The Books

The Mountains of Tibet

by Mordecai Gerstein

One Potato Review

A story about reincarnation, yes, like It’s a Wonderful Life is a story about an angel getting his wings. Recalling George Bailey, this Tibetan farmer dreams of traveling the world, but must instead content himself with barely getting by in all of the ordinary ways. Courtesy of a baritone voice in the heavens, he gets to pick his next life, and finds himself drawn gradually back to all of his old identities but one. The text is plainspoken, and Gerstein’s illustrations so whimsical and panoramic, that through all of the supernatural intrusion, the end arrives strangely uplifting, no matter how many times you think you’ve seen it.