A tragedy that can never be righted

This is the story of two brothers who are taking part in an expedition to climb one of the lesser known Himalayan Mountains and following in the footsteps of an ill-fated expedition that took place twenty years earlier. The main protagonist is Stephen, an embittered man who has recently broken off his engagement because he felt he was becoming too much like his brother Kits. Whereas Stephen is intelligent and introspective, Kits is a natural and popular leader who nonetheless has the flaw of being snobbish and dismissing anybody who does not fit in with his class and his view about how things should be done. From the outset the Stephen is blighted with a sense of foreboding after meeting one of the survivors of the earlier expedition but intends to push on regardless in order to satisfy his sense of rivalry with his brother.
Michelle Paver takes us back to a time when men had been brutalised by the First World War and an imperialist world, but had learnt none of the lessons, instead desperately clinging onto the old order. Their casual racism and cruelty is shocking but even the privileged are trapped in a system of inheritance that only favours one beneficiary and destroys any possiblity of sibling love. The description of the journey through the jungle and finally the mountain is beautiful but also filled with an oppressive sense of discomfort at the alien environment encountered by the men. As the men ascend the mountain they become affected by the altitude and mountain sickness and it is here that Stephen gets the sense there is another presence accompanying them.
The slow reveal of what really happened during the previously expedition is perfectly timed and the poignancy of the tragedy is a visceral blow to the senses. This may be a ghost story but it also goes further by showing us that the we can all be tainted by the knowledge of evil even when we are not the direct protagonist.
The narration by Daniel Weyman is brilliant – a true master of his craft. The book is every bit as good as Dark Matter and I will be recommending this heartily to family and friends.

22 people found this helpful

perfect old-fashioned ghost story

I absolutely loved Dark Matter and was thrilled to find a new ghost story for the start of the winter. I get through the dark days and nights by listening and reading ghost stories. Somehow just not the same if sun pouring through the windows and birds singing merrily. As I was finishing this the rain was lashing against the windows and the room was lit by soft lamplight and I was so glad to be in my warm, cosy room and not an ice cave.
Once again the author transported me to a cold, hostile place where something dreadful awaits. Totally enjoyed this story and hopefully the author will continue writing a ghost stories and I will certainly buy them. Thoroughly recommend it.

13 people found this helpful

Subtle and chilling

Where does Thin Air rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

9/10

What other book might you compare Thin Air to, and why?

Dark Matter by the same author. I don't mind when a subject I enjoy is revisited by someone who knows how to write it well. It shares many of the same flavours of Dark Matter, including being British to a fault, and I loved every word of it.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, definitely.

Any additional comments?

Subtle, chilling horror written by an author who has a brilliant voice for it. I recommend this and Dark Matter, by the same author, for those who love a good British ghost story.

10 people found this helpful

The other mountain of madness

Apart from the Lovecraft story alluded to in the review title, I cannot think of another mountain story in the supernatural/horror genre. It should be noted that there are virtually no similarities between the two.
Some reviewers have complained that Thin Air is too similar to Dark Matter. I can see what they mean, but I don't consider it a problem. In fact, I'd be very happy if Paver did a third one. It could be her vaguely M.R. Jamesian remote locales trilogy. I don't usually re-listen to audiobooks, but this one is on my to listen again pile, and I'm debating whether to re-read Dark Matter (I have the first edition hardback) or get it on audio.
I've been generous with the stars because this is one of those fairly rare occasions when the prose and the narration really mesh. Sure, you get good readers reading good stories, but sometimes they go beyond this; there is a synergy in which the narrator isn't just reading the words, he's telling his story. There is no Michelle Paver and there is no Daniel Weyman, there is just Stephen Pearce talking directly to the listener.
(I got a similar effect when I listened to Michael Maloney's reading of Christopher Priest's The Affirmation.)

5 people found this helpful

Great

What a well written and truly spooky story. Loved it. Will be looking for more from this author. Narration was excellent too.

5 people found this helpful

A little too familiar, a little too long

It must be very difficult to find a way of presenting the Empire-building English upper class (and a Scot) that doesn't feel like cliche. Perhaps there have been so many parodies (and perhaps the real thing wasn't too far off) that it may be impossible to describe frost-bitten Brits being plucky in the cold without risking a slight comic edge. This gave the characters a two-dimensional feel, possibly as they felt rather like amalgamations of every shivering bearded posh adventurer I've come across in fiction.

The spooky side managed a bit of mystery and threat, and the final chapter or so was reasonably dark, but overall the book felt like it could have been a reasonable short story. It really didn't need to be this drawn out, and it was very hard to engage with any of the characters as they simple didn't feel very real.

4 people found this helpful

One of the best downloads this year!

I have been waiting all year for Michelle's new book. I am a massive fan of Paver's ghost stories. Dark Matter was one of the great British ghost stories, and Thin Air is every bit its equal. And the bonus afterward by Michelle herself talking about the book is fascinating.

Another Winner, thank you, Michelle!

When's the next one out?

8 people found this helpful

Unsettling and very enjoyable

Yes it's largely the same plot as dark matter but with a different setting, but I loved dark matter so this was very enjoyable. The last hour kept me up late and the writing was very descriptive. The extent of human endurance demanded by climbing the highest peaks on earth are fascinating, put a ghost story up there and it's a winner.

6 people found this helpful

You can tell the writer has been to the Himalaya.

Fantastic story - like being there on the trek. Having climbed to Everest base camp myself, I can honestly say that so much of the landscape descriptions and feelings and fears are exactly as I felts them. An outstanding work of British literature.

2 people found this helpful

Fantastic and capturing...a must listen 👍👍👍👍👍

Not what I would usually choose....soooo glad I did! Heard a radio review with the author...and it interested me. 100% recommendation 👍😀

2 people found this helpful