Alto Risco

by Matt Dickinson

also:
- Júlia e Romeu / Jeanne Ray
- Estação Seca / Peter Robinson
- O Espelho de Prata / Richard Paul Evans

Genres: Fiction, Thriller

575 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[DJ_Keyser · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve been eating up Everest-set alpine adventures of recent, and I’m pleased to report that Matt Dickinson’s novel is a solid effort in this niche genre. It’s within the climbing passages that the author really thrives, although I was impressed that the elements of human drama were as effective as they ultimately were, because that kind of stuff usually turns my nose up. Dickinson doesn’t quite have the same literary chops as Dan Simmons demonstrated in the gargantuan Abominable, but I found High Risk to be a compelling read nonetheless.

[Venkateswara Rao Gidugu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book quite accidentally. I was browsing the books available at a second hand book sales shop at Vijayawada, India. The title " High Risk" with a helicopter beaming light focusing downwards drew my curiosity to hold the book and flip through the pages. I read the author's name "Matt Dickinson" ,first time.The inside cover page, depicted him with a charming smile and with the climbing accessories on his shoulder. The summary on the first page gave brief overview about the content. Matt himself being an adventurous mountain climber and producer of many TV serials on adventurous expeditions, I thought of reading the book. I bought it at a very rock bottom price of a dollar!
The book is divided into 3 major sections .

Part1 : It is named " The power of Nature".

It narrated the main characters Mr Hal, Miss Rachel; Mr Sabastian and Mrs.Josie .How Hal met Rachel and they lived together at Alaska and together faced a great catastrophic Avalanche. After that disastrous event, they start to recoup their physical and emotional injuries slowly.
The love story of Josie and Sabastian is narrated briefly. Mr.Sabastian leaves for Mount Everest,leaving Mrs.Sabastian(Josie) behind to look after his TV business to her.During the expedition to the summit, Sabastian leaves his last breath , even before reaching the summit.
Josie was into depression.
Part2:The Siren call

Josie meets Deborah, the widow of Rick the guide , who died during the expedition to Everest along with Sabastian. The idea of fixing a name plate of Sabastian and others, who lost their lives during the expedition, made Josie to persuade Hal to take her to the base camp to do the job of fixing the plate there.
Josie was still dissatisfied .
Part 3; the Summit fever.

Hal accepts the request of Deborah ,to trace the dead bodies of Rack and Sabastian, to come out of law suits of survivors of the deceased during the expedition.The idea is to prove that Rack risked his life till his last breath to save his clients.
Josie and Hal embark the expedition , along with a young Sherpa,Nima. Nima treats Hal just like his father. His father died in another expedition led by Hal.But ,Hal takes care of his family.
The climax is real nail biter. The reader feels ,How arduous the Everest expedition is. The High altitude ,low oxygen levels in air and the freezing ice make the expedition a night mare to the characters as wall as the readers. I paused a while , and drew a long breath of air , as Josie struggled for oxygen , on her way to the summit. The author narrated the horrifying details , all out of his own experience.
My heart felt all condolences to Hal , who was abandoned alive by Josie and Nima in very compelling circumstances. However,she felt rejoiced as Hal was traced near camp four .Hal para glides down out of sheer luck, as he uses the equipment left by Sabastian .
After completing the book, I was in the hangover for quite some hours.
I conclude that the book is a must read, who love adventures .

Kudos to Matt !!

[James Marinero · Rating 4 out of 5]

My reading these days is based on serendipity - I'll read what I can find in the marina's library (actually the launderette). Such a lucky dip approach leads to discovering new authors and themes I would usually not pursue - such as mountaineering.

I'm a sea-man myself and mountains never did much for me. However, this book was a great read, informed by the knowledge and experience of an author who has actually walked-the-walk - or should I say, climbed-the-climb?

I guess the only downside was coincidence. Too many major coincidences reduce credibility, and this was borderline for me.

For me, there was just enough science and natural phenomena to keep me interested and learning new things. The descriptions of high mountain vistas also made me wonder what it must be like to stand atop the world's highest peak - that was intriguing and beyond my body's capability now.

A good thriller, sure to satisfy those who enjoy crampons a la mont.

6.5/10 on my own rating system.

[Michaëla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has emerged my will to climb a mountain one day. I hadn't read a book neither heard of Matt Dickinson before, what a shame. I'm looking forward to read more books written by him.

[Tamue · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books ever. Of course it's not made for a literature noble prize, but it's easy to read, has romantic and moving passages and adventure as well. I love it.