Tulku (novel) facts for kids
First edition (UK)
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| Author | Peter Dickinson |
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| Cover artist | Tudor Humphries |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's historical novel, adventure novel |
| Publisher | Victor Gollancz Ltd (UK) E. P. Dutton (US) |
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Publication date
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22 February 1979 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover, paperback) |
| Pages | 286 pp (first edition) |
| ISBN | 0-575-02503-4 |
| OCLC | 731246577 |
| LC Class | PZ7.D562 Tu 1979 |
Tulku is an exciting historical adventure novel for young people, written by Peter Dickinson. It was published in 1979. The story takes place in China and Tibet during a time of big changes and conflict called the Boxer Rebellion. The book follows a young teenage boy who loses his family because of the violence. He then escapes with others to a quiet Buddhist temple. Tulku was a very popular book and won two important awards in Britain: the Whitbread Children's Book Award and the Carnegie Medal. The Carnegie Medal is given to the best children's book by a British writer each year.
A Young Boy's Escape and Adventure
The story begins with thirteen-year-old Theodore. He lives in a faraway part of China at his father's Christian mission, which is like a church or school. When the violent Boxer Rebellion reaches them, Theodore is the only one who manages to escape the destruction.
He soon meets a very strong and unusual Englishwoman named Mrs. Jones. She is described as "painted, blasphemous, gun-toting." Mrs. Jones loves to study plants as a hobby and used to be an actress. She travels with her own group of people.
Journey to Tibet
Theodore and Mrs. Jones's group must flee from bandits. They travel into Tibet and find safety at a Buddhist temple, also called a monastery. For a short time, people believe Theodore might be the Tulku. A Tulku is a special spiritual leader believed to be reborn.
However, it is soon discovered that the recently born child of Mrs. Jones and her Chinese friend is the true Tulku. Theodore experiences the interesting, but sometimes strange, Buddhist practices at the monastery. He grows stronger in his own Christian faith during this time.
Mrs. Jones is asked to stay at the monastery to continue her work. Theodore eventually returns to England. He brings with him the special plants Mrs. Jones collected during her adventures.
Exploring Beliefs and Ideas
Tulku explores several important ideas. It looks at how religion and government can sometimes mix together. The book also makes you think about what you truly believe in. It shows how strong personal beliefs can be, even when people are doubtful or "cynical."
These ideas are similar to those in another of Dickinson's books, The Blue Hawk (1977). That book also won a major award, the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize.
