- Jeffrey Archer -
This novel, based on the true story of George Mallory's attempts to be the first man to reach the summit of Mount Everest, is a departure for Jeffrey Archer.
Archer's books have typically been set in the field of politics or business, with well developed characters and strong rivalries.
In this case, I never felt like I got to know George Mallory particularly well - he loved to climb and was motivated to be the first up Everest. Apart from that, the character felt very cookie cutter.
The stakes of the story felt fairly low too - despite knowing what a physical ordeal the climbers are going through, the fact that the prologue (and history) has already told us how the story ends, means that I was reluctant, and uninspired to, get particularly emotionally involved in the story.
Overall, the entire book felt shallow and underdeveloped. I think when constrained by the realities of real people and the history of what happened to them, Archer found himself boxed in and unable to create the kinds of situations and stakes that usually make his novels so engrossing.
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