Old Ugly-Face | Talbot Mundy

What ancient secrets lie hidden within the remote, forbidden peaks of the high Himalayas? Talbot Mundy investigates in Old Ugly-Face.

About the Book:

Old Ugly Face is the nickname of a Tibetan lama, the Ringding Gelong Lama Lopsang Pun, an ascetic with an infectious laugh, a penchant for flogging sin out of wayward monks, and the power to overcome all obstacles in his way.

This is the second novel dealing with Old Ugly Face’s effort to protect Tibetan religious traditions from Russian, Japanese, and Chinese intrigue just prior to World War II, a sequel to the novel The Thunder Dragon Gate.

It also continues the story of Elsa Burbage and her husband Tom Grayne, whom she left behind in a Tibet-tan cave to return to Darjeeling to have their child.

The child was born, however, at 17,000 feet in the Himalayas during a blizzard, yet made it through that ordeal only to die after arriving safely in India.

Elsa wishes to return to Tom and persuades the American adventurer Andrew Gunning the man who brought her out of Tibet to let her join him in his clandestine journey back to Tom.

This fast-paced adventure novel by Talbot Mundy is one of the greatest novels ever written of the rigors and tests of the spiritual path.

It is Mundy at his best.

Set in Tibet, the story concerns a group of men and women who are vitally involved in an exciting situation in that forbidden land of towering mountain peaks and age-old secrets.

The Dalai Lama had died, and the choice of a successor to the most influential position in Tibet is a matter of utmost concern to the agents of various foreign governments and to Tom Grayne, unofficially representing the United States, Andrew Gunning, his free-lance friend, and Elsa Burbage, in Tibet under unusual circumstances.

Above all, the future of Tibet lies in the hands of the Most Reverend Lobsang Pun, known as Old Ugly-Face, a wrinkled, stout Tibetan prelate of uncertain age, a genuine mystic whose mission in life is to preserve the seeds of sanity in a world gone mad.

Grayne and Gunning are both in love with Elsa, and out of this conflict between life-long friends arises a drama of absorbing interest--a drama intensified by international intrigue, treachery, unbelievable courage in the face of the greatest adversity, and the prodigious efforts of Old Ugly-Face to win control of the newly appointed Dalai Lama.

Frequently Asked Questions About Old Ugly-Face:

• Q: Is this book an independent story, or do I need to read previous books to understand it?
  A: While it is technically a direct sequel to Talbot Mundy's 1937 novel The Thunder Dragon Gate, it is widely celebrated by literary critics as a completely independent, self-contained adventure. You do not need any prior knowledge of the series to fully dive into and enjoy this narrative.
• Q: Who is the character "Old Ugly-Face" referenced in the title?
  A: "Old Ugly-Face" is the affectionate, irreverent nickname given to the Ringding Gelong Lama Lopsang Pun. He is a grand, mystical Tibetan monk of venerable age who possesses an infectious sense of humor, a fierce dedication to spiritual discipline, and profound esoteric abilities.
• Q: What is the primary plot and historical setting driving the story?
  A: Set in the high-stakes, forbidden mountain passes of Tibet immediately preceding World War II, the plot ignites after the sudden death of the Dalai Lama. The narrative follows a perilous quest to locate the new child incarnation while Western adventurers and mystical lamas work together to protect Tibetan religious traditions from international espionage and political infiltration.
• Q: How does this book differ from standard pulp action and adventure novels of its era?
  A: Unlike typical period adventures that lean into shallow gunfights, Old Ugly-Face transitions heavily into Eastern philosophy, occult mysticism, and spiritual testing. Mundy spent significant parts of his life traveling Asia, utilizing his real-world regional awareness to create a respectful, deep exploration of the spiritual path and esoteric law.
• Q: What unique writing style elements should a classic fiction reader expect?
  A: The book features the classic, dense, and atmospheric prose style of the golden age pulp era. It is woven with intricate subplots of love, jealousy, and treachery, and features heavy thematic subtext, hidden literary allegories, and eastern philosophical debates embedded right into the character dialogue.

About the Author:

Talbot Mundy: English Writer

Talbot Mundy was an English writer of adventure fiction. Based for most of his life in the United States, he also wrote under the pseudonym of Walter Galt.

Best known as the author of King of the Khyber Rifles and the Jimgrim series, much of his work was published in pulp magazines.

Bibliographic Data:

• Full Title: Old Ugly-Face
• Author(s): Talbot Mundy (William Lancaster Gribbon)
• Publisher & Imprint: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (Note: This specific 2013 print run uses the classic text originally published by D. Appleton-Century Co.)
• Publication Date: March 30, 2013
• Binding Format: Trade Paperback
• Condition: Pre-Owned / Very Good
• Edition: Reprint / Trade Paperback
• Print Length: 444 Pages
• Language: English
• ISBN-13: 9781484061237
• ISBN-10: 1484061239
• Library of Congress (LCCN): 40-003666
• Primary Genre (BISAC): FICTION / Action & Adventure
• Sub-Genres (BISAC): FICTION / Classics; FICTION / Historical / General; FICTION / Occult & Supernatural
• Dimensions: 6.0 x 1.0 x 9.0 inches
• Weight: 1.41 lbs (approx. 22.6 oz)

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