About Last Seen in Lhasa, the award-winning book by Claire Scobie, writer & journalist

Last Seen in Lhasa Last Seen in Lhasa Korean edition Last Seen in Lhasa German edition

Last Seen in Lhasa
The true story of an extraordinary friendship in modern Tibet

Some go to Tibet seeking inspiration, others for adventure. The award-winning journalist, Claire Scobie, found both when she went to the Himalayas in search of a rare red lily. Her journey took her to Pemako, where few Westerners have set foot and where the myth of Shangri-la was born. It was here she became friends with Ani, an unusual Tibetan nun who was to change her life.

First published by Rider (Random House), Last Seen in Lhasa has been translated into German, Dutch and Korean. In 2007, it won the Dolman Best First Travel Book Award in Britain. Mary Ann Evans, then chair of the British Guild of Travel Writers and one of the judges, described it as ‘a true award-winning travel book’.

• Click here to read an extract from Last Seen in Lhasa.
• Click here to read what the critics say about Last Seen in Lhasa.

• Click here to read what other writers say.
• Click here to read what readers say.

• Click here to read articles and interviews with Claire about Last Seen in Lhasa.

What other writers say

‘An intimate and moving account of a way of life that is fast disappearing’
- Monica Ali, author of Brick Lane

‘Utterly compelling’
- Stephanie Dowrick, author of Choosing Happiness

‘Truly wonderful...and inspiring'
- Mick Brown, author of The Spiritual Tourist

‘Claire Scobie's refreshing book shows how people can see their lives differently’
- Xinran, author of Sky Burial

‘Last Seen in Lhasa is enthralling [and] beautifully written’
- Helen Garner, author of The Spare Room

‘Honest, deeply felt. Ani is glorious’
- David Davidar, author of The Solitude of Emperors

What the readers say

‘I finished Last Seen in Lhasa this morning and absolutely loved it. I can’t get the image of Ani out of my mind. I think it’s your determination to recognise and pursue a connection with someone an ocean and many worlds away, that teaches us so much about what real friendship means. Because of your book there will be many of us who will reassess what matters in our lives and many of us who will, like you, think often of Ani.’
– Susie Warwick

‘Your friendship with Ani is so beautiful. I hope that all of us are blessed with such an amazing friendship in our lives. I was so sorry for the book to end!’
– Heather Josowitz Allen

‘I recently finished reading Last Seen in Lhasa and must say that I loved it, absolutely fascinating, inspiring... made me want to hop on a flight to the Himalayas!’
– Owen Bleech

‘I just finished reading your book and it was spectacular. I could hardly put it down…. After turning the last page of your book, I was inspired to meditate. Thank you for that - and for being willing to share such a personal journey. I'm sure your book will have a lasting effect on every single person who reads it.’
– Barbara Ann Weibel

‘It was fascinating to read a first-hand account of what the conditions are like in Tibet and how everything is changing (for the worst, it seems), particularly after hearing so much about it in the media. I loved the descriptions of the landscape. It sounds so beautiful and diverse. I found myself craving a view of the mountains. I also loved the balanced approach you took to Tibetan culture and Buddhism. It isn't all perfect, particularly with gender issues, but this is something that is rarely discussed.

Most of all I really enjoyed the relationship between yourself and Ani. At the end of the book I found myself wanting to meet her, to spend time with her and to meditate with her. The last few pages when you described her meditating were incredible…. This book is something truly unique and beautiful.’
– Philip Shelper

‘Your journey reduced me to tears in many places, but at the end, I felt quite joyful. Your connection with Ani left me with beautiful feelings of peace. In many ways it's inconceivable to me the pain of watching my country dissolve before my eyes, to see my freedom be removed, to experience strangers changing the face of my culture. But in relating your journey you made me see the pain of every Tibetan.’
– Karen Gribbin