Fiction Addict

Genre: Drama, Romance

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Publication Date: September 22, 2009

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Anita Shreve’s previous novels explore the complexity of human relationships and the deeper end of emotions that everyone shares. Her latest novel, A Change in Altitude is no different. Throughout the book Shreve explores the question of whether a marriage can survive misunderstandings wrapped around tragedy.

Margaret and Patrick have a young marriage full of hope and dreams when they move to Africa. They quickly discover that the human aspects of 1970’s Africa are as untamed and unruly as the wildlife itself. Robberies, rape, attacks and a misunderstood political society all confront Margaret in a very short time, making it difficult for her to acclimate to this new life she’s chosen.

When it’s decided that Patrick and Margaret should join some other couples in climbing Mount Kenya, Margaret isn’t interested in the adventure, but she chooses to go along with it so that she can be with her husband. As they hear about all of the dangers and difficulties involved in the climb, Margaret remains unsure of the trip but continues in preparations anyway.

Then tragedy beyond comprehension strikes and Margaret must learn more about herself and her life than she ever believed possible. How does she move on? CAN you move on in the face of something like this?

Shreve does not shy away from the hard topics in this novel. As she explores marriage, friendships, internal struggles and the alienation of a foreign land, she plumbs the difficult paths that many refuse to acknowledge in their writing.  Sometimes this makes it difficult to read. A few times I was tempted to put it down and give myself a break from Margaret’s thoughts. In fact I did do that a few times. But the journey, though difficult, was as many things are in life, a beautiful one. Africa was far more than just a setting in the book. It was a character, many times more three dimensional and full of life than some of the other human characters in the book.

Reminiscent of  “Out of Africa” and even making a few references to Karen Blixen herself, the book is a journey of not only self discovery but life discovery. It’s a journey that works as any other good journey does.  It leaves you changed when you reach the end.