From the author of "Where the River Ends," comes this page-turning story of love and survival. On a stormy winter night, two strangers wait for a flight at the Salt Lake City airport. Ashley Knox is an attractive, successful writer, who is flying East for her much anticipated wedding. Dr. Ben Payne has just wrapped up a medical conference and is also eager to get back East for a slate of surgeries he has scheduled for the following day. When the last outgoing flight is cancelled due to a broken de-icer and a forthcoming ...
Read More
From the author of "Where the River Ends," comes this page-turning story of love and survival. On a stormy winter night, two strangers wait for a flight at the Salt Lake City airport. Ashley Knox is an attractive, successful writer, who is flying East for her much anticipated wedding. Dr. Ben Payne has just wrapped up a medical conference and is also eager to get back East for a slate of surgeries he has scheduled for the following day. When the last outgoing flight is cancelled due to a broken de-icer and a forthcoming storm, Ben finds a charter plane that can take him around the storm and drop him in Denver to catch a connection. And when the pilot says the single engine prop plane can fit one more, if barely, Ben offers the seat to Ashley knowing that she needs to get back just as urgently. And then the unthinkable happens. The pilot has a heart attack mid-flight and the plane crashes into the High Uintas Wilderness-- one of the largest stretches of harsh and remote land in the United States. Ben, who has broken ribs and Ashley, who suffers a terrible leg fracture, along with the pilot's dog, are faced with an incredibly harrowing battle to survive. Fortunately, Ben is a medical professional and avid climber (and in a lucky break, has his gear from a climb earlier in the week). With little hope for rescue, he must nurse Ashley back to health and figure out how they are going to get off the mountain, where the temperature hovers in the teens. Meanwhile, Ashley soon realizes that the very private Ben has some serious emotional wounds to heal as well. He explains to Ashley that he is separated from his beloved wife, but in a long standing tradition, he faithfully records messages for her on his voice recorder reflecting on their love affair. As Ashley eavesdrops on Ben's tender words to his estranged wife she comes to fear that when it comes to her own love story, she's just settling. And what's more: she begins to realize that the man she is really attracted to, the man she may love, is Ben. As the days on the mountains become weeks, their survival become increasingly perilous. How will they make it out of the wilderness and if they do, how will this experience change them forever? Both a tender and page-turning read, "The Mountain Between Us" will reaffirm your belief in the power of love to sustain us. "From the Hardcover edition.""
Read Less
We used this book as a book club read. As usual, Charles Martin does an excellent job. The story keeps your attention, draws you into the lives of the characters and holds a surprise or two. A very good book, right up there with When Crickets Cry by the same author.
KeikiHendrix
Mar 25, 2011
Review of The Mountain Between Us
"Another thought-provoking, drama driven novel from Charles Martin."
Having read several of Charles Martin books (Wrapped in Rain, Chasing Fireflies, When Crickets Cry, and The Dead Don't Dance), I purchased this book before I even read the back cover or storyline.
There are a few authors that I can trust like that.
The Mountain Between Us is story of survival and surrender, of dying and avoiding death, and finally of hope and healing.
Ben Payne is a kind but reserved orthopedic surgeon returning from a medical conference. Ashley Knox is a no-nonsense freelance columnist on her way home to Atlanta. She is getting married in two days. Their flight gets cancelled due to weather.
With fond memories of his own wedding, Ben kindly offers Ashley a seat on a chartered flight. How could they know their pilot was only a few hours from a heart attack? Both Ben and Ashley (and the pilots dog named Tank/Napoleon) survive when the small plane crashes in the Uintas mountains of Utah, as remote a place as you can be on the planet.
The lives of the characters are unveiled as bits and pieces throughout the novel, except for the pilot whose wisdom is revealed in just a few scenes. In the end, these bits and pieces contribute to a unique and poignant drama.
A moving portrayal of character, integrity, and loyalty even in the face of harsh and life threatening circumstances. My favorite portions were the narratives of Ben messages to his wife. These messages form a parallel storyline that will intrigue you from the first page to the last.
All of Charles Martin's book carry a certain unique quality; rich insights into personalities and characteristics, beautiful scenery and landscapes, and a moving and inspiring messages. Pick this one up and settle in for a while, I highly recommend this one.
Reviewed by: Keiki Hendrix
Reviewed for: The Vessel Project
