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The Top of the Hill
"The world famous author of Rich Man, Poor Man and Beggarman, Thief has created one of his most memorable characters for one of his most unusual novels; a brilliantly written story of a man who needs to risk death to feel fully alive, a man who turns away from a comfortable, outwardly successful life toward dangerous pleasures. Michael Storr's joy comes from physical danger as a parachutist, a surfer, a hang glider, a free faller, a reckless skier. Oppressed by his life in New York City, he feels choked by his career as an executive in a high powered office as an executive in a high powered office, choked by the airless world of air conditioned towers. His own sanity depends on his finding a purer, simpler, more vigorous existence, and he sets out to search for one, even though he loses his wife in the process. He finds the physical excitement he craves but along with it developments he has not contempated. For some of the personal relationships in which he becomes entangled prove as threatening as the most dangerous of his sports. The Top of the hill promises to be not only another best seller but another of Irwin Shaw's landmarks. It is filled with scense that only a master novelist and lifelong athlete could give us scenes that rank with the most exciting he has ever written." This exerpt is taken from the dust jacket.
346 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 1979
11 people are currently reading
323 people want to read
About the author
Irwin Shaw
263 books424 followersShaw was born Irwin Gilbert Shamforoff in the South Bronx, New York City, to Russian Jewish immigrants. Shaw was a prolific American playwright, screenwriter, novelist, and short-story author whose written works have sold more than 14 million copies. He is best known for his novels, The Young Lions (1948) and Rich Man Poor Man (1970).
His parents were Rose and Will. His younger brother, David Shaw (died 2007), became a noted Hollywood producer. Shortly after Irwin's birth, the Shamforoffs moved to Brooklyn. Irwin changed his surname upon entering college. He spent most of his youth in Brooklyn, where he graduated from Brooklyn College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1934.
Shaw began screenwriting in 1935 at the age of 21, and scripted for several radio shows, including Dick Tracy, The Gumps and Studio One.
Shaw's first play, Bury the Dead (1936) was an expressionist drama about a group of soldiers killed in a battle who refuse to be buried. During the 1940s, Shaw wrote for a number of films, including Talk of the Town (a comedy about civil liberties), The Commandos Strike at Dawn (based on a C.S. Forester story about commandos in occupied Norway) and Easy Living (about a football player unable to enter the game due to a medical condition). Shaw married Marian Edwards. They had one son, Adam Shaw, born in 1950, himself a writer of magazine articles and non-fiction.
Shaw enlisted in the U.S. Army and was a warrant officer during World War II.He served with an Army documentary film unit. The Young Lions, Shaw's first novel, was published in 1949. Based on his experiences in Europe during the war, the novel was very successful and was adapted into a 1958 film.
Shaw's second novel, The Troubled Air, chronicling the rise of McCarthyism, was published in 1951. He was among those who signed a petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review the John Howard Lawson and Dalton Trumbo convictions for contempt of Congress, resulting from hearings by the House Committee on Un-American Activities. Falsely accused of being a communist by the Red Channels publication, Shaw was placed on the Hollywood blacklist by the movie studio bosses. In 1951 he left the United States and went to Europe, where he lived for 25 years, mostly in Paris and Switzerland. He later claimed that the blacklist "only glancingly bruised" his career. During the 1950s he wrote several more screenplays, including Desire Under the Elms (based on Eugene O'Neill's play) and Fire Down Below (about a tramp boat in the Caribbean).
While living in Europe, Shaw wrote more bestselling books, notably Lucy Crown (1956), Two Weeks in Another Town (1960), Rich Man, Poor Man (1970) (for which he would later write a less successful sequel entitled Beggarman, Thief) and Evening in Byzantium (made into a 1978 TV movie). Rich Man, Poor Man was adapted into a highly successful ABC television miniseries in 1976.
His novel Top of the Hill, about the Winter Olympics at Lake Placid in 1980, was made into a TV movie, starring Wayne Rogers, Adrienne Barbeau, and Sonny Bono.
His last two novels were Bread Upon the Waters (1981) and Acceptable Losses (1982).
Shaw died in Davos, Switzerland on May 16, 1984, aged 71, after undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.
His parents were Rose and Will. His younger brother, David Shaw (died 2007), became a noted Hollywood producer. Shortly after Irwin's birth, the Shamforoffs moved to Brooklyn. Irwin changed his surname upon entering college. He spent most of his youth in Brooklyn, where he graduated from Brooklyn College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1934.
Shaw began screenwriting in 1935 at the age of 21, and scripted for several radio shows, including Dick Tracy, The Gumps and Studio One.
Shaw's first play, Bury the Dead (1936) was an expressionist drama about a group of soldiers killed in a battle who refuse to be buried. During the 1940s, Shaw wrote for a number of films, including Talk of the Town (a comedy about civil liberties), The Commandos Strike at Dawn (based on a C.S. Forester story about commandos in occupied Norway) and Easy Living (about a football player unable to enter the game due to a medical condition). Shaw married Marian Edwards. They had one son, Adam Shaw, born in 1950, himself a writer of magazine articles and non-fiction.
Shaw enlisted in the U.S. Army and was a warrant officer during World War II.He served with an Army documentary film unit. The Young Lions, Shaw's first novel, was published in 1949. Based on his experiences in Europe during the war, the novel was very successful and was adapted into a 1958 film.
Shaw's second novel, The Troubled Air, chronicling the rise of McCarthyism, was published in 1951. He was among those who signed a petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review the John Howard Lawson and Dalton Trumbo convictions for contempt of Congress, resulting from hearings by the House Committee on Un-American Activities. Falsely accused of being a communist by the Red Channels publication, Shaw was placed on the Hollywood blacklist by the movie studio bosses. In 1951 he left the United States and went to Europe, where he lived for 25 years, mostly in Paris and Switzerland. He later claimed that the blacklist "only glancingly bruised" his career. During the 1950s he wrote several more screenplays, including Desire Under the Elms (based on Eugene O'Neill's play) and Fire Down Below (about a tramp boat in the Caribbean).
While living in Europe, Shaw wrote more bestselling books, notably Lucy Crown (1956), Two Weeks in Another Town (1960), Rich Man, Poor Man (1970) (for which he would later write a less successful sequel entitled Beggarman, Thief) and Evening in Byzantium (made into a 1978 TV movie). Rich Man, Poor Man was adapted into a highly successful ABC television miniseries in 1976.
His novel Top of the Hill, about the Winter Olympics at Lake Placid in 1980, was made into a TV movie, starring Wayne Rogers, Adrienne Barbeau, and Sonny Bono.
His last two novels were Bread Upon the Waters (1981) and Acceptable Losses (1982).
Shaw died in Davos, Switzerland on May 16, 1984, aged 71, after undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
May 5, 2020
The protagonist likes to take chances, whether it be sky diving, hang-gliding, downhill skiing, barroom brawling, or seducing women -- single or married -- makes no difference to him. And he doesn't even have to work at seduction for he is such an attractive individual that women literally cannot resist him.
Sounds exciting, doesn't it? Well, it isn't. In fact, it is a gigantic snooze.
I expected much, much better from the author who wrote one of my favorite WWII novels, "The Young Lions." What a disappointment.
Sounds exciting, doesn't it? Well, it isn't. In fact, it is a gigantic snooze.
I expected much, much better from the author who wrote one of my favorite WWII novels, "The Young Lions." What a disappointment.
February 25, 2016
Превратностите на живота
(Цялото ревю е тук: http://knijenpetar.blogspot.bg/2016/0...)
Ъруин Шоу е известен писател, но и той е писал произведения, които бледнеят пред някои от шедьоврите му. „Бледнеят“ е силна дума, но и тя е част от кариерата на всеки добър автор. Тук обаче името е достатъчно ярко, за да се намести любопитството като причина да се изчете и „Спускане от върха“ („Бард“, 2015, с превод на Мак Станчев и Милица Капричева). Работата е там, че точно тази книга ме грабна и завлече във вече далечните ми спомени за „Богат, беден“, „Просяк, крадец“, „Младите лъвове“, „Хляб по водите“ и останалите по-известни книги на Шоу. Един ден ще ги прочета отново, и дори ще пиша за тях в блога. Сега трябва да се съсредоточа върху тази.
Може да се каже, че „Спускане от върха“ е лека и неангажираща, от онези тихи и спокойни книги, с които човек може да разпусне, без да се натоварва с философски притчи, сложна конструкция и очакване за вълни от емоции. Самият роман е като пътуване с ясна цел: въвличане в личния живот на един земен и съвсем обикновен герой, започнал живота си с обичайните трудности на израстването и постоянното търсене на разрешение на проблемите си. Шоу акцентира на логичното, делничното и човешкото, изгражда ярък и деликатен образ на мъж, ръководен изцяло от американската ценностна система. В началото дори ми се стори прекалено блед и недействителен, сякаш е просто един от милиони, а не централен образ в романа. Но именно по този начин Шоу се скрива от натрапчивостта на баналните романи, бълвани с хиляди и разказващи за все едни и същи „разтърсващи“ душата общочовешки истории. Запознаването с Майкъл Стор става постепенно и ненатрапчиво, докато самият читател не почувства, че е свидетел на реалното и естественото, далеч от „насилствено“ измъкнатите от небитието купища приключения, които изкуствено да натягат атмосферата на романа. И все пак Майкъл Стор е тук именно за да се почувства жив, както пише на самата корица. И Шоу не го разочарова. (Продължава в блога: http://knijenpetar.blogspot.bg/2016/0...)
(Цялото ревю е тук: http://knijenpetar.blogspot.bg/2016/0...)
Ъруин Шоу е известен писател, но и той е писал произведения, които бледнеят пред някои от шедьоврите му. „Бледнеят“ е силна дума, но и тя е част от кариерата на всеки добър автор. Тук обаче името е достатъчно ярко, за да се намести любопитството като причина да се изчете и „Спускане от върха“ („Бард“, 2015, с превод на Мак Станчев и Милица Капричева). Работата е там, че точно тази книга ме грабна и завлече във вече далечните ми спомени за „Богат, беден“, „Просяк, крадец“, „Младите лъвове“, „Хляб по водите“ и останалите по-известни книги на Шоу. Един ден ще ги прочета отново, и дори ще пиша за тях в блога. Сега трябва да се съсредоточа върху тази.
Може да се каже, че „Спускане от върха“ е лека и неангажираща, от онези тихи и спокойни книги, с които човек може да разпусне, без да се натоварва с философски притчи, сложна конструкция и очакване за вълни от емоции. Самият роман е като пътуване с ясна цел: въвличане в личния живот на един земен и съвсем обикновен герой, започнал живота си с обичайните трудности на израстването и постоянното търсене на разрешение на проблемите си. Шоу акцентира на логичното, делничното и човешкото, изгражда ярък и деликатен образ на мъж, ръководен изцяло от американската ценностна система. В началото дори ми се стори прекалено блед и недействителен, сякаш е просто един от милиони, а не централен образ в романа. Но именно по този начин Шоу се скрива от натрапчивостта на баналните романи, бълвани с хиляди и разказващи за все едни и същи „разтърсващи“ душата общочовешки истории. Запознаването с Майкъл Стор става постепенно и ненатрапчиво, докато самият читател не почувства, че е свидетел на реалното и естественото, далеч от „насилствено“ измъкнатите от небитието купища приключения, които изкуствено да натягат атмосферата на романа. И все пак Майкъл Стор е тук именно за да се почувства жив, както пише на самата корица. И Шоу не го разочарова. (Продължава в блога: http://knijenpetar.blogspot.bg/2016/0...)
December 31, 2012
I've begun to realize that Shaw's later novels lack the details and quality of his earlier ones. The Top of The Hill just seems all around lazy. Nothing profound ever occurs. Shaw provides his readers with a simple story with a few key characters whose bourgeois lives are interrupted. All the characters are cold and depressed. The only character that seems genuinely happy is Rita, the youngest one. Perhaps that's saying something though.
I find it strange that Shaw separated this novel into 3 volumes as it's only about 350 pages and the divisions in story don't amount to much. I'm also truly surprised to learn that this book was actually made into a television movie. I assume that the script writers took great liberty with the story as there wasn't much to work with.
I find it strange that Shaw separated this novel into 3 volumes as it's only about 350 pages and the divisions in story don't amount to much. I'm also truly surprised to learn that this book was actually made into a television movie. I assume that the script writers took great liberty with the story as there wasn't much to work with.
April 6, 2023
The Top of the Hill is a readable book and I am always engaged in Irwin Shaw’s story telling, his quick wit and his directness. Mike Stone is a successful handsome young man, a risk taker who likes new adventures but underestimates the hazards and of things going badly. His marriage ended and he quit his job and headed for the hills to become devoted to a terminally ill man.
February 20, 2019
Can a man who has flings with dozens of adoring women, lives recklessly, and drinks like a fish, be a dullard? Yes.
October 20, 2019
Boring... what more can I say??
August 31, 2015
This book is one of my favorites, I really did enjoy every single page.Irwin Shaw is indeed a great story teller. Memorable characters, a brilliant story full of excitement and inspiration about a man who had to die several times before he can really live, a man who had invisible chains all around him and tried to get ride of them by living dangerously up in the air, among brutal waves, and on the top of the hill. This is the first Irwin Shaw book I've ever read and it will certainly not be the last.
June 28, 2014
Read the book 4 times since 1981 and it's traveled many miles with me. Saw the mini series and it's hard not to see a young Wayne Rogers when visualizing Michael. As I approached 30, I truly identified with the character and the phrase "the Philistine in me is in full retreat"
March 17, 2013
Really lovely book. My father gave me this. Loved all the descriptions and the simple story itself.
December 23, 2020
Игра демиурга
Герои многих книг Ирвина Шоу живут в мире закрытых частных школ, больших городов, беззаботной юности, интересных профессий, дорогих развлечений и красивых людей. И были они смуглые и золотоглазые, ага. Но, разумеется, если внимательно присмотреться, то за красивой картинкой скрываются обычные человеческие проблемы.
У Майкла Сторза было скучное детство под гиперопекой мамы, которая запрещала ему бегать, плавать, драться с мальчишками и т.д., потому что отец Майкла погиб, разнимая драку в баре. Мальчик был умный, хорошо учился и успешно научился скрывать от матери своё увлечение горными лыжами. Со временем такое детство аукнулось тем, что Майкл превратился в любителя острых ощущений и экстремальных развлечений: горы, сёрфинг, женщины, большая скорость, прыжки с парашютом, полеты на дельтаплане. Такая постоянная тяга к адреналину не нашла понимания у жены Майкла, которая в медовый месяц стала свидетелем легкой травмы мужа на горнолыжном курорте, а потом на ее глазах разбился один из парашютистов, выполняя вместе с Майклом затяжной прыжок. Разногласия супругов продолжались не один год, каждый жил своей жизнью, но после одного случая Майкл решил уехать в небольшой городок в горах Вермонта, где он студентом подрабатывал инструктором по горным лыжам, чтобы подумать о жизни и сделать кое-какие выводы.
Простая, в общем-то, история о простых истинах "не в деньгах счастье" и "счастье рядом, только оглянись", но как же ярко и живо она рассказана. Вместе с Майклом ты работаешь в небоскребе Нью-Йорка, едешь на "порше", переживаешь паническую атаку, тонешь, летишь на лыжах с горы и завороженно наблюдаешь за тихим снегопадом. Но в определенный момент становится жутко, когда видишь, как играючи Майкл вмешивается в жизни других людей и иногда меняет их навсегда, но сам этого не осознает. Впечатление от книги подпортил странный перевод ("плавание со скубой", "пойду замкну машину", "преступник с белым воротничком", "нож-прыгунок"), но автор здесь не при чём. Но именно автор придумал, что все мужчины в книге умные, импозантные и смелые, а женщины красивенькие, глупенькие, и прощают мужчине всё-всё, стоит только сказать:"у тебя такое доброе и великодушное сердце". В мою картину мира это как-то не вписывается.
Герои многих книг Ирвина Шоу живут в мире закрытых частных школ, больших городов, беззаботной юности, интересных профессий, дорогих развлечений и красивых людей. И были они смуглые и золотоглазые, ага. Но, разумеется, если внимательно присмотреться, то за красивой картинкой скрываются обычные человеческие проблемы.
У Майкла Сторза было скучное детство под гиперопекой мамы, которая запрещала ему бегать, плавать, драться с мальчишками и т.д., потому что отец Майкла погиб, разнимая драку в баре. Мальчик был умный, хорошо учился и успешно научился скрывать от матери своё увлечение горными лыжами. Со временем такое детство аукнулось тем, что Майкл превратился в любителя острых ощущений и экстремальных развлечений: горы, сёрфинг, женщины, большая скорость, прыжки с парашютом, полеты на дельтаплане. Такая постоянная тяга к адреналину не нашла понимания у жены Майкла, которая в медовый месяц стала свидетелем легкой травмы мужа на горнолыжном курорте, а потом на ее глазах разбился один из парашютистов, выполняя вместе с Майклом затяжной прыжок. Разногласия супругов продолжались не один год, каждый жил своей жизнью, но после одного случая Майкл решил уехать в небольшой городок в горах Вермонта, где он студентом подрабатывал инструктором по горным лыжам, чтобы подумать о жизни и сделать кое-какие выводы.
Простая, в общем-то, история о простых истинах "не в деньгах счастье" и "счастье рядом, только оглянись", но как же ярко и живо она рассказана. Вместе с Майклом ты работаешь в небоскребе Нью-Йорка, едешь на "порше", переживаешь паническую атаку, тонешь, летишь на лыжах с горы и завороженно наблюдаешь за тихим снегопадом. Но в определенный момент становится жутко, когда видишь, как играючи Майкл вмешивается в жизни других людей и иногда меняет их навсегда, но сам этого не осознает. Впечатление от книги подпортил странный перевод ("плавание со скубой", "пойду замкну машину", "преступник с белым воротничком", "нож-прыгунок"), но автор здесь не при чём. Но именно автор придумал, что все мужчины в книге умные, импозантные и смелые, а женщины красивенькие, глупенькие, и прощают мужчине всё-всё, стоит только сказать:"у тебя такое доброе и великодушное сердце". В мою картину мира это как-то не вписывается.
April 13, 2017
A book on self-discovery...a good read.
September 24, 2019
The Top of the Hill is full of thrills and adventure,skiing,skydiving,hang gliding and sheer recklessness.
August 10, 2025
Po „Wieczorze w Bizancjum”, który kiedyś bardzo mi się spodobał, przyszła kolej na powieść „Szus” popularnego amerykańskiego dramatopisarza, scenarzysty i powieściopisarza Irwina Shawa (właśc. Irwin Gilbert Shamforoff 1913-1984). Jak zwykle z tytułem polskiego wydania jest heca, gdyż tytuł oryginału brzmi „The Top of The Hill”. Żeby było śmieszniej, było wcześniejsze polskie wydanie „Dosięgnąć szczytu”, lecz jak się okazało, w kraju Zulu-Gula ta wersja za bardzo przypominała oryginalną, więc ktoś musiał pokazać co potrafi. Jak to śpiewał Młynarski o tym, że tyle jeszcze jest do spieprzenia, a będzie więcej?
O czym jest „Szus”? Sądząc po internetowych wynurzeniach o wrażeniach czytelniczych powiedziałbym, że większość odbiorców ślizga się jeno po powierzchni tej powieści. Fakt, jest to obyczajówka. Fakt, protagonista uprawia, jak byśmy to dziś powiedzieli, sporty ekstremalne, i w ogóle szuka wszelkich okazji, by ryzykować i pokazać wszystkim, że jest lepszy, najlepszy. Ale widać, że czytanie ze zrozumieniem nie jest mocną stroną dzisiejszego odbiorcy jeśli tylko to zrozumienie nie leży na samym wierzchu, jeśli jest głębiej ukryte. Wielokrotnie główny bohater ryzykuje najbardziej wtedy właśnie, gdy nie ma żadnej widowni, gdy nikt „nie zaliczy” mu wyczynu. Interpretacje więc, że napędza go ego, to bzdury. To po prostu określony typ człowieka, który zasmakował w czymś więcej niż prosta adrenalina, którego nie ciągnie dzisiaj tak powszechne zaliczanie wyzwań, atrakcji i chwalenie się tym. Mistrzostwo prozy Shawa (i tłumacza: Małgorzata Róg-Świostek) przejawia się w tym wyjaśnieniu siły, która napędza głównego bohatera i pcha go do ryzyka:
„Euforia (…). Już nawet to słowo, samo to słowo przejmuje dreszczem. To słowo ze świata natury, nawet nie przyszłoby panu do głowy, żeby użyć go do opisania czegoś, co mogłoby się panu przydarzyć w nowoczesnym mieście. Może radość, ekstaza, ale nigdy euforia. Euforia jest słowem, które wymaga ciszy.”
Poezja! Oczywiście, gdy się praktykuje szybkie czytanie, nie ma co marzyć, by coś z piękna takiego języka i głębi myśli do nas dotarło. I idą kolejne komentarze, że o narciarstwie, że o górach…
Zakończenie też bardzo interesujące. Pokrywa się zarówno ze starą prawdą, iż ludzie rzadko się zmieniają, a jeśli już, to raczej na gorsze, jak i z tym, że poważne zmiany na ogół nie dzieją się same z siebie; z reguły gdzieś jest przyczyna, zdarzenie, mniej lub bardziej uświadomione, które zapoczątkowuje mniej lub bardziej samoświadomą, racjonalizowaną po fakcie rewolucję w osobowości. I z tym, że od każdej prawdy są wyjątki...
Reasumując – przy pobieżnym czytaniu, literatura klasy B, choć doskonała warsztatowo. Przy głębszym wczuciu się – arcydzieło.
źródło: https://klub-aa.blogspot.com
O czym jest „Szus”? Sądząc po internetowych wynurzeniach o wrażeniach czytelniczych powiedziałbym, że większość odbiorców ślizga się jeno po powierzchni tej powieści. Fakt, jest to obyczajówka. Fakt, protagonista uprawia, jak byśmy to dziś powiedzieli, sporty ekstremalne, i w ogóle szuka wszelkich okazji, by ryzykować i pokazać wszystkim, że jest lepszy, najlepszy. Ale widać, że czytanie ze zrozumieniem nie jest mocną stroną dzisiejszego odbiorcy jeśli tylko to zrozumienie nie leży na samym wierzchu, jeśli jest głębiej ukryte. Wielokrotnie główny bohater ryzykuje najbardziej wtedy właśnie, gdy nie ma żadnej widowni, gdy nikt „nie zaliczy” mu wyczynu. Interpretacje więc, że napędza go ego, to bzdury. To po prostu określony typ człowieka, który zasmakował w czymś więcej niż prosta adrenalina, którego nie ciągnie dzisiaj tak powszechne zaliczanie wyzwań, atrakcji i chwalenie się tym. Mistrzostwo prozy Shawa (i tłumacza: Małgorzata Róg-Świostek) przejawia się w tym wyjaśnieniu siły, która napędza głównego bohatera i pcha go do ryzyka:
„Euforia (…). Już nawet to słowo, samo to słowo przejmuje dreszczem. To słowo ze świata natury, nawet nie przyszłoby panu do głowy, żeby użyć go do opisania czegoś, co mogłoby się panu przydarzyć w nowoczesnym mieście. Może radość, ekstaza, ale nigdy euforia. Euforia jest słowem, które wymaga ciszy.”
Poezja! Oczywiście, gdy się praktykuje szybkie czytanie, nie ma co marzyć, by coś z piękna takiego języka i głębi myśli do nas dotarło. I idą kolejne komentarze, że o narciarstwie, że o górach…
Zakończenie też bardzo interesujące. Pokrywa się zarówno ze starą prawdą, iż ludzie rzadko się zmieniają, a jeśli już, to raczej na gorsze, jak i z tym, że poważne zmiany na ogół nie dzieją się same z siebie; z reguły gdzieś jest przyczyna, zdarzenie, mniej lub bardziej uświadomione, które zapoczątkowuje mniej lub bardziej samoświadomą, racjonalizowaną po fakcie rewolucję w osobowości. I z tym, że od każdej prawdy są wyjątki...
Reasumując – przy pobieżnym czytaniu, literatura klasy B, choć doskonała warsztatowo. Przy głębszym wczuciu się – arcydzieło.
źródło: https://klub-aa.blogspot.com
June 23, 2020
Ъруин Шоу никога не ме е разочаровал и продължавам да го смятам за майстор на доброто повествование и добрия сюжет. „Спускане от върха“ е книга точно за мен, както и за любителите на екстремните изживявания, на преминаването отвъд собствените граници, загърбването на ограниченията и живителната сила, която страстта по приключенията и физическото напрежение влива в един дух. Мисля, че напълно разбирам Майкъл Стор и дори се подразних от манията на всички около него да го осъждат непрестанно.
Винаги съм смятала Ъруин Шоу за един изключително мъдър човек, който и този път не пропусна да ме научи на някои истини за живота.
Винаги съм смятала Ъруин Шоу за един изключително мъдър човек, който и този път не пропусна да ме научи на някои истини за живота.
February 18, 2024
I fail to understand why people think this book is boring. It is an interesting read, considering how masterfully, yet subtly, the psyches of the characters are laid out. Especially Michael. Subtle, yet powerful and thought provoking. There was also a sense of dread almost the whole time, as if at any point something bad would happen and I believe that was fully intentional. Yet, without giving it away, the book has a positive ending and I thank mr. Shaw for that.
My next read will be "Two weeks in another town" and I am very excited to compare a later work of his, such as this novel, to one that was written 19 years earlier.
My next read will be "Two weeks in another town" and I am very excited to compare a later work of his, such as this novel, to one that was written 19 years earlier.
October 19, 2024
Man, can Irwin Shaw write a great book!
This is the third book I have read by Shaw, but it won't be the last one. Every book of his has been a superb 5-star book.
In this book, we follow Michael Storr, who has to risk death to feel alive. He eschews his comfortable life in the city for a rural environment on a ski slope. Physical danger is his middle name, whether it be daredevil stunts on the ski slopes, paragliding, parachuting, busting up bar fights, or surfing. But by the end of the book he face death, both his several bouts with near death experiences and those of another person, and learns some valuable life lessons.
Great book! I cannot say enough great things about it.
This is the third book I have read by Shaw, but it won't be the last one. Every book of his has been a superb 5-star book.
In this book, we follow Michael Storr, who has to risk death to feel alive. He eschews his comfortable life in the city for a rural environment on a ski slope. Physical danger is his middle name, whether it be daredevil stunts on the ski slopes, paragliding, parachuting, busting up bar fights, or surfing. But by the end of the book he face death, both his several bouts with near death experiences and those of another person, and learns some valuable life lessons.
Great book! I cannot say enough great things about it.
February 22, 2023
Блин очень неожиданно было, что там всё так замечательно сложится, у всех всё будет хорошо, практически "шрам не болит" лол. Как-то мне всю дорогу по логике происходящего казалось, что должен произойти некий более трагический катарсис, поэтому немного не хватило переживаний. Ещё главный герой какой-то эээ вроде жутко неприятный, а вроде чересчур положительный и хороший. И о господи все эти пассажи про женщин ))))) Ну ладно, примета времени. Понятное дело, никуда без упоминаний вьетнамской войны, шайки коммунистов и проблем нелегальных мигрантов. Вообще так-то любопытно было почитать.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2025
Розповідь про життя фанатіка екстремальних розваг. Читається легко, приємно написано, цікавий герой. Проте
- в якійсь момент ключова сюжетна лінія губиться і хід оповідання стає трохи розмитим і безцільним
- частина персонажів не розкрита глибоко, із мотиви місця і дивні і не завершені
- є відверто необов’язкові лінії та події
В той же час чудово передано життя маленького гірськолижного містечка, переживання і емоції героя та зимова магічна атмосфера. Читати в різдвяні дні дуже доречно. Тому менше за 4 зірки не можу поставити
- в якійсь момент ключова сюжетна лінія губиться і хід оповідання стає трохи розмитим і безцільним
- частина персонажів не розкрита глибоко, із мотиви місця і дивні і не завершені
- є відверто необов’язкові лінії та події
В той же час чудово передано життя маленького гірськолижного містечка, переживання і емоції героя та зимова магічна атмосфера. Читати в різдвяні дні дуже доречно. Тому менше за 4 зірки не можу поставити
April 24, 2023
Bardzo dobrze mi się tę książkę czytało.
Powieść jest świetnym portretem psychologicznym człowieka, który żyje z nieustanną potrzebą udowadniania innym jakim jest odważnym i silnym samcem alfą.
Niestety taka postawa prędzej czy później musi przynieść porażkę.
Dużym plusem jest niezwykłe poczucie humoru które tak lubię w Shaw'a.
Opowieść to czytadło, ale naprawdę dobre w swoim gatunku.
Powieść jest świetnym portretem psychologicznym człowieka, który żyje z nieustanną potrzebą udowadniania innym jakim jest odważnym i silnym samcem alfą.
Niestety taka postawa prędzej czy później musi przynieść porażkę.
Dużym plusem jest niezwykłe poczucie humoru które tak lubię w Shaw'a.
Opowieść to czytadło, ale naprawdę dobre w swoim gatunku.
June 10, 2020
Очень классная книга. Так сильно раскрыть типаж людей с адреналиновой зависимостью - это надо уметь. Раньше был в восторге от Ночного портье, теперь понял, что было большой ошибкой не читать остальные книги Ирвина Шоу.
March 11, 2024
I'm really not sure how to review this one. A man leaves his wife for adventure. The story covers his different adventures and escapades and he learns whether or not it was worth it in the end.
Morally, this book was trash.
Morally, this book was trash.
December 30, 2017
Лека, неангажираща и приятна за четене, особено ако си в някой планински рай, с чаша чай и много сняг.
January 16, 2018
4.5 stars
July 1, 2018
The book was my first meeting with the autor and I am extremely happy to discover his writing. The story is great and I really loved the main character. Recommend it with both hands 🙌
August 1, 2020
Read in 1980. Top shelf novel with sharp characterizations, and insightful dialog.
August 5, 2020
Emotivo, desgarrador, precioso.
April 7, 2023
A good read.
February 25, 2024
Könnyű olvasmány, könnyű elfelejteni
March 25, 2024
Overall an enjoyable read that had the legs to be a longer novel. I’ve read some of his work before and I wouldn’t consider this his best work.
$3 from a Salvos store though….
$3 from a Salvos store though….
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