mayflies but their original nature and life had already gone through several calamities and drifted with the times.
From the perspective of contemporary travelers, we observe the biological phenomena of Tibet. Mirroring the natural balance of grassland ecology and the Tibetan natural history, from shale to pikas, snow leopards, vultures, etc., Hsu also describes sheep epidemics from environmental history and geography. Ecological issues such as mining pollution, prairie rat disaster, and agricultural and animal husbandry conflicts reflect Tibet's emotional identity and economic development battles.
Exquisite philosophies, metaphors, integrating ecology, geography, drama, architecture, travel notes, against a beautiful context – the book depicts the human landscape, herder culture, and the nature of Tibetan in a meticulous manner. In addition to showing the author's depth and displaying his rich experience in learning and training, we also witness his loving care for the land. In an elegiac form, THE TAMING OF THE SHEEP allows readers to see how history repeats itself on this Plateau and the plight of its people.
