With no love in his life and his New York job working for a philosophy magazine in tatters, Alfi embarks on an adventure into Nepal's Himalaya to see if lasting happiness is really attainable. Alfi is our everyman in this immensely thought provoking read. A deceptively complex novel, broad in its scope and delving into psychology, ancient and modern philosophy, ethics and theology, all told within a colourful and humorous tale. What is Self, the bond between nurture and nature, the workings of the mind and the supernatural and all woven together in this thoroughly entertaining book. Carver has an eye for poetic detail, comedy knowhow and is a natural story-teller, exploring complex themes, yet describing them simply, through observations within a lively, fast moving narrative. This book has so many colours; in parts it reads like a fable, in others it's sharply sophisticated or lightly humorous, and even cinematic. An altogether powerful read that could change all your perspectives. As it states in its introductory pages, the book 'as rich as the reader would like it to be.' Recommended.