Above All Things

The 1924 British Mount Everest expedition forms the core of this debut novel, which follows both George Mallory's final attempt to reach the summit and his wife Ruth's day back home in Cambridge. Through alternating timelines, the narrative tracks the parallel journeys of husband and wife on June 6, 1924. The mountain sections detail Mallory and his climbing partner Sandy Irvine's push toward the peak, incorporating historical records and imagined scenes of their ascent. Base camp politics, extreme weather conditions, and the physical toll of high-altitude climbing create mounting tension throughout their journey. Meanwhile in England, Ruth Mallory moves through a single day of teaching, socializing, and caring for their three children while wrestling with her complex feelings about her husband's obsession with Everest. The novel examines marriage, ambition, and sacrifice through the lens of one of mountaineering's most enduring mysteries. Marriage and mountains become parallel challenges in this story about the cost of dreams and the competing pulls of personal achievement and family bonds. Through its dual narratives, the book raises questions about what drives humans to attempt seemingly impossible feats.

Readers appreciate the detailed historical research and parallel storytelling between George Mallory's Everest expedition and his wife Ruth's life in Cambridge. Many note the vivid descriptions of mountain climbing conditions and the emotional depth of the characters' relationship. Positive reviews highlight: - The visceral depiction of climbing challenges - Ruth's perspective adding emotional weight - Strong character development - Quality of prose in nature descriptions Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in the first third - Too much focus on physical hardships - Some found Ruth's sections less compelling - Historical liberties taken with certain details Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (3,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (180+ ratings) One reader noted: "The mountain scenes put you right there on the ice with them." Another commented: "Ruth's story felt like an afterthought compared to the climbing sections." BookBrowse readers gave it 4.4/5, with 92% recommending it to others.

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🏔️ Author Tanis Rideout spent years researching George Mallory's life, including visiting Everest Base Camp herself to better understand the environment she would write about. ⚡ The novel weaves together two parallel narratives: George Mallory's final attempt to summit Mount Everest in 1924 and his wife Ruth's single day at home in Cambridge as she awaits news of the expedition. 🗺️ George Mallory's body was discovered on Everest in 1999, 75 years after his disappearance, with a photograph of his wife Ruth that he had promised to place at the summit. 📝 The book's title "Above All Things" comes from George Mallory's famous response when asked why he wanted to climb Everest: "Because it's there." He considered the mountain "above all things" in both literal and metaphorical terms. 💌 Many of the letters and conversations in the novel are based on actual correspondence between George and Ruth Mallory, which the author studied extensively in archives at Cambridge University.