The theme of personal redemption through a dangerous and possibly foolhardy physical task was what drew me in in the firs book I read by Paul Watkins, In the Blue Light of African Dreams. It is back here, with mountain climbing replacing flying but both in the very early versions and both very hazardous indeed, I did find the lead up to the ascent of Carton's Rock a bit long and possibly full of extra details but once the mountain climbing started, it really got into full swing. Watkins is a fantastic writer, there are moments of prose that are just luminous but the narrative structure creaked and showed the strain at times. Still, well worth the read. And now I have read al of his published work. I might have to read them all again.

This is an odd book for me...I thought it would be so much more, and then it lets me down in places.

And yet, I keep thinking about it and have gone back to re-read it. The confrontations between some of the characters aren't believable, but the description of climbing and the scenes on the glacier, along with some quieter scenes of the academic life of a teacher, stay with me. Watkins can write some really good scenes, and others disappoint. Uneven, but worth a read. ( )

Not one of Watlins' best but still worth the read. This book started very slow but definitely grew on me. A very interesting tale of a survivors struggle with the demons of his past. ( )

Avery good story as always from an excellent author. ( )

William Bromley is a World War II veteran living in 1950's London. In the war, he led a mountaineering expedition that ended disastrously. He has never moved past this and started living again. He's just existing--teaching school, admiring the secretary from a distance, spending Friday evenings with his one friend, and visiting his father on school breaks. There's nothing exciting in his life and that's the way he likes it. Notably, he has also completely given up mountain climbing. Then something changes and he is left wondering if his life is really enough and does he have the courage to start truly living his life again?

I enjoyed this. The story itself was very well-written and easy to read. The pacing was good and the way that things were slowly explained really worked. Probably the best part was that within this very straightforward story, the author manages to explore big themes like man vs. nature, the nature of friendship among men, and what war can still do to those lucky enough to survive. In other words, it works on many levels. If you want a simple adventure story, that's in here. If you want something to chew over and think about for a while, that's in here too.

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