Not Raining Today!
Wendy Catran

Lothian Books: 
YA Fiction 2001 

128p pbk $14.95

ISBN: 0-7344-0260-0

Not Raining Today is the tragic story of Lhamo, a young Tibetan who flees the Chinese oppressors of her country. The teenage nun witnesses the wrongful arrest of her close friends and plans with her brave ‘sister’ to flaunt the unlawful authorities and display a poster of hope.  The plan fails and Lhamo and Dolma must flee.   On the frightening journey from her homeland, Lhamo loses all of her friends and finds herself alone on her quest for freedom.

A preface to the book gives the reader an idea of the awful situation for Tibetans - their peaceful past and their present oppression.  The reality makes the fictional story all the more devastating.  Wendy Catran has a simple writing style that makes the readers feel they have witnessed and felt the same as the characters in the story.  Italisized paragraphs give insights to Lhamo’s thoughts, dreams and memories.  A glossary gives meaning to the Tibetan words and adds flavour and authenticity.  The book is clearly presented for easy reading.  Not Raining Today  is best suited to solitary reading as the themes stimulate private thought and will be more enjoyable if the reader has time to pause and reflect.

The book was well worth reading - the language and subject were excellent.  Although it clearly illustrated the horrible truth of life in Tibet, it was a compelling story, if not satisfying.  The lack of happiness and light in the book leaves the reader disquieted, but this is surely the aim of Catran’s book.  Readers from age 13  would enjoy and appreciate the sensitive theme of the book.