Books I Read: Mongolia
This year I’m reading books set in a destination before traveling there - and let’s be honest, sometimes even while I’m on the trip. You can read my first blog in this series here: Books I read: Sri Lanka. Sometimes they provide historical context, sometimes they help me understand the culture, and they get me so excited about a place that I start feeling a connection to the country before I arrive.
Before visiting Mongolia, I listened to four very different books: The Green-Eyed Lama, Murder in Mongolia, The Tiger Queens, and In Search of Shambhala. Together they gave me a mix of history, fiction, and travel writing, though some were definitely more memorable than others.
The Green-Eyed Lama by Oyungerel Tsedevdamba
If you're only going to read one book before visiting Mongolia, this is the one I would recommend. The Green-Eyed Lama is the first Mongolian novel to be published in the West and has been a bestseller for 10+ years.
Set against the backdrop of Mongolia's twentieth-century political upheaval, The Green-Eyed Lama follows the story of a Buddhist monk and the generation of a family affected by the destruction of monasteries during the communist purges. Before reading this book, I knew nothing about the systematic demolition of Buddhist temples in Mongolia or the persecution of monks during this period. The novel brought that history to life in a way that was easy to understand.
The novel references places across the country, and I found myself paying closer attention to locations and historical sites that I might otherwise have overlooked when planning my trip. One location that particularly stood out was the Choijin Lama Temple in Ulaanbaatar. The temple and its history are referenced in the novel, and after reading about the destruction of monasteries and the persecution of Buddhist monks during the communist purges, visiting the temple grounds felt especially meaningful. Standing there created a tangible connection between Mongolia's past and present and those are the moments that I’m looking for when traveling.
More than any other book I read before visiting, The Green-Eyed Lama made me excited to experience Mongolia firsthand. It gave me a much deeper appreciation for the country's recent history and its Buddhist heritage, and it remains my favorite Mongolia-related book by a wide margin.
Recommended for: Travelers interested in Mongolian history, culture, Buddhism, and historical fiction.
Purchased: I borrowed this book with my Kindle Unlimited membership and then paid to add on the audiobook.
Murder in Mongolia by Fritz Galt
This contemporary mystery novel was an enjoyable and easy listen. The story follows a murder investigation that eventually takes the main character to Mongolia, blending crime fiction with international travel and politics in a modern day setting. (Think how does the production of technology affect the environment.) While Mongolia isn't the sole focus of the novel, it plays an important role in the story and offers a glimpse of the country through the lens of a modern thriller.
I listened to the audiobook version, which uses Virtual Voice Narration. I find that computer-generated narration can struggle with foreign names and pronunciations and there were moments when I wasn't entirely sure if words were being pronounced correctly (or I knew they weren’t), which occasionally pulled me out of the story.
That said, I still enjoyed the book overall. It was entertaining, fast-paced, and engaging enough that I would happily read other books in the series.
Recommended for: Mystery lovers looking for a contemporary novel that includes a Mongolian setting.
Purchased: I borrowed this one with my Kindle Unlimited membership and then paid to add on the audiobook.
The Tiger Queens: The Women of Genghis Khan by Stephanie Thornton
Most books about the Mongol Empire focus on Genghis Khan himself, but The Tiger Queens takes a different approach by telling the stories of the women who helped build and sustain one of history's largest empires.
The novel follows four remarkable women connected to Genghis Khan - his wife, a daughter, a captive, and a daughter-in-law. This book highlightis the influence and leadership they exercised in a world that is often portrayed as being dominated entirely by men. It offers a fascinating look at the Mongol Empire beyond the battlefield. It added depth and nuance to a period that is often reduced to stories of conquest and warfare, and gave insight to another side of Genghis Khan that we didn’t learn in history books.
While historical fiction always takes some liberties, The Tiger Queens left me with a greater appreciation for the people behind the empire and provided valuable context before visiting Mongolia. I wanted more and more of this book, it was incredibly engrossing to me.
Recommended for: Readers interested in the Mongol Empire, historical fiction, and strong women throughout history.
Purchased: I purchased this as an Audible book with one of my monthly credits.
In Search of Shambhala: The 1925-1928 Roerich Expedition in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia by Don Croner
Of all the books I read before visiting Mongolia, this was the one I struggled with the most.
The book follows the Nicholas Roerich’s search for the legendary kingdom of Shambhala across Mongolia and other parts of Asia. On paper, it sounded like exactly the kind of travel narrative I would enjoy - like a real-life Indiana Jones story. This audiobook version also uses Virtual Voice Narration and in this case, the computer-generated narration felt particularly sterile and made it harder for me to stay engaged. By the end, I honestly don't feel like I retained much of what I had listened to.
Afterward, I learned that the book includes maps and color photographs in the print edition and I think those visual elements would make a significant difference and help readers better follow the author's journey. This is one of those rare cases where I think reading the physical book - or at least an ebook with images - would probably provide a much better experience than listening to the audiobook.
Recommended for: Readers interested in spiritual journeys and exploration narratives, though I would suggest reading rather than listening to this one.
Purchased: Paid cash for the Audible version
Mongolia is one of those destinations where understanding the history dramatically changes the travel experience. From the legacy of Genghis Khan to the destruction of Buddhist monasteries during the communist era, the country's past is visible everywhere. Reading a few books before visiting helped me appreciate the places I saw and understand the stories behind them.
I found so many of the historical Mongolian novels to be so incredibly interesting and captivating that I think I’ll continue to look for more when I’m in need of a new book. Have you read any books set in Mongolia that you’d recommend? If so, drop them in comments so I can add them to my list!
If you love to travel, I encourage you to join me on this book reading tradition this year!
