Two men, three realms, one goal: to find the heart of the world.
Painted Oxen is a novel of transcendence, one that not only invites
its readers into its story, but somehow enmeshes them in its alchemy,
leaving them changed in unexpected ways at its journeys end. Bridging
the worlds of ancient Tibet and modern-day India, Painted Oxen weaves
a tale of two men--one young, one old--on parallel journeys. Their
separate-but-connected pilgrimages are equal parts internal and
external.The old man, a Tibetan monk, is searching for a sacred hidden
valley known to bring enlightenment to those who enter it. The young man
is backpacking through India, searching for a guru or the love of his
life; he doesn't care which. A mysterious red-haired woman who resembles
an ancient goddess appears in a series of dream chapters that tie the
two journeys together.The underlying theme of the novel is the
transformation of the human heart, which is required to arrive at any
true change in our lives. With its authentic voices, unforgettable
characters, and well-crafted story, Painted Oxen successfully bridges
the worlds of literary and spiritual fiction, adding something new and
authentic to the literary landscape.
