Simon Mawer
Paperback | Pages: 442 pages Rating: 4 | 1275 Users | 144 Reviews
Define Regarding Books The Fall
| Title | : | The Fall |
| Author | : | Simon Mawer |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | Deluxe Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 442 pages |
| Published | : | April 1st 2004 by Little, Brown Young Readers (first published 2003) |
| Categories | : | Fiction. Literary Fiction. Mountaineering. Climbing. European Literature. British Literature |
Relation As Books The Fall
Exceptionally wise and well crafted, this beautiful and sorrow filled story of personal as well as physical struggles on the ever present mountain slopes, tracks two generations of intermingled love affairs.The novel begins with the dramatic event of its title, with a famed and accomplished middle-aged mountain climber, falling from a Welsh cliff. (A route he should have never been climbing by himself). He leaves behind a widow, a former, now estranged best friend and the baffling question of why he would be climbing such challenging route without ropes.
The question of whether the veteran climber has indeed orchestrated his ultimate fall is a question that carries through most of the narrative.
Mawer’s portrayal of the complex intricacies between the main characters overflow with unbelievable despair but also with a tremendous amount of exhilaration. Although there are moments where the novel is decelerated by the characters apparent indolence, Mawer manages to deliver a novel that is both energized and vertiginous and though some might find the mountain-climbing descriptions to occasionally overwhelm the narrative, I believe they generally help strengthen and push the novel to its inevitable conclusion.
Declare Books In Favor Of The Fall
| Original Title: | The Fall |
| ISBN: | 0349116520 (ISBN13: 9780349116525) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Characters: | Ruth Jansen, Diana (goddess), Rob Dewar, Jamie Matthewson, Guy Matthewson, Meg "Caroline" |
| Literary Awards: | Boardman Tasker Prize for Mountain Literature (2003) |
Rating Regarding Books The Fall
Ratings: 4 From 1275 Users | 144 ReviewsArticle Regarding Books The Fall
An enjoyable read though there were moments towards the end which felt a tad mawkish. There were terrific descriptions of mountain climbing, especially the parts set on the North Face of the Eiger. Its a good story well told though Im a bit embarrassed to think Ive just read a book about what is essentially a forty year romance, not usually my genre.The novel begins with a death that takes the narrator, Rob Dewar, back through time to uncover the enigma who was his friend and climbing partner, Jamie. It also cleverly weaves in the stories of Rob's and Jamie's mothers during WWII. I know nothing of climbing, so the detailed descriptions of hanging off ledges and scrambling across rock faces to avoid becoming so much scree were fascinating. Mawer kept the technical jargon to a minimum and conveyed the addicting nature of defying death to
I find books of this quality all too rare. Usually there are many good ideas and well presented ideas but then a denouement that leaves me flat. The Fall has an intriguing story, likable characters in interesting situations, and a fine ending twist (that isn't totally unexpected, though).If it seems all too convenient how characters meet in the past, I would bear in mind that there is truly no other way: Wherever you are is where and when you meet people. Your future grows out of that.I highly
Exceptionally wise and well crafted, this beautiful and sorrow filled story of personal as well as physical struggles on the ever present mountain slopes, tracks two generations of intermingled love affairs. The novel begins with the dramatic event of its title, with a famed and accomplished middle-aged mountain climber, falling from a Welsh cliff. (A route he should have never been climbing by himself). He leaves behind a widow, a former, now estranged best friend and the baffling question of
A few weeks ago, I heard a story on the radio about a man who deliberately killed himself by climbing to the top of his favorite New England peak, sitting down, and letting himself die of hypothermia. This radio story was always at the back of my mind during my reading of The Fall, by Simon Mawer. Two significant supporting characters in Mr. Mawer's book also died while mountain-climbing, in circumstances that made me question -- throughout the entire fairly suspenseful book, up until the very
This is just the type of book I love- powerfully written historical/literary fiction with complex characters, depth, and powerful themes. I loved reading this book, but at times it made me deeply sad. I can't remember the last time I felt as sorry for a character as I do Jamie, so it was a difficult read.
I really like the way Simon Mawer writes. I loved Mawer's newest book, The Glass Room, and so I wanted to go back to read earlier books written by him. To be able to be transported into a novel set in a milieu in which I have no knowledge or interest (mountain climbing) and make it breathtaking is a gift from a skilled writer. I have read so many books where I skim through page after page of boring and gratuitous information just to get to the story, but not here.
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