Claustrophobic and interesting but far fetched

Given there's only two real characters in this novel, author Charles Martin does a not bad job developing their roles.

The story surrounds Dr Ben Payne and writer Ashley Knox, who get caught up in a plane crash in the remote icy mountains of the High Uintas Wilderness. Both quite seriously injured, they attempt to battle all odds to survive.

Although the setting is well laid out, the actual plot and dialogue is slightly hyperbolic, and the long-winded explanations of love are rather sappy. The female characters are written as if swooning at Dr Payne's every beck and call. So while the novel began as a gripping survivalist plot, it falls into a wishy washy romance trap and ultimately ends up on the ash heap of almost good stories.

2 people found this helpful

So annoying...

So far I've only made it half way through this book and am finding my teeth grinding constantly with the aggrevation. I just find the protagonist so unbearable- the way he talks to and about the two women (his wife and the one he's been in the crash with) is so pandering and patronising, like they are these exotic and surprisingly brilliant creatures who (despite being only women...) are so courageous. He (the protagonist) also has a ridiculous skill set- he's a doctor, a mountaineer, a hunter... come on. Maybe it's just me, but this is such drivel- if you're a woman (like me) steer clear, the annoying "heroics" will have your teeth grinding to nubs in no time!

1 person found this helpful

Loved it!

It gripped me all the way through. Would they both survive or not? I had hoped they would but there was that chance they wouldn't. A chance meeting on a snowy night, leads them to analyse their lives as the characters try to survive. The summary does give a clear picture of the story, so I won't
go over that, but it is the ending that surprised me. I never expected that, though there are hints to it along the way you realise afterwards.
What I am disappointed with is after reading the synopsis of the film... a fantastic book story is totally changed in the film, even down to character names. I was so looking forward to the film but now feel I don't want to watch it as I'll be saying too often that wasn't in the book.

1 person found this helpful

Impressive and moving

I had watched the movie before I knew about the book. A moving story of loss and resistance. Thank you.

Worth listening to.

it was a moving book. So different to the film. I enjoyed it. my only reservation is John Chancer's reading of Ashley she sounded inauthentic wheras Ben was spot on.

Disappointing

After really enjoying the film I thought I'd listen to the book.
Now, I know the book is always different to the film but this was something else entirely.
The women are portrayed as whining childlike idiots. They are always asking childish questions and expecting men to know everything and solve all problems.
I found this very disappointing and at times offensive.
The narration is terrible, the voice he uses for the women is as I said whining and childlike.
The men are portrayed as all giving, caring, problem solving heros.
I don't often review books but felt I must as the writing and the narration were so shockingly out of touch with reality.
I cannot recommend this book

Wow what a tear jerker

I never thought the last few chapters would reveal such a massive part of the story.
I was hooked from start to finish, can’t wait to watch the film now. Highly recommend

A must read

This is a beautiful story. I laughed, I cried i couldn't stop listening. A story full of hope. I will listen again and again.

brilliant and deeply romantic....

easy listening, with beautiful progression. nothin tenuous or difficult, while still rich and complex. stirs that 'quiet place where dreams exist'

unexpected ending.

worth a read or listen. I really enjoyed and am now looking forward to watching the film.