Book Reviews of A Change in Altitude

A Change in Altitude, the newest novel from master author Anita Shreve, offers another glimpse into love, commitment, and the search for self. Following a tragic accident in Kenya , Margaret is forced to reevaluate herself, her marriage, even her understanding of life. While beautifully written, the story fails to fully engage the reader. It feels tired and worn, and with just a change of the setting and the characters' names, this could be one of a number of her novels. A Change in Altitude is classic Shreve, but I can’t help but feel I’ve read this story before.

All of us have defining moments in our lives, moments that can change the direction we are traveling in small or large ways. Sometimes we notice those moments and sometimes we don't. And sometimes those moments are so monumental, that they are almost impossible to find a way through them at all. This is the story that Anita Shreve has woven; one woman, one man, one moment and their struggle to find a way through that moment.

This is a quiet story, a tender story, a thoughtful story, not one to rush through. It will not keep you up at night to see who done it, but it will seep into your heart and you will remember those moments in your life that changed you, that turned your path.

This book was a huge disappointment. I no longer want to read her books. African names ,words in African language etc.

HUGE WASTE OF TIME!



! used to love her books - no longer

Anita Shreve is one of my favorite authors. However I was a bit disappointed in this one. For the first half of the book, it seemed the story dragged. Thankfully, I held on because it did get better in the last half. I think part of my problem was that Margaret was as bland as her name (My apologies to those with that name!) I found it hard to not only relate to her, but feel a kinship her to her (which normally makes for a good story for me)

Another good read by Anita Shreve! You are hooked from chapter one as you follow the lives to a married couple living overseas. A little sad at times, but you are hooked as you watch the characters progress.

Margaret, the main character, spends the this book trying to figure out how much of what happens around her she is responsible for. After following her new husband from the US to Africa for his medical career, she finds herself involved in Africa in ways she did not anticipate. The book is bookended with Margaret's two climbs of Mt. Kenya, and it is during these climbs that she finds herself face-to-face with the struggle of how much guilt to take on and how much responsibility actors must assume. As the conflicts between guilt and responsibility circle in ever larger orbits throughout the book, the reader can't help but think about how freeing it is to believe, as the mountain guide tells us to, that "Stupid people do stupid things, and sometimes they have only themselves to blame."

Decent little book. Quick read. Not one of Anite Shreve's best books ever, but decent. I liked it, but didn't love it. 3 out of 5 stars for me.