Saving Fish from Drowning A novel by the author of The Backyard Bird Chronicles

San Francisco art patron Bibi Chen plans a grand art expedition along the famed Burma Road for a group of eleven lucky American friends. After her mysterious death right before the trip, Bibi watches aghast from her ghostly, omniscient perch as the travelers proceed with the journey from the Himalayan foothills of China into the jungles of Myanmar (Burma). The carefully laid plans fall apart as the group veers off course, getting bogged down by cultural gaffes, tribal curses, and their own romantic desires. On Christmas morning, the travelers disappear after boating across a misty lake. They find themselves deep in the jungle where they are kidnapped by a Karen tribe who mistakenly believe one of the American teenagers is a prophesied savior who will deliver them from the ravages of the military regime. Narrated by Bibi's witty and observing spirit, the novel is a picaresque adventure and gripping morality tale that uses Buddhist illusions and dark comedy to explore the consequences of intentions—both good and bad—and the shared responsibility for the actions of others.

Store Availability