Thin Air by Michelle Paver is a ghost story set in the Himalayas in 1935, focusing on an expedition attempting to climb Kangchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world. The story follows Dr. Stephen Pearce and his brother Kit, along with other expedition members, as they face challenges both from the elements and a haunting presence believed to be shadowing them. The narrative combines historical details, psychological terror, and sibling rivalry to create a chilling atmosphere that builds tension as the climbers ascend the mountain.

Characters:

The characters are distinct yet archetypal, primarily focused on sibling rivalry and group dynamics that capture the historical context of the 1930s.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is atmospheric and detailed, effectively blending historical context with psychological tension, filled with suspense and suggestion.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around a 1935 expedition to climb Kangchenjunga, entangled with the legacy of a disastrous previous expedition, exploring themes of rivalry and supernatural tension.

Setting:

The setting in the remote Himalayan mountains provides a claustrophobic atmosphere, emphasizing isolation and the harshness of nature.

Pacing:

The pacing is initially slow, building atmosphere progressively, with a significant acceleration towards the climax.

‘Ah there you are, Dr Pearce!’ Charles Tennant’s daughter comes striding across the lawn with two springer spaniels at her heels. ‘This dreadful fog, you won’t get your view of the mountain now, what ...

Notes:

Thin Air is set in 1935 during an expedition to climb Kangchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world.

The story is inspired by a real-life 1907 expedition that ended tragically.

The novel combines elements of ghostly themes with a historical setting.

Paver's writing creates a sense of both physical danger and psychological tension among the characters.

Both Thin Air and its predecessor Dark Matter feature male characters in challenging environments, exploring themes of rivalry and brotherhood.

The narrative involves the main character, a doctor named Stephen Pearce, who starts experiencing odd occurrences on the mountain.

An atmosphere of claustrophobia and trepidation is prevalent as the climbers face altitude sickness and isolation.

Paver meticulously researches the settings of her novels, lending authenticity to the story.

The brotherly dynamic and rivalry between Stephen and Kits Pearce adds depth to the narrative.

The book plays with the idea of whether the characters' experiences are supernatural or the result of altitude sickness.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers/content warnings include themes of death, psychological distress, and the potential for hallucinations due to altitude sickness.

From The Publisher:

The Himalayas, 1935. Kangchenjunga. The sacred mountain. Biggest killer of them all. Five Englishmen set out to conquer it. But courage can only take them so far.

And the higher they climb, the darker it gets.

Ratings (12)

Incredible (3)
Loved It (6)
Liked It (1)
It Was OK (1)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (33):

Read It (13)
Want To Read (17)
Not Interested (3)

2 comment(s)

PurpleAmythest

Loved It

3 weeks

This is an atmospheric and suspenseful read, particularly in the last quarter. Its a bit of a slow burn (slow plot) but its worth sticking with. I found myself feeling quite immersed with the described environment and the various characters towards the end of the book.

If your an impatient reader then this may well not suit but otherwise I'd say its a good read. There are also one or two plot twists present. It is quite a chilling read (literally) by the end, I'd say. I'd recommend it to fans of historical fiction perhaps moreso than ghost stories as such. Its relatively short, at 223 pages long and so it could be read in a day or two if your on holiday.

ColorfulLeo92

Did Not Like

2 months

2.5 Wasn't bad but weren't great either. It was just an ok ghost story

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Thin Air

Michelle Paver