I have just received the pocket book Dutch edition of my book Dalai Lama: Man, monnik, mysticus. So far the book has done over 20 language editions. I would describe the book's overall commercial performance as ranging between average and good.
From what I can tell it has received far less media attention than one might have suspected given the inherently compelling nature of the subject. The reviews in the past two years have been largely positive, while some have called it dreadful.
Unlike writers of lesser books, I have not been able to project myself personally. I have been driven by the principle that the work has to speak for itself. If it doesn't, that's just too bad. Admittedly, this is not the kind of attitude that can get me too far in a market where projecting oneself is a prerequisite.
Just how much of a low profile I have kept on this book became evident to me at a recent event where more than 30 Indian journalists had gathered. Many of them were animatedly discussing the U.S. policy on China in the context of Tibet and the Dalai Lama and how it might play out with India. Broadcast journalists were looking for some educated comments on the subject. Sitting barely five feet away from many of them, it did not even strike anyone that I just might fit the bill.
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