Book Review: A Change in Altitude by Anita Shreve

Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009

Book Review: A Change in Altitude by Anita Shreve

altitude Author: Anita Shreve

Publisher: Little Brown/Hachette

ISBN #: 978-0-316-02070-1

Type: Fiction

Pages: 320 Pages Hardcover

Publish Date: September 22, 2009

Website: http://www.anitashreve.com/

Purchase: $10.20 (HERE)

The Story

mountkenya “Margaret and Patrick have been married just a few months when they set off on what they hope will be a great adventure-a year living in Kenya. Margaret quickly realizes there is a great deal she doesn’t know about the complex mores of her new home, and about her own husband.

A British couple invites the newlyweds to join on a climbing expedition to Mount Kenya, and they eagerly agree. But during their harrowing ascent, a horrific accident occurs. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Margaret struggles to understand what happened on the mountain and how these events have transformed her and her marriage, perhaps forever.”

(Excerpt is from www.anitashreve.com)

My Thoughts…

shreve_anita_author Interestingly enough, Anita Shreve actually lived in Kenya from 1975-1978. This is the same time as the setting of this novel. In addition, like Margaret and Patrick, Shreve once faced the incredible feat of climbing Mount Kenya. (*yes, she made it to the top!*) As you can well imagine, with the author’s first hand experience of the culture, region, and its inhabitants of Kenya, this novel was destined to deliver a vivid experience for its readers. And, it did just that for me!

This novel somewhat reminds me of The Sun Also Rises by Hemmingway in that a good portion of the novel is spent on the setting and its characters. However, I believe that Shreve delivers more action and adventure in the story line of this novel. Our heroine, Margaret, has several obstacles that she faces, not only in her climb of Mount Kenya, but also in her young marraige to Patrick. Unfortunately, she doesn’t pass all of the tests with flying colors. However, what Margaret does accomplish is learning a considerable amount about herself.

As much as I thoroughly enjoyed A Change in Altitude, the one thing I am still unsettled about is its ending.

The Rating

This is my first experience with Anita Shreve’s work. I did win a copy of Testimony that I am looking forward to cracking open soon! My opinion of her her work is that she is a very gifted author with the ability to tell a descriptive, meaningful story. On Sher’s “Out of Ten Scale,” I am giving A Change In Altitude a rating of 8.5 out of 10.

If you are a fan of Anita Shreve’s, you can check out her wondeful website HERE and become a fan on Facebook HERE. I was VERY impressed with the website… the stories, pictures, resources on her books, etc.!

Giving Thanks

My heartfelt thanks to the publisher for presenting me with the opportunity review this adventurous novel.

12 Comments

| Posted in Books Books Books

12 Responses

Jenny

September 23rd, 2009 at 5:00 am

I’m glad it was good. Her work is different but I usually like her books. I am waiting to see any of the several contests I won and if not then I’ll go buy it, hehe. =)
.-= Jenny´s last blog ..Waiting on Wednesday =-.
Jo-Jo

September 23rd, 2009 at 7:01 am

I really enjoy Shreve’s work so I’m glad you liked this one Sheri. Thanks for the review.
.-= Jo-Jo´s last blog ..Wondrous Words Wednesday-Sept. 23 =-.
Kathy

September 23rd, 2009 at 8:09 am

Oh wow, I can’t wait to read this one now! I didn’t realize it’s set in Kenya.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Wondrous Words Wednesday =-.
Anna

September 23rd, 2009 at 10:56 am

I love Anita Shreve, so you can bet I’ll be reading this soon!
.-= Anna´s last blog ..NIGHT OF FLAMES by Douglas W. Jacobson =-.
Hilary

September 23rd, 2009 at 12:56 pm

I read Light On Snow. It was “ok”, but definitely not a favorite. What I did like about that book in particular was the subtleties of humor in the characters. The way in which you describe this book kinda makes me want to give her a second chance!
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..Passionate About Having A Passion =-.
Laura's Reviews

September 23rd, 2009 at 12:56 pm

I love Shreve and have read all of her novels. This sounds like another good one – I can’t wait to read it!
.-= Laura’s Reviews´s last blog ..Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury =-.
StephanieD

September 23rd, 2009 at 1:12 pm

I like Shreve’s novels as well; her endings are never never straightforward where everything is wrapped up and the characters ride off to the sunset. They are realistic.
.-= StephanieD´s last blog ..You so wanna win this! =-.
Natalie

September 25th, 2009 at 8:41 am

This one sounds like an awesome read. I’m adding it to my list.
.-= Natalie´s last blog ..A Book Bloggers New Discovery =-.
Kailana

September 25th, 2009 at 6:27 pm

My very first Anita Shreve novel was Fortune’s Rock. I loved it! Unfortunately, while I have read several of her books since I have never been able to love her books as much as I loved that one. I was looking at this book the other day at the bookstore, but I think she has became a ‘library’ author. It’s sad. That’s not to say I haven’t enjoyed other books by her, but there was just no comparison!
.-= Kailana´s last blog ..Book Discussion – Book Covers =-.
Literate Housewife

September 30th, 2009 at 6:30 am

I don’t think I’ve ever read a novel that takes place in Kenya and this sounds really interesting. I’ve only read one of Shreve’s books before – Light on Snow. I loved it. I’ll have to pick this and Testimony up as well.
.-= Literate Housewife´s last blog ..#201 ~ Her Fearful Symmetry =-.
Nicole

October 5th, 2009 at 3:24 am

I had held off on reading your review until I read the books and I definitely agree with you about Anita Shreve knowing how to tell a meaningful story. Glad that you liked it. I really enjoyed it as well.
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..The Year That Was September 2009 =-.
Karen

April 9th, 2010 at 1:23 pm

I have read most of the books by Shreve and have enjoyed them. I assumed I would enjoy A Change In Altitude also. I hated this book. From the beginning every character seemed so odd and unlikeable. For Margret to be blamed as the cause of Diana’s death is outrageous. What husband would EVER treat his wife as Patrick treated Margaret right after the climb? Seriously? Why the second climb? Why did Patrick get so angry at her on the second climb? Stupid.. The ending left me feeling cheated.