The Mountains Are High

In 2020 Alec Ash left the city life behind as a journalist in the bustling town of Beijing to Dali, a rural valley in China’s Yunan Province. There are mountains and a beautiful lake. Alec had come to Dali to find space and perspective after a heartbreak from a broken engagement & escaping the city life. While in Dali, Alec meets a cast of wonderful characters from political dissidents, those seeking some sort of religious freedom to those living the hippie life. Those in Dali tell Alec, its easy to change your environment but much less easy to change your own mind.

Writing & Important Lessons

Alec has a gift for words. While I was reading this, it flows so beautifully as though it were fiction. I also like how Alec didn’t gloss over that China is a communist country and acknowledged he had to change names of some of the people he met for political and legal reasons. I love the fact that the important lesson is remembering (or perhaps for some learning) that you can change a location, but it’s important not to be running from your problems. Change of scenery is great, but if you don’t work on your mindset, the problems will all remain the same. I also liked how Alec had to learn to love himself instead of depending on others to. If we don’t love ourselves, how do we expect others to love us in return & to love others correctly?

 Overall

Overall I’m grateful that I was able to read Alec Ash’s memoir & I can’t wait to read more from him in the future. Thank you Jake Adelstein for introducing us via email and thank you Alec for the pdf copy of your book! I look forward to read more books from you in the future and doing our Q&A!