When I'm Gone, Look for Me in the East by Quan Barry

Pantheon, 320 pages, $27.99

This is not a mystery, but it plays with the mystery and mysticism of Buddhism, specially Tibetan Buddhism.

Two young twin boys were released by their family to join the local monastery. All they had known to that point was their family's herding existence on the pastures of Mongolia. At the monastery they learn to be monks. One of them, Mun, is exalted to the Redeemer Who Sounds the Conch in the Darkness. Unlike other Buddhist sects, Tibetan Buddhists believe in the reincarnation of the special enlightened ones. Members of the Buddhist monasteries are sent out on quests to find the reincarnated holy one after his last incarnation dies. Mun is an incarnation. Although he is very young when he is exalted to his role, he nevertheless has more spiritual power than the other monks and is revered.

Mun's brother Chuluun, the narrator of the book, serves by Mun's side, although he is mostly just a regular monk. After Mun grows up, he suddenly casts off his robes and leaves the monastery, renouncing his vows. Chuluun is very lonely without him; the twins share the ability to sense each other's thoughts. Chuluun leaves for the faraway big city of Ulaanbaatar.

The Buddhist wheel turns on and another venerated figure dies. It is the mission of Chuluun to aid his mentor and other people with locating the reincarnated holy one. Because they pass through Ulaanbaatar, Chuluun asks his twin to accompany them. To Chuluun's surprise, Mun says yes.

There aren't a lot of landmarks to guide their journey throughout Mongolia, but these are no tourists venturing out to interview three young candidates spread far and wide. (And Mongolia is wide.) I love that the book is part travelogue.

But what is "When I'm Gone, Look for Me in the East" really about? (In her biography, Quan Barry says she was born in Saigon and was raised in Boston.) Her "story" is about the nature of Buddhism. Through Chuluun, she tells of the obstacles mortals must overcome to attain enlightenment. The primary tenet of Buddhism is all life is about suffering and the end of suffering. To participate in this cycle, is to rid oneself of desire. What are young men like Chuluun and Mun about but desire?

Barry has created tranquility and anxiety in her book. She asks the right questions. And you will love the character of Little Bat.