ReView: We Measure the Earth with Our Bodies by Tsering Yangzom Lama

"Even if it is a broken story, I must have you know it. Just tell me that you can hear me."

The Giller Prize-nominated We Measure the Earth with Our Bodies by Tsering Yangzom Lama is a beautifully written, multi-generational saga. 

*I'll do my best to explain the plot but given the scope, it won't fully capture it.*


Driven out of Tibet by the Chinese in the 1950s, Lhamo and her family are forced to journey through the Himalayas to find refuge. They are faced with hunger, disease, and even death but always maintain their connection to the land through tradition and their deities. One such deity shows up in their new village in the form of a figurine, accompanying the charming Samphel. Both the figurine and Samphel will remain tethered to Lhamo and her family. 

In 2012, we meet Lhamo's daughter Dolma who is living in Toronto with her aunt, and studying her family's people. When Dolma stumbles upon the figurine, she begins to think more about her connection to her family, her identity, and how/why this figurine made its way to her. 

We follow the family on their journey spanning decades. This journey is an important exploration of colonialism, trauma, identity, and our connection with others and the world around us. It's a story about how we each carry our past with us. 

I can see why this is on the shortlist for the Giller Prize. It is thoughtfully written and particular passages are nothing short of breathtaking. I was hooked during the first section of the book but felt that the urgency in the first section wasn't always maintained, leading to a bit of a slower ending. 

Truth be told, I did not know enough about the experience of Tibetans and their history but I'm thankful for this story for sparking my interest and empowering me to learn more about such a crucial piece of our world's history.