This is one of the best books I've read in years. It tells a fascinating tale, in beautiful prose and, here and there, poetry as well. I've given A Thousand Veils to several friends and they have all had the same enthusiastic reaction. One of my neighbors dropped by on New Year's Day to say she hadn't gone out the night before, but instead curled up by the fire to finish the last (extremely exciting) chapters of this wonderful book. We all agree that A Thousand Veils is a page-turner that at the same time gives the reader important insight into cultural differences between East and West.