Haunting
The Mountain Story
Lori Lansens
Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 9781471138003
Description:
From New York Times bestselling author Lori Lansens comes a harrowing survival story about four strangers who spend five days lost in the mountain wilderness above Palm Springs.
Four go up the mountain, but only three will come down;
On the morning of Wolf Truly’s eighteenth birthday, he boards the first cable car to head up the mountains just a few miles from his sun-bleached trailer home in the desert community outside of Palm Springs. Armed with nothing but the clothes on his back, Wolf’s intention that morning was to give up on life; specifically at the mountain site of his best friend’s tragic accident one year ago. But on that shaky ride up the mountain, fate intervenes and Wolf meets three women that will leave an indelible imprint on the rest of his life. Through a series of missteps, the four wind up lost and stranded among the forested cliffs; in sight of the desert city below, but unable to find a way down.
As the days pass without rescue, we come to learn how each of them came to be on the mountain that morning. And as their situation shifts from misadventure to nightmare, the lost hikers forge an inextricable bond, pushing themselves, and each other, beyond their limits.
Reminiscent of John Krakauer’s modern classic Into the Wild and Cheryl Strayed’s bestselling Oprah-endorsed Wild, Lori Lansen’s The Mountain Story is a deeply affecting novel that pays homage to the rugged beauty and utterly unforgiving nature of the wilderness, and considers the question: What price are you willing to pay not only for the ones you love, but for a complete stranger?
My View:
I first became acquainted with this novel when I discovered a book trailer on the web – I was intrigued by the story and by the voice of the narrator. Several more “teasers” were released – I loved listening to these, the setting are so realistic, the narrators voice stayed with me as I read the book, the hand held video camera style of shooting are perfect in instilling a sense of mystery and isolation. The final sound – a lonesome bird call – is eerie. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYt10aAE0-W24LiSYLqF8rTixae_rnvqC
The book was a must to read.
And I was not disappointed! I loved the writing style – effectively a father is writing a letter to his son sharing a story so emotional he cannot voice the words out loud; poignant, effective and times heart breaking such is the back story of Wolf’s upbringing that you cannot help but be affected by this drama. The author jumps between past and present – telling us Wolf’s family history and how he ended up on the mountain blending in scenes from what is happening on the mountain to the stranded hikers. It is an awesome, exciting tale – the Mountain another character cast in this drama. Mystery, fear, sadness, heroism and redemption of sorts…a great mystery set in an awe inspiring location. Listen and you can hear the crows, look up and you can see the carrion birds flying up above you.
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher.
Reading, Writing and Riesling 
What a fascinating and compelling premise for a novel, Carol! And it sounds as though the story is told well, too (ie. writing style). And the nature element must add a lit, too. Glad you enjoyed
I loved it Margot – did you listen to the trailers that narrator is mesmerising?
Oh, I agree, Carol! What a great advertisement!
I think this promotional tool was fantastic Margot – footage had that “hand Held” immediacy and personal, the setting is obvious and stays with you as you read and I loved the voice of the narrator . This sold me on reading the book.
This pounds a lot better than I expected. I think I thought it was going to be a bit too much like non-fiction!
Nope fiction all the way Deb
It does sound like an emotional read Carol. The use of trailers is interesting as well. I wonder how well they worked because there are mixed reviews on that subject.
Rebecca I think these particular trailers work well…I cant comment about too many others – I have only seen a few but they are becoming more prevalent. I think this one works week because you only hear the narrator’s voice – you don’t see his face so you can still “fit” your own mental image of the protagonist/ narrator, the trailer shows the setting really well and gives a sense of the atmosphere. These sold me on the book and I wasn’t disappointed.