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courtthebookgirl's review against another edition
5.0
If you only read one memoir in 2022, let it be this one.
But prepare yourself, because this book is anything but easy. Within these pages, we read about loss, death, rape, child sex abuse, emotional trauma, child sex trafficking, discrimination (against LBGTQIA in particular), racism, and so much more. So yes, the topics are tough. But the powerful way Vasquez-Lavado tells her story will keep you breathless and turning the pages.
I picked this book up mostly because I have an obsession with Mt. Everest and books about climbing it. And although this book bounces between chapters on the journey to/on Everest and the author’s life between youth and young adulthood, this is not a “hiking stories” book alone.
The power in the worlds that Vasquez-Lavado uses as she shares the stories not only of her own life - which are haunting- but those of the women she leads to Base Camp as part of her journey on to Everest are palpable. I loved (and sometimes hated, simultaneously) every single page.
This is also a story about mothers, and the parallels between them. I’ll leave it to you to read the book and see them for yourself.
I cried, I raged, and I loved through every bit of this. This memoir will stay with me forever.
But prepare yourself, because this book is anything but easy. Within these pages, we read about loss, death, rape, child sex abuse, emotional trauma, child sex trafficking, discrimination (against LBGTQIA in particular), racism, and so much more. So yes, the topics are tough. But the powerful way Vasquez-Lavado tells her story will keep you breathless and turning the pages.
I picked this book up mostly because I have an obsession with Mt. Everest and books about climbing it. And although this book bounces between chapters on the journey to/on Everest and the author’s life between youth and young adulthood, this is not a “hiking stories” book alone.
The power in the worlds that Vasquez-Lavado uses as she shares the stories not only of her own life - which are haunting- but those of the women she leads to Base Camp as part of her journey on to Everest are palpable. I loved (and sometimes hated, simultaneously) every single page.
This is also a story about mothers, and the parallels between them. I’ll leave it to you to read the book and see them for yourself.
I cried, I raged, and I loved through every bit of this. This memoir will stay with me forever.
missrhinnan's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. It’s rare to find an adventure memoir by a woman, let alone a (queer) woman of color, and I enjoyed this one immensely—especially as narrated by the author in the audiobook.
jenniebran's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
felicityclaire's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
erinmccoyalarcon's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Lavado's memoir moved me to laughter and tears, anger and delight, sorrow and joy. Oscillating between tales of childhood in Peru, childhood sexual trauma, alcohol abuse, discovery and acceptance of sexual identity, and her journey with a group of young women to the base of Everest and her subsequent journey up the tallest mountain in the world, Lavado weaves a beautiful and moving story of self- discovery, acceptance and honor. I have never understood the drive to climb Everest. I still have no desire to do that - I'm content with the 4000 footers in New England. But Lavado's message about Everest or Mother of the Sky, pulling together people from disparate backgrounds, teaching hard and important lessons, and gifting herself to the world, really resonated with me.
annloar1953's review against another edition
2.5
Writing itself was reasonably good. Unfortunately, the narration is very weak and diminished the impact of the audiobook.
ashley_pl's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.25
Very well written reflective memoir. I enjoyed reading about what climbing Mount Everest actually entails. Who would have thought that you have to wait in line at the top of the tallest mountain in the world? Or the cost of just having the opportunity to try. I appreciated the way Sylvia Vasquez-Lavado told her own story and journey. The layout of the book reflecting back on her life and steps throughout this ongoing climb of a lifetime. And I appreciated the way she included the Nepali and Sherpa cultures throughout their journey.
sunpeachedtea's review against another edition
4.0
The audiobook for In the Shadow of the Mountain is read by Vasquez-Lavado herself, and it takes this memoir to the next level. The voice in the book is perfect for audio narration, and listening to Vasquez-Lavado tell her story made for an experience.
My only critique is the question "why mountaineering?" This book moves back and forth between Silvia's childhood and her Everest trip, but there is a disconnect between the two timelines. Silvia mentions a past trip to the Himalayas as being her impetus to start mountain climbing, but for such a seemingly important turning point in her life, it's barely mentioned in passing. I would have liked to have seen Silvia's first forays into mountaineering, how she got into it, if she ever questioned her journey, why she chose to jump to Everest before completing the seven summits, etc.
My only critique is the question "why mountaineering?" This book moves back and forth between Silvia's childhood and her Everest trip, but there is a disconnect between the two timelines. Silvia mentions a past trip to the Himalayas as being her impetus to start mountain climbing, but for such a seemingly important turning point in her life, it's barely mentioned in passing. I would have liked to have seen Silvia's first forays into mountaineering, how she got into it, if she ever questioned her journey, why she chose to jump to Everest before completing the seven summits, etc.
gabriellejane's review against another edition
I still had over 8 hours to go at only 36% and I didn't want to keep reading it.