Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven

By: Susan Jane Gilman

Narrated by: Susan Jane Gilman

Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Bestselling author Susan Jane Gilman's memoir is a hilarious and harrowing journey—a modern heart of darkness filled with Communist operatives, backpackers, and pancakes.

They were young, brilliant, and bold. They set out to conquer the world. But the world had other plans for them.

Bestselling author Susan Jane Gilman's new memoir is a hilarious and harrowing journey, a modern heart of darkness filled with Communist operatives, backpackers, and pancakes.

In 1986, fresh out of college, Gilman and her friend Claire yearned to do something daring and original that did not involve getting a job. Inspired by a place mat at the International House of Pancakes, they decided to embark on an ambitious trip around the globe, starting in the People's Republic of China. At that point, China had been open to independent travelers for roughly ten minutes.

Armed only with the collected works of Nietzsche, an astrological love guide, and an arsenal of bravado, the two friends plunged into the dusty streets of Shanghai. Unsurprisingly, they quickly found themselves in over their heads. As they ventured off the map deep into Chinese territory, they were stripped of everything familiar and forced to confront their limitations amid culture shock and government surveillance. What began as a journey full of humor, eroticism, and enlightenment grew increasingly sinister-becoming a real-life international thriller that transformed them forever.

Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven is a flat-out thriller, an astonishing true story of hubris and redemption told with Gilman's trademark compassion, lyricism, and wit.

©2009 Susan Jane Gilman (P)2009 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Gilman proves an able and entertaining storyteller. Though there is more about China in the unabridged print version, the abridgement does keep her account flowing quickly. There is also an informative Q&A with the author at the end."—The Boston Globe

Great Story

narration was full of emotion and the story is not just another backpacker's memoir. very intriguing with beautifully descriptive scenes

Narration ruined this story.

For some reason the author chose to narrate this book herself. Big mistake! I was very interested in the story having travelled in communist countries before they were "opened" to the west. However, the narrator's voice and completely inept stab at various accents meant that I had to push through the narration to get to the story. If you are interested in this book buy a paper copy and skip the Audible version.

excellent

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Would have loved to hear the unabridged version though. I thought the author's reading was excellent. She even managed some of the accents.
I would recommend this book to anyone.

No story

This book was mostly boring. The writer and her friend in the story are racist and rude. There was no real story to tell except two white racist Americans can’t handle hardship in the slightest!

A Fabulous Journey & A Wonderful Listen

This is a book I would recommend to anyone. The author's true story of her travels as a young woman are something that we can all relate to; her naivete and enthusiasm. The book is very funny at times, but bad things did happen to Susan and her companion. The book is very well read by the author, I was only sorry that the story was abridged, I hated to miss a single word of this fascinating journal. Do yourself a favor and download it now!

Hooked!

If you could sum up Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven in three words, what would they be?

I'm a fan of nonfiction, travel, and suspense - this narrative has it all! Couldn't

really good.

It kept me on the edge of my seat.
Try it.

A book steeped in blessed reality!

Having spent last summer in China - the memories flooded in like a storm. I love the authentic narrative and gorgeous characters

What I was looking for.

I was looking for a book with adventure and suspense. I wanted to listen to a book that would be a "page turner". I got this and more.

Hard To Put Down

I loved this story. Few authors are also good readers. Susan does both very well. Hilarious and heart wrenching with beautiful imagery. I recommend this book.