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Above the Fire: A Novel
While backpacking in New Hampshire with his son, Doug hears word of societal collapse. Deciding to draw deeper into the wilderness, they face brutal winter conditions and lurking dangers — but as spring approaches, they must choose between staying hidden and confronting an uncertain world.
240 pages, Paperback
First published December 5, 2023
151 people are currently reading
6947 people want to read
About the author
Michael O'Donnell
2 books48 followersMichael O'Donnell is the bestselling author of the novels ABOVE THE FIRE (2023) and CONCERT BLACK (forthcoming 2026). In 2023 Apple Books named him a debut writer to watch. His work also appears in The New York Times, The Atlantic Monthly, The Wall Street Journal, and The Economist, among other publications. A longtime member of the National Book Critics Circle, he lives in the Chicago area with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews
November 25, 2024
A poignant father and son story with a post-apocalyptic tone that reminds me of The Road by Cormac McCarthy.
A widowed father and his 7-year-old son went on a hiking trip on the Appalachian Trail when the world they knew came to a standstill. The US is under attack and they now need to survive living on the New Hampshire mountains.
Above the Fire is character-driven, mostly father and son with few side characters. I love the survival storyline, cold weather isolation, and the setting of the mountains and wildlife. I appreciate the author's approach of a quiet post-apocalyptic novel which I rarely find in this genre. If only there were more tension to spice up the story.
Thank you Blackstone Publishing and Netgalley for the DRC.
Published Dec 05, 2023.
A widowed father and his 7-year-old son went on a hiking trip on the Appalachian Trail when the world they knew came to a standstill. The US is under attack and they now need to survive living on the New Hampshire mountains.
Above the Fire is character-driven, mostly father and son with few side characters. I love the survival storyline, cold weather isolation, and the setting of the mountains and wildlife. I appreciate the author's approach of a quiet post-apocalyptic novel which I rarely find in this genre. If only there were more tension to spice up the story.
Thank you Blackstone Publishing and Netgalley for the DRC.
Published Dec 05, 2023.
November 30, 2023
I was invested in this story… and very let down at the end!
So many loose ends… I don’t know what the point of the story was, to end it this way.
Thank you to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ARC
So many loose ends… I don’t know what the point of the story was, to end it this way.
Thank you to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ARC
December 10, 2023
Doug, a recent widower, takes his young son Tim on a backpack holiday along the Appalachian Trail. On their third day, worrisome information seeps through to their location and Doug can only conclude that civilization as we have always known it doesn't exist anymore. His main task is to keep his son safe, and Doug decides to spend the winter in a cabin in the woods, where both father and son depend on each other to survive in solitude.
The arduous life in a small cabin in winter with limited resources but surrounded by stunning nature made me think of the sublime novel The Wall by Marlene Haushofer, which is one of my favorite books of all time. Above the Fire isn't as poignant and kinder and leaves the reader hopeful at the end. But the characters of father and son are very well crafted and there is the continuous dilemma of returning to society or staying withing the relative security of the mountain hut. The description of the mountains and the life in the cabin surrounded by wildlife is beautifully done.
This debut is surprisingly expertly crafted, the writing is as crisp as mountain air on a spring morning. An author that needs to be watched, for sure !
A sincere thanks to NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The arduous life in a small cabin in winter with limited resources but surrounded by stunning nature made me think of the sublime novel The Wall by Marlene Haushofer, which is one of my favorite books of all time. Above the Fire isn't as poignant and kinder and leaves the reader hopeful at the end. But the characters of father and son are very well crafted and there is the continuous dilemma of returning to society or staying withing the relative security of the mountain hut. The description of the mountains and the life in the cabin surrounded by wildlife is beautifully done.
This debut is surprisingly expertly crafted, the writing is as crisp as mountain air on a spring morning. An author that needs to be watched, for sure !
A sincere thanks to NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 10, 2024
COMPLETELY SPOILER-FREE:This is a story that is based on very few characters and plays out in a very limited set of similar locations.
It is like a house with but a few windows and a door hardly used, where we are privy to only what happens inside. What occurs outside matters but is merely glimpsed “through a window darkly” and not interacted with by the occupants.
The author produces a setting that allows to strip away all the imagined existential worries, ingrained consumer habits and ubiquitous distractions which form our complex yet more and more unfocused behavioral patterns dictated by society. The reader finds him/herself in an isolated place, incommunicado; the outside world an ever fainter memory.
What would a relationship between father and son be like when both are given time alone and circumstance to communicate, to build, to ponder, to decide - together.
A wintery place , snowy landscapes, an ominous quiet, sculpted artfully by means of a straightforward plot of a heartfelt human relation, that is Above the Fire by Michael O’Donnell.
It is like a house with but a few windows and a door hardly used, where we are privy to only what happens inside. What occurs outside matters but is merely glimpsed “through a window darkly” and not interacted with by the occupants.
The author produces a setting that allows to strip away all the imagined existential worries, ingrained consumer habits and ubiquitous distractions which form our complex yet more and more unfocused behavioral patterns dictated by society. The reader finds him/herself in an isolated place, incommunicado; the outside world an ever fainter memory.
What would a relationship between father and son be like when both are given time alone and circumstance to communicate, to build, to ponder, to decide - together.
A wintery place , snowy landscapes, an ominous quiet, sculpted artfully by means of a straightforward plot of a heartfelt human relation, that is Above the Fire by Michael O’Donnell.
December 21, 2024
Above the Fire by Michael O’Donnell is a debut novel about survival. Doug and his 7yo son go backpacking in the New Hampshire mountains when a cyber attack hits the infrastructure in the United States. Everything around them goes crazy. No phone, electricity or way to get food. Doug has to make a decision to stay safe hidden in the mountains or go back into the madness with the rest of society. Doug makes his choice and teaches 7yo Tim how to go from a young child to a boy as the maneuverer the challenges in the world to maintain their own survival. He starts to form a deep bond with his son as they both mourn the loss of the child’s mother and learn to know each other on a different level. This was a sweet book that reminded me of White Fang and The Call of the Wild. This book will stay with me for a long time.
December 17, 2023
I read an advanced readers copy of Michael O'Donnell's debut novel Above the Fire, thanks to the publisher and Netgalley. I absolutely loved this book, and did not want it to end. The story of a widowed father and his seven year old son on a multi-day hiking trip in the presidential range in New Hampshire. Hike by day, spend the night in the lodges in the mountains below Mt Washington. But things go wrong when all cell service and wi-fi ends, and it becomes apparent that there has been a cyber attack that has shut down all of the country's power grid and communications. In itself, a theme similar to Rumaan Alam's book (and Netflix film) Leave the World Behind., or one of many post-apocalyptic novels. But this book is different.
Doug decides that rather than head back down the mountain and take his chances "down below" - he would take advantage of the fully stocked lodge and hunker down for a few weeks, and ultimately the entire winter with his son Tim. The book is a story of a father and son, a story of survival, or dealing with an unknown future, but trying to find routines, help his son grow and mature. And in the same way for Doug to grow as well.
The book will disappoint those who want a political backstory to the cyberattack, or even a notion of what actually happened and how civilization appears to be falling apart. Instead, it is a story of how two people, a man and his son, learn how to deal with a new unknown future. The book will disappoint those who want zombies, or rogue terrorists. Doug has a rifle, but not a shot is fired in the entire book. In many ways the book reminded me of another post-apocalyptic book, which also took place partially in New Hampshire, Brad Manuel's The Last Tribe, and that is a good thing. Both books are powerful reads. And leave the reader wanting more.
O'Donnell's knowledge of the Appalachian trail through New Hampshire's Presidential range adds depth to the novel. His story-telling ability makes it a truly enjoyable ride. Hoping he continues the story someday.
Doug decides that rather than head back down the mountain and take his chances "down below" - he would take advantage of the fully stocked lodge and hunker down for a few weeks, and ultimately the entire winter with his son Tim. The book is a story of a father and son, a story of survival, or dealing with an unknown future, but trying to find routines, help his son grow and mature. And in the same way for Doug to grow as well.
The book will disappoint those who want a political backstory to the cyberattack, or even a notion of what actually happened and how civilization appears to be falling apart. Instead, it is a story of how two people, a man and his son, learn how to deal with a new unknown future. The book will disappoint those who want zombies, or rogue terrorists. Doug has a rifle, but not a shot is fired in the entire book. In many ways the book reminded me of another post-apocalyptic book, which also took place partially in New Hampshire, Brad Manuel's The Last Tribe, and that is a good thing. Both books are powerful reads. And leave the reader wanting more.
O'Donnell's knowledge of the Appalachian trail through New Hampshire's Presidential range adds depth to the novel. His story-telling ability makes it a truly enjoyable ride. Hoping he continues the story someday.
December 22, 2023
A beautifully written father-son story set against a believable semi-dystopian event in the United States.
Doug, a widower, takes his 7-year-old son, Tim, on a hiking trip in New Hampshire. While still on the trail, they learn that a cyber attack has taken out all of the United States (no information, no electricity , no gasoline, no food deliveries). Everyone on the mountain--hikers, park personnel, researchers--make the decision to descend and leave the park as quickly as possible. Doug, however, wonders if this is the best course of action.
The novel is much more than a survival story or an exploration of what-if. It's very much a father-son story: Doug and Tim's relationship with each other, their continued grief over the loss of their wife/mother, and their contemplation of what the future might hold. There are also concerns about animals and perhaps other people who may threaten their safe haven.
I loved this book--both the contemplative writing style and the plot. The combination of character study and connection to nature and the issues of the world was perfect. I loved the ending as well. As others have noted, the book is perfect for fans of Peter Heller; I'd also add Peter Geye and Emily St. John.
Robert Fass's performance of the auidobook is not to be missed. If I were still in a position to give out awards, he'd have one from me. He hit the exact right emotional impact and added just enough extras (a moment of breathlessness, for example) to round out the characters and tighten the bond I felt with the story.
Thanks to Blackstone Audio and Libro.fm for the review copy.
Doug, a widower, takes his 7-year-old son, Tim, on a hiking trip in New Hampshire. While still on the trail, they learn that a cyber attack has taken out all of the United States (no information, no electricity , no gasoline, no food deliveries). Everyone on the mountain--hikers, park personnel, researchers--make the decision to descend and leave the park as quickly as possible. Doug, however, wonders if this is the best course of action.
The novel is much more than a survival story or an exploration of what-if. It's very much a father-son story: Doug and Tim's relationship with each other, their continued grief over the loss of their wife/mother, and their contemplation of what the future might hold. There are also concerns about animals and perhaps other people who may threaten their safe haven.
I loved this book--both the contemplative writing style and the plot. The combination of character study and connection to nature and the issues of the world was perfect. I loved the ending as well. As others have noted, the book is perfect for fans of Peter Heller; I'd also add Peter Geye and Emily St. John.
Robert Fass's performance of the auidobook is not to be missed. If I were still in a position to give out awards, he'd have one from me. He hit the exact right emotional impact and added just enough extras (a moment of breathlessness, for example) to round out the characters and tighten the bond I felt with the story.
Thanks to Blackstone Audio and Libro.fm for the review copy.
December 17, 2023
I really loved the beginning of the story.. some nice atmospheric writing, an interesting premise.. but the end really didn't deliver. Way too much open ends.. what was the actual thing that happened? Was it all for nothing? How do they cope with the situation? Very unsatisfactory..
Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC to read & review. These are my honest opinions.
Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC to read & review. These are my honest opinions.
April 25, 2024
Disappointing. I would have probably appreciated this book more if I didn't have previous experience with The Road and The Wall. But I did, and so this novel emerged as a pale shadow both in comparison and on its own. There was too much, and not enough. Too much internal character debate (should Doug take choice A or choice B), too much exposition, too much mundane details of interactions with Tim, too much telling (let us see a darn good argument between the two, not just tell us they were having trouble getting along, or Tim was surly and turned away, or something equally short changed). The interaction with the man with the orange socks held the promise of some real tension...but that, too, fizzled out. And then the whole Dave detour. What in the world...he had time to...but not...so instead he...and then...seriously? As well as the Danish family detour, why build them up if only to just drop 'em off in the narrative?
When we read a dystopian novel, we expect to be challenged on many different levels. But I wasn't challenged as a reader, I just felt like the father and son were wintering over in a ranger station hut. Well, okay, but then don't bother with the cyberattack scenario, find another reason they are stuck over the winter (by the way, a father and son duo died in Colorado on a similar hike, so no cyberattack scenario required to explore what could have happened if they had wintered over). I also would have made Tim older, so he would have been a more formidable ally/enemy with his father. There could have been some tremendously emotionally charged scenes. Anyway, that's a different book.
And maybe, too, my assessment is unfair because I lived solo on the top of a mountain for 30 years. So the whole stocking up, wood chopping, winter storm etc etc isn't anything new to me. But why is all that mundane detail there if the premise of the novel is a US shutdown? Where was the tension? The solar panels dying, hearing gunshots (ie, gun fire) in the distance coming closer, a wilderness fire (yes, it can happen in the winter), the cabin catching on fire and they have to retreat to the observation cabin with its extreme cold and Mr. Orange Socks...so many possibilities not explored. Little things do happen that could have offered more tension, but then they just get resolved and life carries on. I just didn't feel the desperation, and I should have, even if it's a quiet desperation, as so brilliantly conveyed in The Wall. No tension inside the cabin between father and son and no tension outside the cabin between the battles of the world below the mountain and the battles of the world above its base. One of the Mr. Orange Socks scenes offered that hope of cranking up the tension--and I perked right up--but then, meh. And then that ending. Good grief, how absolutely silly.
On a positive note, the cover photo and design of this novel are really beautiful.
Bottom line for me was this narrative straddled the fence between wilderness survival novel and dystopian novel, and it didn't succeed on either level.
When we read a dystopian novel, we expect to be challenged on many different levels. But I wasn't challenged as a reader, I just felt like the father and son were wintering over in a ranger station hut. Well, okay, but then don't bother with the cyberattack scenario, find another reason they are stuck over the winter (by the way, a father and son duo died in Colorado on a similar hike, so no cyberattack scenario required to explore what could have happened if they had wintered over). I also would have made Tim older, so he would have been a more formidable ally/enemy with his father. There could have been some tremendously emotionally charged scenes. Anyway, that's a different book.
And maybe, too, my assessment is unfair because I lived solo on the top of a mountain for 30 years. So the whole stocking up, wood chopping, winter storm etc etc isn't anything new to me. But why is all that mundane detail there if the premise of the novel is a US shutdown? Where was the tension? The solar panels dying, hearing gunshots (ie, gun fire) in the distance coming closer, a wilderness fire (yes, it can happen in the winter), the cabin catching on fire and they have to retreat to the observation cabin with its extreme cold and Mr. Orange Socks...so many possibilities not explored. Little things do happen that could have offered more tension, but then they just get resolved and life carries on. I just didn't feel the desperation, and I should have, even if it's a quiet desperation, as so brilliantly conveyed in The Wall. No tension inside the cabin between father and son and no tension outside the cabin between the battles of the world below the mountain and the battles of the world above its base. One of the Mr. Orange Socks scenes offered that hope of cranking up the tension--and I perked right up--but then, meh. And then that ending. Good grief, how absolutely silly.
On a positive note, the cover photo and design of this novel are really beautiful.
Bottom line for me was this narrative straddled the fence between wilderness survival novel and dystopian novel, and it didn't succeed on either level.
July 25, 2023
Set in a dystopian world where survival rules, a man forges an unbreakable bond with his young son. Doug and seven year old Tim go hiking in the White Mountains before cold weather sets in. Doug is an introverted widower and has trouble connecting with Tim. Their shared grief has failed to unite them. However, when an unknown national disaster cuts off all communication, they must work together to survive. Something unseen has left the country without power. There are riots, uncontrolled fires and unknown disasters. Doug decides to remain in the mountains and seeks refuge in a ranger’s cabin with Tim. Over the course of a lonely winter, he and Tim must rely on each to stay alive.
Above the Fire is beautifully written with characters so well described that you can see their souls. Debut author Michael O’Donnell draws us into an atmospheric world of outer bleakness and inner loneliness to show us the growing love between Doug and Tim. The other characters, David, the Danish couple and the man with the orange socks are also vividly depicted. I didn’t want this book to end. Thank you, Michael O’Donnell. 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing and Michael O’Donnell for this ARC.
Above the Fire is beautifully written with characters so well described that you can see their souls. Debut author Michael O’Donnell draws us into an atmospheric world of outer bleakness and inner loneliness to show us the growing love between Doug and Tim. The other characters, David, the Danish couple and the man with the orange socks are also vividly depicted. I didn’t want this book to end. Thank you, Michael O’Donnell. 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing and Michael O’Donnell for this ARC.
August 29, 2023
This is quiet book about relationships - with yourself, with family, with friends, with nature. There isn't a lot of on the page action but the disorder that the country is undergoing presents a stressor that creates tension. Loved this book. It was thoughtful and had depth. The writing is rich with description and atmosphere. Highly recommend.
December 31, 2023
"Above the Fire" takes readers on a captivating journey into a mountain cabin in the harsh winter months with a father and son isolated for months.
The author skillfully brings the characters to life and . the portrayal of the father and son relationship is a standout feature of the book.
However, as the story reaches its conclusion the ending leaves many unanswered questions and the desire to know how things ultimately turn out for the characters lingers.
While the unresolved ending may leave some readers yearning for more closure, it also opens up space for interpretation and reflection. It allows readers to contemplate the possible outcomes for the characters and engage in discussions about it.
December 11, 2023
I loved this book. It was a poignant story of parenthood, childhood innocence, grief, and survival in the great outdoors. The thoughtful character development and attention to descriptive detail completely enraptured me.
December 10, 2023
4.25 or 4.5 stars probably. I really enjoyed this quiet little novel. It’s something between a Leave the World Behind, Station 11, These Silent Woods, and The Road type of reading experience. The story is about a man and his son on a hiking trip in the mountains when there is a cyber attack on the US and all hell breaks loose down below in the cities and towns where most people live. There is no plague or anything like that, but the world is unstable so they try to survive in the mountains. It’s a very quiet survival story about a father and child trying to make it on their own and the friends, challenges, and struggles they encounter along the way. This isn’t a blood rushing, plot driven story. Instead, it’s a character study and an exploration of a father-son dynamic. It was very quiet but very beautiful, and I felt so deeply for these characters. Thank you, Libro.fm, for this wonderful audiobook.
February 17, 2024
I absolutely loved this book; Doug and his son Tim are archetypal characters. A coming of age story for Tim and stretching of father figure in Doug. Couldn't recommend this book enough. My one reservation is that it is a quick read, I wish the author would have made this a 600-700 page read. After a night of reflection I'd say above the fire for me was like enjoying a nice cigar.
June 27, 2024
A great book of a father and son living “off grid” not by choice. The world as they knew it came to a halt. A father and son who although at times miss their home, also fall in love with nature and all things survival. I appreciated that the “halt of the world” down below, wasn’t spoken of too much, as it would have become a political muddy mess. A simple book of a father and son learning to love life from a different perspective.
May 13, 2024
I'm a hiker who loves the post-apocalyptic genre and has hiked around Mount Washington a little in New Hampshire so this was like a dream book for me. But I think it'd be a great read to many other readers as well, especially parents. It's a gentle and loving portrait of a father and his young son who have to (and get to) spend several months together in one of the New Hampshire huts in the Presidential range during a post-apoc. situation. I imagine COVID was an inspiration for this book. My daughter was around the boy's age during COVID so it definitely brought back a lot of memories - of appreciating the time, of trying to appreciate the time, of being tired of the time, and now of missing that time where it was me and my kids day after day. The dad in this novel is a really excellent dad -- and I wondered at times, was any parent that good? (Or maybe I'm just a particularly imperfect parent.) But I think in the end the dad does explore his doubts and exhaustion in thoughts, not in action. A comforting and fun read. And the audiobook is EXCELLENT.
January 16, 2024
A perfectly paced story about a widowed father finding safety for his 7-year-old son during a cataclysmic event, and into the resulting highly changed world.
With palpable tension, acts of kindness from strangers, and grief for what once was, Michael O’Donnell’s tale reminds us how adaptable humans can be when it comes to survival despite the great cost of losing safety and security.
Set during a 7-month period (late fall through spring) on the top of New Hampshire’s White Mountain range, this is a great book for a cold winter weekend when you can sit by a fire and marvel at what miracles electricity and the internet are to the human race.
With palpable tension, acts of kindness from strangers, and grief for what once was, Michael O’Donnell’s tale reminds us how adaptable humans can be when it comes to survival despite the great cost of losing safety and security.
Set during a 7-month period (late fall through spring) on the top of New Hampshire’s White Mountain range, this is a great book for a cold winter weekend when you can sit by a fire and marvel at what miracles electricity and the internet are to the human race.
June 29, 2024
Unfortunately I stopped reading this book. Could not get into it nor did I enjoy how poorly it was written.
September 19, 2024
What a gem. I had lost most of my appetite for the civilisation ends books, due to the flood of EMP themed US under attack books some 10yrs back - always so USA, good against evil, guns guns guns, strong men protect their family. Yawn, so American, so boring.
So it was joy to discover above the fire. Indeed, there are strong similarities to the road. But where the road is bleak, harsh and troubling, above the fire finds a different, more contemplative tone.
I do need my storyline, and usually books where most of the text is introspection quickly bore me (especially now with being neuroimpaired). So it was a delight finding this one worked for me, and did so very well indeed.
There is some conflict, but it's relatable, and not overblown. The kid sometimes is a pain in the ass, just as the real ones, and the father's approach sometimes seemed a little too idealised, patient and always reflected. But these flaws are easily offset by a well told connection of people, nature and all in between.
So, this was one of the stories where my heart sinks seeing the end of the book nearing. Having often a shitty life nowadays, this book took me by the hand, lifted me free from misery for a wonderful and valuable journey.
Listened to the audio book, and that was also truly well narrated, finding the fine line between annoying playacting and a read where characters were well presented by voice, tone and style.
Thanks for a wonderful holiday from life!!!
So it was joy to discover above the fire. Indeed, there are strong similarities to the road. But where the road is bleak, harsh and troubling, above the fire finds a different, more contemplative tone.
I do need my storyline, and usually books where most of the text is introspection quickly bore me (especially now with being neuroimpaired). So it was a delight finding this one worked for me, and did so very well indeed.
There is some conflict, but it's relatable, and not overblown. The kid sometimes is a pain in the ass, just as the real ones, and the father's approach sometimes seemed a little too idealised, patient and always reflected. But these flaws are easily offset by a well told connection of people, nature and all in between.
So, this was one of the stories where my heart sinks seeing the end of the book nearing. Having often a shitty life nowadays, this book took me by the hand, lifted me free from misery for a wonderful and valuable journey.
Listened to the audio book, and that was also truly well narrated, finding the fine line between annoying playacting and a read where characters were well presented by voice, tone and style.
Thanks for a wonderful holiday from life!!!
August 17, 2024
I love reading dystopian novels. And I love it even more when they exceed my anticapation and my expectations. This one wasn't that.
A father and son go hiking on the Appalachian trail. They meet various people but soon find out that the U.S. has suffered an attack leaving everyone in the dark with no electricity and no cell phones. And so the story starts.
I will start off with the positives. I enjoyed the father/son relationship. That is what kept me in. It was thoughtful and reminded me of so many moments of raising my own kids. I also liked the wilderness setting of the Appalachian mountains. It suited the eerie feeling with so many unknowns.
But as a dystopian novel, it lacked the drama and action and hard decision making I've come to expect from my dystopian characters. And the ending. One question: What was that? It certainly didn't feel like an ending. It felt more like a plot point.
So 2 or 3 stars is the question. I will round up to 3 because of the father/son duo. But this was kind of a disappointment.
A father and son go hiking on the Appalachian trail. They meet various people but soon find out that the U.S. has suffered an attack leaving everyone in the dark with no electricity and no cell phones. And so the story starts.
I will start off with the positives. I enjoyed the father/son relationship. That is what kept me in. It was thoughtful and reminded me of so many moments of raising my own kids. I also liked the wilderness setting of the Appalachian mountains. It suited the eerie feeling with so many unknowns.
But as a dystopian novel, it lacked the drama and action and hard decision making I've come to expect from my dystopian characters. And the ending. One question: What was that? It certainly didn't feel like an ending. It felt more like a plot point.
So 2 or 3 stars is the question. I will round up to 3 because of the father/son duo. But this was kind of a disappointment.
January 11, 2024
Above the Fire is definitely a continuation of a type of book I found I really enjoyed last year - father/son relationships after an unnamed dystopian event happens. The Road will probably always top this list of books, but Above the Fire is certainly worth mentioning.
Doug, a recent widower, takes his son, Tim, on a backpacking venture in New Hampshire. Within 3 days of their hike, words gets to them that some sort of cyber attack has happened and the US (the world?) is off the grid - no electricity, no communication, and no idea how long it will last. While most of the hikers make the decision to return to civilization as soon as possible, Doug and Tim decide to spend the winter in isolation at one of the camps along the trail.
What follows is more a journey into their preparation for a long, and possibly difficult, winter in isolation, and more importantly, and exploration into Doug and Tim’s relationship and their still raw emotions surrounding grief. The descriptions of their surrounding nature was beautiful, and the isolation from all the troubles sounded wonderful.
I really enjoyed this book - audio is great - and what I’ll remember most is Doug’s patience and protection of Tim.
Doug, a recent widower, takes his son, Tim, on a backpacking venture in New Hampshire. Within 3 days of their hike, words gets to them that some sort of cyber attack has happened and the US (the world?) is off the grid - no electricity, no communication, and no idea how long it will last. While most of the hikers make the decision to return to civilization as soon as possible, Doug and Tim decide to spend the winter in isolation at one of the camps along the trail.
What follows is more a journey into their preparation for a long, and possibly difficult, winter in isolation, and more importantly, and exploration into Doug and Tim’s relationship and their still raw emotions surrounding grief. The descriptions of their surrounding nature was beautiful, and the isolation from all the troubles sounded wonderful.
I really enjoyed this book - audio is great - and what I’ll remember most is Doug’s patience and protection of Tim.
August 1, 2024
It was interesting and thoughtful. I did enjoy it. However, the names really bugged me. The main character, Doug, is 41. His wife was Carol. People born in the late 80s/early 90s were not named Carol or Doug. (I am currently 41, but this book takes place in the near future, so I surveyed my siblings, born in the late 80s/early 90s, to see if they knew any Dougs or Carols. One knew a Doug, but he was the son of immigrants who were trying to give him an American name, so they named him after an adult who had helped them come to the US.) Sure, there are going to be some out there, but what are the chances of the one Doug finding the one Carol? It threw me off enough sometimes to take me out of the story.
August 19, 2024
Beautiful portrayal of father-child relationship, during an unknown “surge” that leaves the pair isolated.
Several interesting secondary characters intersect with the father-son & added to their story, never taking away from the focus on the pair.
I listened to this novel as an audiobook - the reader has a great voice, level & calm but strong.
Lots of food for thought for parents. Also, reflections on the importance of human connections, loneliness, fear & trust, friendships… I’ll have more thoughts in the coming days.
Finally, I’m so glad this was not a gross/scary/pessimistic apocalypse story - not sure I could’ve handled it.
Several interesting secondary characters intersect with the father-son & added to their story, never taking away from the focus on the pair.
I listened to this novel as an audiobook - the reader has a great voice, level & calm but strong.
Lots of food for thought for parents. Also, reflections on the importance of human connections, loneliness, fear & trust, friendships… I’ll have more thoughts in the coming days.
Finally, I’m so glad this was not a gross/scary/pessimistic apocalypse story - not sure I could’ve handled it.
February 8, 2024
This was nice for what it was. Enthralling? No. But it was a nice, quiet story about a dad and son taking shelter in the mountains while questionable things are happening out in the "real world". There were some good thoughts on parenting, and it was interesting to see them build up their shelter and pass the time. But that's really about it. It feels like maybe this could have been a prequel for The Road at much lower stakes.
July 15, 2024
Really liked this one. It was very different from what I have been reading and a nice slow down.
It has a good story and interesting themes that you wouldn't expect from a book this size. I think every man who is or wants to be a father should read this book.
I enjoyed this unexpected perspective in this common *end of the world* plot
It has a good story and interesting themes that you wouldn't expect from a book this size. I think every man who is or wants to be a father should read this book.
I enjoyed this unexpected perspective in this common *end of the world* plot
dnf
January 23, 2025I made it to 30% but between the anxiety fueled ramblings and the dystopian "America's falling apart" theme....this is not good for my mental health. Especially right now.
Also the dynamic between father and son, and to a lesser extent the kid himself, felt so....off. Weird. Uncanny valley vibes. Idk what to call it but no thank you.
Also the dynamic between father and son, and to a lesser extent the kid himself, felt so....off. Weird. Uncanny valley vibes. Idk what to call it but no thank you.
March 13, 2024
Excellent. Great meditation on the bond of a grieving father and son. My favorite character though was the setting. I came across this book because I searched for “literary fiction set in the snowy mountains.” This book hit that perfectly. I love books that don’t use fictional settings where I can Google map locations and see where there characters are. I hope to visit IRL someday. The trail huts are so cool. I can also see where some readers would be disappointed with the ending but I thought it made sense. The journey was the most important thing here.
May 19, 2024
Hopeful ending.
July 24, 2024
This totally kept my interest and was altogether rather pleasant for an apocalypse story
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