Thursday, December 21, 2017

The Mountain Between Us - Book Review

The Mountain Between Us - Book Review
In every life, there are mountains to be crossed.  For some, those mountains are physical.  In other cases, the challenges are emotional or relational.  For Ashley and Ben, in The Mountain Between Us, those mountains come in all three forms.  On the surface, their story appears to be one of wilderness survival, but as we delve deeper, we will see that it is really about crossing over into your own truth after braving the storms of life.

As the story begins, Ashley Knox, a magazine writer, and Ben Payne, a surgeon, are about to be stranded in Salt Lake City as all flights are being shut down by a massive storm system.  Ashley is desperate to get home for her wedding, while Ben has surgeries to perform.  Given the situation, the only option left to them is to charter a private flight around the line of growing storms.  The plan is to fly to Denver while there is still the possibility of making it home.

Mid-flight to Denver, their pilot has a heart attack and makes a crash landing in one of the most remote and rugged areas of the country (the High Uintas Wilderness of Utah).  To make matters worse, a flight plan was not required, so no one knows the whereabouts of these three passengers (or even that Ashley and Ben got on that plane).

Now, with their pilot dead, and Ashley seriously injured, Ben must figure out a way to keep both of them alive.  Stranded at a very high elevation in the midst of winter storms, without food or other necessary provisions, the odds are not good for them to make it.  Without hope of a search and rescue operation, their bleak situation will cause both Ashley and Ben to reflect on the things that matter most in life.  During their odyssey of searching for a way to survive, both will discover what it means to truly live and love.

There are many things I liked about this book.  First, I must admit that I am really into wilderness survival stories.  There is just something about rising up above your circumstances, no matter how bleak, that speaks to me.  Nobody survives a devastating accident without being changed in critical ways.  It is the story of that transformation that greatly appeals to me.  I think, too, that it is impossible not to insert yourself into the situation to reflect on how you would handle things, or be changed by such life-altering circumstances.  One of the things I enjoyed most about the story is how Ben uses the few things available to him in a MacGyver fashion.  It was interesting to see how he came up with creative solutions to daunting challenges.  In a life-or-death situation, I would want Ben Payne by my side.

I appreciate how author Charles Martin tells a story.  He makes me care about his characters and they become real to me.  Though this book has been newly released as a movie, I'm glad I chose to read the book first.  The reviews for The Mountain Between Us, in book form, are much better than those for the movie.  It seems that many moviegoers felt a disconnect between the two leading actors.  That is so different from what you will experience about the connection between Ashley and Ben in the book.  The two become very bonded, though neither character violates any promises made to spouse or fiance during their time together in the wilderness.

This is a good book to read during the holiday season.  It reminds us that love conquers all and that we can each climb and cross any mountain that rises up in our lives.





Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


13 comments:

  1. I like stories of survival, too, Diana. The Mountain Between Us sounds like a really good book to read. Thank you for your most interesting review.

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  2. Thanks for visiting my review and commenting, Pat. Maybe one day I will write my own book about survival. If so, you'll be the first to get a review copy.

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  3. Oh my another book to put on my growing list of books to read. Thank goodness I managed to hook up my library card the other day. Will go and see if this one is available and will read it for sure. My kind of story and hopefully with an ending that will leave my mind to ponder!

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    1. Aren't library cards the key to the kingdom? Glad you were able to put this book on hold. Let me know what you think after you read The Mountain Between Us. Enjoy!

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  4. In my opinion, books are often better than the film version, at least where the story line is concerned. It sounds to me like it would pretty much rip the heart out of the plot if the two actors didn't connect well in the movie. As far the the book itself, I would suspect it would be a very unique bound between two people who fight together to survive. Not every great bond requires a romantic element.

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    1. I always like the book better than the movie version. The movie reviews reveal a lack of chemistry between the lead actors. There is a good chemistry between Ashley and Ben in the book, and without offering up a spoiler, there is an element of romance at some point in their journey.

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  5. Thanks for the review. This will go on my to-read list.

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    1. Hope you enjoy The Mountain Between Us. I've read several books by Charles Martin and have always appreciated the importance of the themes he addresses (and how he presents the things that matter). I am in alignment with his style of writing and with his values. I'm thinking it will resonate with you, also. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Appreciated!

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  6. What an awesome book review. I had seen the movie trailers and it was one of the few movies recently that I wanted to go see. But I procrastinate. And I'm glad I did with such a recommendation for the book. Adding it to my list!

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    1. I think in this case you will want to read the book first. Hope you enjoy it. Good to see you here.

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  7. I'd always rather read a book than see a movie, so I'm glad the book is better. It sounds like an exciting and meaningful book. I'll put it on my list, too. It's probably much better than the Kindle First book I choose this month that I didn't like at all.

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    1. I've had a hard time finding a Kindle First selection that appeals to me lately. So, I'm sure this book was the better choice.

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  8. I agree that one of the best part of this book is the fact that "The two become very bonded, though neither character violates any promises made to spouse or fiance during their time together in the wilderness."
    I absolutely loved the book. I got the book from my local Library on CD's. I am on the waiting list for the movie from the Library. I really like Kate Winslet and I imagine she will be well for the part of Ashley. I am upset that like with most movies the movie makers have to change things from the book. The book is fine the way it is. They did not have to change that! Oh well... I will view the movie with the book in mind and dismiss their changes. Thank you for this review and I loved the book. I will have to read it again!

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