It is a stunning achievement that Tanis Rideout should write such a polished, captivating, gorgeous novel, made even more remarkable by the fact this is her first published novel. From the subtle opening hook to the shattering last paragraph, Above All Things sated my appetite for impeccably crafted fiction.

Above All Things is a rich historical novel which recounts George Mallory's epic assent of Mount Everest, an alpine feat which still begs controversy and speculation. That Rideout should choose this event to spin into fiction required intimate knowledge of the period, the culture, and the particulars of mountain climbing. What is even more remarkable than her stellar research is the fact she chose to tell this story from three characters' perspectives (George Mallory, Ruth Mallory -- his wife-- and Andrew 'Sandy' Irvine who was the youngest member of the alpine expedition.)

George and Sandy's narratives are told on the mountain and often slide into remembrance. Ruth's narrative, the main narrative, is told in the present, over the course of one day, that terrible day she received news her husband was presumed dead on Everest. The counterpoint between what has in fact occurred in the past, and what Ruth is waiting to learn in the present, creates subtle tension and an implacable sense of dire inevitability, especially for anyone who knows Mallory's tragic story. And Rideout does this with such utter ease there is no sense of dislocation or loss of the story arc.

Her characterization of these legendary figures is real and immediate, very believable, so that you rage against the fates as you're swept along through her gorgeous and precise prose. That last paragraph, in particular, left me utterly shattered. It is written with such a stark and beautiful metaphor. And yes, you're going to have to go and read it yourself in order to experience the genius of this novel.

Above All Things is absolutely a must-read. ( )

"Is this what it was all for? All the sacrifice?...They all paid the price for you... What was it all for, again?"
By sally tarbox on 5 July 2017

A very moving portrayal of George Mallory's ill-fated 1924 attempt to climb Everest. In alternate chapters we follow Mallory and his team - taking his leave from his family, the journey by ship to India and the gradual ascent, the building of camps, the sherpas, the perishing cold, lack of oxygen and incipient hypothermia - and Mallory's wife Ruth, at home in Cambridge with her children and friends, as she muses over their relationship, waits for the next letter and must deal with the wider world, all eager for the latest on this adventure...

"He heard his brain cells dying from the lack of oxygen. From the cold. Each of them ended with an audible pop, his mind bubbling like champagne. His lungs filled with fluid."

The author does an excellent job at maintaining a narrative that's all about snow, ice and suffering. The story builds to a crescendo as the obsessed George and his keen young colleague, Sandy Irvine, make a last, reckless attempt on the summit... ( )

I enjoyed this historical novel about the first efforts to climb Mt. Everest. Describing especially the technical aspects of the venture in that time, Ms. Rideout did an exceptional job. In bringing out the character of the participants, I also thought she did well, though I did not like many of them, as I suspect I would not have liked those egos in real life. Best was her sense of place. ( )

Some time ego, I’ve seen a documentary about a British businessman who had enough money to hire a personal guide to Mount Everest. He died not far from the summit after he had reached it. His guide was not resolute enough to call the attempt hopeless and force his client to return while there was still time. The guide survived but lost parts of his limbs to frostbite. If we could ask the businessman would he say that reaching the summit was worth his life?
This book Above is about George Mallory’s attempt to be the first at the same summit. He died on the mountain, most likely before reaching the summit, on a relatively good weather day that would give him an opportunity to call the attempt hopeless in time. He didn’t quit and led himself and his climbing partner to the certain death. How much will and ego are needed to do such a thing? Is achieving fame worth the risk of death? Do you need to reach the summit, any summit, to prove something? Isn’t the joy of travelling there enough? Are such extreme endeavors worth endangering other people? ( )

Great book. I loved it. Highly recommended!