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Mysterium
A young woman who lost her mother to a climbing accident is resolved to summit India’s highest peak in this daring and lyrical novel
Mysterium, known as Mount Sarasvati, looms over the Indian Himalayas as the range’s tallest peak in the dazzling fictional world Susan Froderberg has created.
Sarasvati “Sara” Troy is determined to reach the peak for which she was christened, and to climb it in honor of her mother, who perished in a mountaineering accident when Sara was just a child. She asks her father, a celebrated mountaineer and philosophy professor, to organize and lead the expedition.The six climbers he recruits are an uneasy mix. They include his longtime friend Dr. Andrew Reddy, a recent widower, and Reddy’s son, who often challenges his father; Wilder Carson, the acclaimed climber who is tormented by the death of his brother; Wilder’s wife, Vida, a former lover of Dr. Reddy; and the distinguished scholar of climbing Virgil Adams and his wife, Hillary. Porters and Sherpas are recruited in India to assist and be part of the team.
The party’s journey is harrowing, taking them from the mountain’s gorge, into its sanctuary, and finally onto the summit, a path that evokes the hell, purgatory, and heaven of Dante’s Inferno. As the air thins and this unforgettable journey unfolds, Sara emerges as a Beatrice-like figure, buoying her companions up the mountain through the sheer strength and beauty of her being. Both monumental quest and dreamlike odyssey, Mysterium is infused with the language of climbing and profound existential insight.
Mysterium, known as Mount Sarasvati, looms over the Indian Himalayas as the range’s tallest peak in the dazzling fictional world Susan Froderberg has created.
Sarasvati “Sara” Troy is determined to reach the peak for which she was christened, and to climb it in honor of her mother, who perished in a mountaineering accident when Sara was just a child. She asks her father, a celebrated mountaineer and philosophy professor, to organize and lead the expedition.The six climbers he recruits are an uneasy mix. They include his longtime friend Dr. Andrew Reddy, a recent widower, and Reddy’s son, who often challenges his father; Wilder Carson, the acclaimed climber who is tormented by the death of his brother; Wilder’s wife, Vida, a former lover of Dr. Reddy; and the distinguished scholar of climbing Virgil Adams and his wife, Hillary. Porters and Sherpas are recruited in India to assist and be part of the team.
The party’s journey is harrowing, taking them from the mountain’s gorge, into its sanctuary, and finally onto the summit, a path that evokes the hell, purgatory, and heaven of Dante’s Inferno. As the air thins and this unforgettable journey unfolds, Sara emerges as a Beatrice-like figure, buoying her companions up the mountain through the sheer strength and beauty of her being. Both monumental quest and dreamlike odyssey, Mysterium is infused with the language of climbing and profound existential insight.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published August 14, 2018
9 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
About the author
Susan Froderberg
2 books6 followersSusan Froderberg is the author of the novel OLD BORDER ROAD (Little, Brown - 2010) (Back Bay Books - 2011) and MYSTERIUM (FSG - 2018). Her short stories have appeared in Epoch, Antioch Review, Conjunctions, Alaska Quarterly, New York Tyrant, Massachusetts Review, Prairie Schooner, among others. A native of the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in NYC.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 2, 2018
3.5 mysterious stars to Mysterium! ⛰ ⛰ ⛰.5
The cover of Mysterium drew me in instantly. It reminded me of Denali/Mount McKinley in Alaska, which is glorious, and I have been fortunate enough to see in person; however Mysterium is actually India’s highest peak, Mount Sarasvati, located in the Himalayas.
Sara “Sarasvati” Troy lost her mother in a climbing accident, and she is now driven to climb India’s tallest peak for which she has been named. Sara’s father is a born climber, and he organizes the expedition for Sara. He picks a motley crew as part of the team with all kinds of interesting dynamics, including a father and son whose relationship is strife-ridden, and a recent widower and his former lover who is now married to another man also on the expedition. Of course, sherpas are also hired for their vast guidance.
As one can imagine, the journey is arduous and nail-biting. I could feel the adventurous spirit of the characters, the harsh wind on my face, and the tightness in my lungs due to altitude. Froderberg paints a stunning picture through her lyrical writing of the stark reality of such a climb.
Mysterium is an ode to climbing, while also an ode to life. It is shadowy, dream-like, and existential.
Thank you to Farrar, Straus, and Giroux for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
The cover of Mysterium drew me in instantly. It reminded me of Denali/Mount McKinley in Alaska, which is glorious, and I have been fortunate enough to see in person; however Mysterium is actually India’s highest peak, Mount Sarasvati, located in the Himalayas.
Sara “Sarasvati” Troy lost her mother in a climbing accident, and she is now driven to climb India’s tallest peak for which she has been named. Sara’s father is a born climber, and he organizes the expedition for Sara. He picks a motley crew as part of the team with all kinds of interesting dynamics, including a father and son whose relationship is strife-ridden, and a recent widower and his former lover who is now married to another man also on the expedition. Of course, sherpas are also hired for their vast guidance.
As one can imagine, the journey is arduous and nail-biting. I could feel the adventurous spirit of the characters, the harsh wind on my face, and the tightness in my lungs due to altitude. Froderberg paints a stunning picture through her lyrical writing of the stark reality of such a climb.
Mysterium is an ode to climbing, while also an ode to life. It is shadowy, dream-like, and existential.
Thank you to Farrar, Straus, and Giroux for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
July 9, 2018
There are books out there that are easy to dislike, hate even, for sheer reason of them being what might universally be considered a pile of crap. And then there are books like these, ones that are technically good and fathomably appealing to some readers, but they just really don’t work for you. Mysterium is the latter. A thoroughly monotonous overwritten book about summiting the eponymous mountain. Mountain climbing is actually incomprehensible to me, so I figured maybe this book might explain the appeal, but no…it turned out to be as tedious and laborious as mountain climbing seems. Just a form of extreme masochism with some ego tripping thrown in. There is no conquering the mountain, like all forces of nature its complete indifferent to the puny lifeforms crawling up it, it’s just a peculiar way to prove something to yourself…is that it? A test of endurance? Is it that life has become so safe and comfortable that one experiences the need to risk life and limb (literally) to somehow become more alive? Must be, because these climbs aren’t cheap, so they seem to be solely attempted by those with too much money and the locally hired labor, the latter infinitely more adept and probably would never consider doing something like this without money involved. But whatever social commentary mountain climbing contains, this book isn’t about that, it’s more of a dreamily gauzily woven depiction of one specific brutal summit. The descriptions are vivid, but it’s all much too poetic for my liking and (possibly) for the subject also. Some of the imagery works, some comes across as pretentious…moon coming out of darkness like ova out of ovaries…seriously? And it’s difficult to care in general, traditionally when plots find characters in dangerous and difficult situations it makes for a very engaging narrative, like survivor stories. It’s considerably less engaging when the circumstances are completely and inexplicably self imposed. Again, there’s a very good chance this was a lovely very literary book for the right reader, but rule of thumb with me is…do I care? Am I invested? Can I wait to get back to it? And it’s just no, no, no. It read long, tedious even, and I was thrilled when it finally ended. There were some nice vocabulary building words, but that’s nowhere near enough of a payoff for such a slog. Mountain climbing’s appeal remains unexplained. Thanks Netgalley.
September 2, 2018
3.5 adventurous stars
I liked this story of people who challenged a mountain and through climbing it learned more about themselves and who they are. The descriptions of the scenery were done well. All the climbers from Sara to Dr Reddy and his son to Wilder Carson and his wife Vida, to Virgil Adams and his wife Hillary, to the Sherpas, made this story a harrowing tale. Everyone of the climbers had a history from Sara climbing to honor her mother who perished in a mountaineering episode, and the others we learn of the determination and drive one must possess to attempt a climb such as this where the weather and the sheer environment can kill you.
I stand in awe of people like those portrayed in this book. I have never or would I ever engage in mountain climbing even though I realize it is a feat that consumes some knowing full well the dangers that such a task can hold within it.
Mysterium, Mount Sarasvati, is part of the Indian Himalayas and is the tallest peak in that range. To climb to this peak is an achievement of great peril to the climbers. They suffer from lack of oxygen, the freezing cold, the constant fear of both falling and avalanches, and frostbite that inhabits their everyday. It makes one realize their frailty as they try to conquer what perhaps never should be conquered. It is also a place where one comes face to face with their own frailty, the ghosts that often haunts one, and the realization that life is often treacherous and dangerous.
The one issue I had with the book was that I felt it was too wordy, overwritten at times causing this reader to not become as engaged as one should be in a novel of this sort. I do appreciate the tone Ms Froderberg was trying to strike but at times I had to force myself to continue this journey. Perhaps better editing would have helped.
However, I do recommend this book to anyone who enjoys adventure, to those who relish the ultimate challenge, to those who set a lofty goal among the clouds.
Thank you to Susan Froderburg., Farrar, Straus and Giroux and NetGalley for a copy of this novel.
My reviews can be found here: https://yayareadslotsofbooks.wordpres...
I liked this story of people who challenged a mountain and through climbing it learned more about themselves and who they are. The descriptions of the scenery were done well. All the climbers from Sara to Dr Reddy and his son to Wilder Carson and his wife Vida, to Virgil Adams and his wife Hillary, to the Sherpas, made this story a harrowing tale. Everyone of the climbers had a history from Sara climbing to honor her mother who perished in a mountaineering episode, and the others we learn of the determination and drive one must possess to attempt a climb such as this where the weather and the sheer environment can kill you.
I stand in awe of people like those portrayed in this book. I have never or would I ever engage in mountain climbing even though I realize it is a feat that consumes some knowing full well the dangers that such a task can hold within it.
Mysterium, Mount Sarasvati, is part of the Indian Himalayas and is the tallest peak in that range. To climb to this peak is an achievement of great peril to the climbers. They suffer from lack of oxygen, the freezing cold, the constant fear of both falling and avalanches, and frostbite that inhabits their everyday. It makes one realize their frailty as they try to conquer what perhaps never should be conquered. It is also a place where one comes face to face with their own frailty, the ghosts that often haunts one, and the realization that life is often treacherous and dangerous.
The one issue I had with the book was that I felt it was too wordy, overwritten at times causing this reader to not become as engaged as one should be in a novel of this sort. I do appreciate the tone Ms Froderberg was trying to strike but at times I had to force myself to continue this journey. Perhaps better editing would have helped.
However, I do recommend this book to anyone who enjoys adventure, to those who relish the ultimate challenge, to those who set a lofty goal among the clouds.
Thank you to Susan Froderburg., Farrar, Straus and Giroux and NetGalley for a copy of this novel.
My reviews can be found here: https://yayareadslotsofbooks.wordpres...
June 13, 2018
Mysterium is a fictional mountain in the Himalayas. A team of climbers and Sherpas attempt to climb it with unexpected outcomes. The novel lacked a tone of adventure and has more of a dream like quality to the narrative. I prefer a non fictional account of climbing.
Copy provided by the Publisher and NetGalley
Copy provided by the Publisher and NetGalley
August 21, 2018
Wanted to love it, the cover speaks to me, but abandoned at fifty percent, just didn’t hold my attention. Did enjoy googling about the real account this was based on, think I prefer nonfiction, it’s too exhilarating to be fiction...
July 28, 2018
Though fiction, this book was perhaps the most thoughtful, quiet, philosophical book about mountain climbing I've encountered. I don't mountain climb, personally, but the process horrifies and fascinates me, like caving or cave diving, and I'm drawn to stories of ascents and descents, tragedy and success, like moth to flame.
We are taken through every step of the process to climb a mountain, from choosing a party, to the slog of getting to the country and packing bags, to the trek to base camp with porters, goats, and Sherpas. We sit in tents with them as snow storms bury and whip exposed tents for days and days. We experience near misses with such apt description that we feel what slipping into a snow-hidden crevasse must feel like - the quicksand, the flail, the surprised falling. We feel the hardship, yes, but we also feel their unrelenting drive to ascend, to conquer, to test themselves. We feel the godlike respect and awe of the mountain.
I was so mesmerized by this work that I was up until 2am just to see if they'd summit, and if any might be lost. The tales of mountain tragedy are horrifying in their bleak incomprehensibility, having never desired to be on a mountain myself nor been on one, but this book really helps you see every element, every step, every love, every loss. Beautiful.
We are taken through every step of the process to climb a mountain, from choosing a party, to the slog of getting to the country and packing bags, to the trek to base camp with porters, goats, and Sherpas. We sit in tents with them as snow storms bury and whip exposed tents for days and days. We experience near misses with such apt description that we feel what slipping into a snow-hidden crevasse must feel like - the quicksand, the flail, the surprised falling. We feel the hardship, yes, but we also feel their unrelenting drive to ascend, to conquer, to test themselves. We feel the godlike respect and awe of the mountain.
I was so mesmerized by this work that I was up until 2am just to see if they'd summit, and if any might be lost. The tales of mountain tragedy are horrifying in their bleak incomprehensibility, having never desired to be on a mountain myself nor been on one, but this book really helps you see every element, every step, every love, every loss. Beautiful.
September 25, 2018
Mysterium takes on a fascinating subject, the compulsion of climbers, and the allure of high altitudes. I particularly enjoyed the author’s description of the group dynamics. Her descriptions of Delhi and the climb to altitude were spot on, and made me feel like I was back in Nepal. Much of that descriptive brilliance, however, was wasted on non-essentials, and I felt that a heavier hand in editing would have made for a lighter, and more digestible narrative.
April 10, 2018
4 and 1 / 2 stars
What a remarkable book and story. I personally have no desire to climb mountains, but I am in awe of those who do. The beauty, the hardship and the sheer determination of will all have me fascinated. This book is based on a true story.
Sarasvati “Sara” Troy and her philosophy professor father, Professor Troy and a group of friends set out to climb Mount Sarasvati, the mountain for which Sara was named. Her mother Amanda died on a climb when Sara was just a child about seven years old. Sara wants to climb the mountain in honor of her mother. Sara is in her mid-twenties. Mount Sarasvati is also known as Mysterium. Mysterium is located in the Indian Himalayans.
Each of the climbers has their own reason for joining the group. Some want to renew their relationships, some want to conquer the mountain; a father wants to re-bond with his almost estranged son. They argue among themselves for their own pints of view. The reader wonders if this group will actually get along long enough to climb the mountain.
Ms. Froderberg paints a vivid picture of the surroundings of India. The flora, fauna, weather, people, sights and sounds are all portrayed wonderfully in pictures painted by her words. Her prose is beautiful and almost lyrical.
As they journey to the summit of Mysterium , they face peril, hardship, altitude sickness, ghosts and most of all, they face themselves: their shortcomings and weaknesses.
This is a beautifully written novel. It reads in a straight line from Sara’s idea that they should climb Mysterium through to the mysterious end. It captures the wonder, beauty and sheer hardship that those undertaking such a trek face. I highly recommend this novel.
I want to thank NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for forwarding to me a copy of this beautiful and wondrous book for me to read and enjoy.
What a remarkable book and story. I personally have no desire to climb mountains, but I am in awe of those who do. The beauty, the hardship and the sheer determination of will all have me fascinated. This book is based on a true story.
Sarasvati “Sara” Troy and her philosophy professor father, Professor Troy and a group of friends set out to climb Mount Sarasvati, the mountain for which Sara was named. Her mother Amanda died on a climb when Sara was just a child about seven years old. Sara wants to climb the mountain in honor of her mother. Sara is in her mid-twenties. Mount Sarasvati is also known as Mysterium. Mysterium is located in the Indian Himalayans.
Each of the climbers has their own reason for joining the group. Some want to renew their relationships, some want to conquer the mountain; a father wants to re-bond with his almost estranged son. They argue among themselves for their own pints of view. The reader wonders if this group will actually get along long enough to climb the mountain.
Ms. Froderberg paints a vivid picture of the surroundings of India. The flora, fauna, weather, people, sights and sounds are all portrayed wonderfully in pictures painted by her words. Her prose is beautiful and almost lyrical.
As they journey to the summit of Mysterium , they face peril, hardship, altitude sickness, ghosts and most of all, they face themselves: their shortcomings and weaknesses.
This is a beautifully written novel. It reads in a straight line from Sara’s idea that they should climb Mysterium through to the mysterious end. It captures the wonder, beauty and sheer hardship that those undertaking such a trek face. I highly recommend this novel.
I want to thank NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for forwarding to me a copy of this beautiful and wondrous book for me to read and enjoy.
March 24, 2020
This may be the first book in a while I couldn't finish. At first I thought I just had to get the hang of the style of writing but as more and more characters were introduced, I realized that the stylistic choice felt overwritten rather than enjoyably complex. I so desperately wanted to enjoy this book as I love the subject matter but given the nature of the writing and tendency to fall into needless philosophizing, I had to put it down. Perhaps this will strike better with another reader but 90 pages in and it didn't with this one.
unfinished
October 15, 2018I love mountain books but I found the language of the first chapter intolerable. If I could read trip reports that are halfway between this and Bonatti’s (which are on the dry side) then I would much prefer to read those. Oh wait, I can. I’d stick with it for a few more chapters for nonfiction. Not for this.
September 30, 2023
My local library was attempting to clear up some space and had a book sale, that's how Mysterium ended up in my hands. After reading, I can see why the library was getting rid of this book so soon after its release.
I did thoroughly enjoy parts near the end, but the vocabulary throughout the book is so unnecessarily advanced in the most mundane moments (which were ferociously frequent) that I cannot find it unsurprising that people were putting this down immediately. I haven't turned to a dictionary this much since reading Homestuck - It felt like a joke. I couldn't help but make a connection between the redundancy of the focus on India's caste system, and the try-hard word choice. It was as if the book itself was attempting to gatekeep itself from me like a climber protecting their place on a mountain - the same entitlement, attempting a faux caste system forced upon those who pick up the text.
Speaking of, the depiction of the people of India was so insanely, laughably ignorant. So one-dimensional. It was like someone who went to India once and swears they now ooze worldly. Descriptions like "gyrating like red devils," "frenzy," "looked like they were in ecstasy," and several other hellish comparisons. In this book their dancing was "primitive ballet. Their beliefs were "superstitions." If you tried a kind soul's food you were described as brave. Sara and her crew were so against giving to any beggars that asked below the mountain, when her group's climb was funded by the government! Not seeing this double-standard acknowledged irritated me. It also suffered from the whole "describing people of color in great detail, but not describing white people at all" trope. You know, because we're supposed to assume everyone is white until proven otherwise.
Now on to what I enjoyed. This entire text reads like a poem- I mean the ENTIRE thing. A lot of the times, I found myself not even being able to picture what I just read because I was paying so much attention to the music of the words. It was an extremely satisfying read in that way (I enjoy rhythm and sound the most in poetry, not particularly imagery). Not being able to picture it was something I was able to get away with as well- Because knowing exactly how climbing gear is put on/together, and knowing exactly what items they had, was not necessary for this book. I usually underline when I find a line of a book particularly satisfying, but in this case, I would've been underlining the entire book. The poetry of it is really what got me through the giant chunks of un-needed.
Also, WHY IS CLIMBING GEAR DESCRIBED IN SUCH DETAIL, FOR PAGES AND PAGES, WITH BARELY ANY PARAGRAPH SEPARATION, BUT THE MOUNTAIN/ THE VIEW FROM THE TOP IS BARELY EVEN 1/8 OF THE PAGE? Make it make sense.
Anyway, I also enjoyed the action at the end whole-heartedly. It had me on the edge of my seat, and I enjoyed the way this book would switch point-of-views so effortlessly, and the timing was extremely satisfying! The ending was fascinating as well. I wonder how (spoilers) feels about how far they made it, and I wonder what happened after the end of the book (to the main characters, I mean)(there is an epilogue which is equally as thought-provoking). You will be gagged- I guarantee!
This book was a 1-star for the first 3/4 of the book. Upgraded to 3-stars in the end, because near the end, I could not put it down. I really did not think it would do such a 180! I wish it hadn't dwelled so pointlessly in the beginning. It wasn't even a proper set-up, either. There were just so many pointless aspects of it.
There was potential.
I did thoroughly enjoy parts near the end, but the vocabulary throughout the book is so unnecessarily advanced in the most mundane moments (which were ferociously frequent) that I cannot find it unsurprising that people were putting this down immediately. I haven't turned to a dictionary this much since reading Homestuck - It felt like a joke. I couldn't help but make a connection between the redundancy of the focus on India's caste system, and the try-hard word choice. It was as if the book itself was attempting to gatekeep itself from me like a climber protecting their place on a mountain - the same entitlement, attempting a faux caste system forced upon those who pick up the text.
Speaking of, the depiction of the people of India was so insanely, laughably ignorant. So one-dimensional. It was like someone who went to India once and swears they now ooze worldly. Descriptions like "gyrating like red devils," "frenzy," "looked like they were in ecstasy," and several other hellish comparisons. In this book their dancing was "primitive ballet. Their beliefs were "superstitions." If you tried a kind soul's food you were described as brave. Sara and her crew were so against giving to any beggars that asked below the mountain, when her group's climb was funded by the government! Not seeing this double-standard acknowledged irritated me. It also suffered from the whole "describing people of color in great detail, but not describing white people at all" trope. You know, because we're supposed to assume everyone is white until proven otherwise.
Now on to what I enjoyed. This entire text reads like a poem- I mean the ENTIRE thing. A lot of the times, I found myself not even being able to picture what I just read because I was paying so much attention to the music of the words. It was an extremely satisfying read in that way (I enjoy rhythm and sound the most in poetry, not particularly imagery). Not being able to picture it was something I was able to get away with as well- Because knowing exactly how climbing gear is put on/together, and knowing exactly what items they had, was not necessary for this book. I usually underline when I find a line of a book particularly satisfying, but in this case, I would've been underlining the entire book. The poetry of it is really what got me through the giant chunks of un-needed.
Also, WHY IS CLIMBING GEAR DESCRIBED IN SUCH DETAIL, FOR PAGES AND PAGES, WITH BARELY ANY PARAGRAPH SEPARATION, BUT THE MOUNTAIN/ THE VIEW FROM THE TOP IS BARELY EVEN 1/8 OF THE PAGE? Make it make sense.
Anyway, I also enjoyed the action at the end whole-heartedly. It had me on the edge of my seat, and I enjoyed the way this book would switch point-of-views so effortlessly, and the timing was extremely satisfying! The ending was fascinating as well. I wonder how (spoilers) feels about how far they made it, and I wonder what happened after the end of the book (to the main characters, I mean)(there is an epilogue which is equally as thought-provoking). You will be gagged- I guarantee!
This book was a 1-star for the first 3/4 of the book. Upgraded to 3-stars in the end, because near the end, I could not put it down. I really did not think it would do such a 180! I wish it hadn't dwelled so pointlessly in the beginning. It wasn't even a proper set-up, either. There were just so many pointless aspects of it.
There was potential.
April 9, 2018
Thank you Net Galley for the free ARC.
First off, I love mountain climbing books because the motivation of the characters is always intense and sometimes dangerously delusional. I also love books that are written in gorgeous English. Then combine the two and I am a happy reader.
In this book, obviously written with much thought, knowledge and research, a party of mountaineers tries to climb the mysterious mountain Sarasvati in the Himalayas. Sara - named after the mountain and the goddess, wants to climb it because this is where her mother died. Wilder, an expert climber, is still haunted by the death of his brother. All in the party have a motive for being there.
Right from the start things do not go well. The sherpas accuse some in the party for not honoring the mountain and refuse to carry on. Hillary makes a misstep and has to return with a broken ankle before they even leave the gorge. There are slides and avalanches. Will anybody make it to the top and more importantly, return alive?
First off, I love mountain climbing books because the motivation of the characters is always intense and sometimes dangerously delusional. I also love books that are written in gorgeous English. Then combine the two and I am a happy reader.
In this book, obviously written with much thought, knowledge and research, a party of mountaineers tries to climb the mysterious mountain Sarasvati in the Himalayas. Sara - named after the mountain and the goddess, wants to climb it because this is where her mother died. Wilder, an expert climber, is still haunted by the death of his brother. All in the party have a motive for being there.
Right from the start things do not go well. The sherpas accuse some in the party for not honoring the mountain and refuse to carry on. Hillary makes a misstep and has to return with a broken ankle before they even leave the gorge. There are slides and avalanches. Will anybody make it to the top and more importantly, return alive?
August 3, 2018
As someone who takes a vested interest in climbing and all things mountaineering, I was very excited to read this title. The depictions of the mountain, the work done on it and all of the technicalities were extremely interesting to me. However, I can see how if I were not someone who was interested in this sport, this book might become tedious at times. The narrative follows Sara Troy, whose mother perished in an attempt on Sarasvati, a mountain in the Himalaya. I enjoyed the character development and the arc of the relationships between these characters but I finished the book feeling like I wanted more. I felt as though there were tales left to tell and things left undone at the end of the book, however the writing itself was magical and the story very powerful.
This ebook was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This ebook was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 12, 2019
A somewhat elliptical novel on the power, majesty and mystery of climbing. What drives people who climb very high peaks? What happens with so little oxygen? Sarasvisti "Sarah" Troy loses her mother as a young child in a climbing accident -- not buckled in, on purpose or because of lack of oxygen? -- and decides to climb her namesake mountain for her birthday. With an elite group of climbers, the party sets out. On the journey, people battle accidents, altitude, their inner demons; those who do return are (presumably) altered by the experience.
A meditation on climbing and what drives people to it, there is more unsaid than said.
A meditation on climbing and what drives people to it, there is more unsaid than said.
May 23, 2019
I struggled through this. If it were not centered around climbing a mountain - Mount Saraswati in India - I would have not only lost interest but stopped long before reaching the end. While there is a graceful flow and interesting insights into personal motivations and struggles, the story is also at times simplistic. Things got more interesting for me as the group of six climbers moved up the mountain and the struggles became real and eventually deadly.
November 5, 2018
I am glad I was reading this book and not participating in the expedition. Some parts were so unnerving I had to skim a little. I'm not sure it clarified the question of why some people want to climb mountains of this extreme (1 in 10 die???) but it was a good read. If you are not a wilderness person though, it might be a little tedious.
July 3, 2019
This book has a wonderful account of physical and emotional survival. However there are so many mountain climbing terms that are unfamiliar to me that in many instances seemed pretentious. The author also likes to turn nouns into verbs and adjectives, and this trend also seems overly contrived here.
November 15, 2019
This may be the most boring book about climbing I have ever encountered. I don't know how much was the audiobook narration and how much was the text itself, but the entire book felt flat. What seemed to be an attempt at poetic, lyrical language came across as a whole lot of words telling far too little of a story. Which is too bad, because the general plotline had potential.
January 11, 2019
There is a lot packed into this “shorter” book. I’d personally love to see it on a big screen to compare it, perhaps look at the story itself in a different way. It read...mournfully...if that makes sense. Not a feel good story but enlightening, nonetheless.
November 1, 2021
Great descriptions of both the practical and spiritual sides of mountain climbing. I'm not planning to ever climb anything like Mysterium but after reading this book I think I have a pretty good idea of what it would be like.
October 5, 2018
Loved the climbing and adventure, but not as much the actual story. Interestingly written- sort of poetic and philosophical. Didn’t love the ending. Odd book.
October 17, 2018
Did not finish it - very slow
April 16, 2019
Masterful and enthralling!
October 23, 2019
Good read
The book takes you through the complex experiences of high altitude climbing in a story that always keeps you wondering what is on the next page.
The book takes you through the complex experiences of high altitude climbing in a story that always keeps you wondering what is on the next page.
November 25, 2019
love a Mountain Book but this was overwritten and a little underwhelming
May 22, 2021
After one chapter, I lost interest so skipped chunks until the group started their climb. Too wordy for me.
September 3, 2018
Maybe 2.5 stars
February 5, 2019
I hate giving books low rating but two stars it is.
The story is beautifully written and there is poetry in the work, but when I have to work at the meaning it's just not worth it. I am sure that readers who have a modicum of climbing knowledge, a philosophical bent, and good vocab would find the story easier going.
Nice cover though 😁 and grateful for the map!
The story is beautifully written and there is poetry in the work, but when I have to work at the meaning it's just not worth it. I am sure that readers who have a modicum of climbing knowledge, a philosophical bent, and good vocab would find the story easier going.
Nice cover though 😁 and grateful for the map!
July 23, 2024
DNF. Was a mistake to pick up. Picked up because of the cover. Did not like the writing style at all. Was way too technical for rock climbing.
August 15, 2018
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and all opinions are my own. Exciting and heart pounding are two words that I would use to describe this wonderful book. Susan takes you along with her on her adventure and you feel as if you are there with her. If you love books about adversity, adventures and heart pounding excitement pick up this book because you will definitely enjoy it as much as I did. Happy reading! #Mysterium #NetGalley
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