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ehickman0817 's review for:
The Eight Mountains
by Paolo Cognetti
emotional
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
[Reading the World Challenge - Italy]
This book is a meditation on the mountains, family, coming of age, and the different paths we choose for our lives. It’s one of those books where not a lot happens, but you’re steeped in the world of the characters and along for the ride of life with them. I found so much of the narrative about the mountains and about places that are special or nostalgic to be true to my own experience. I also thoroughly enjoyed all of the imagery of the Dolomites/Alps. I thought the prose was excellent — beautiful and also digestible. The stories about the main character and his father reminded me so much of my own times in the outdoors with my dad (except I enjoyed mine, while the book character didn’t always) - getting up early, catching slower hikers, racing to the top. Overall, I like the first half of the book better as, in the second half, the storyline felt a little less focused. I thoroughly enjoyed the style of the novel, but I think there could have been a bit more emotion imbued into the relationship between Pietro and Bruno, and the Lara storyline fell pretty flat. I’m not sure how well this book would land with someone who wasn’t already a fan of the mountain scenery and hiking, as that is a large focus of the book. Nonetheless, for me, this was a really enjoyable read.
This book is a meditation on the mountains, family, coming of age, and the different paths we choose for our lives. It’s one of those books where not a lot happens, but you’re steeped in the world of the characters and along for the ride of life with them. I found so much of the narrative about the mountains and about places that are special or nostalgic to be true to my own experience. I also thoroughly enjoyed all of the imagery of the Dolomites/Alps. I thought the prose was excellent — beautiful and also digestible. The stories about the main character and his father reminded me so much of my own times in the outdoors with my dad (except I enjoyed mine, while the book character didn’t always) - getting up early, catching slower hikers, racing to the top. Overall, I like the first half of the book better as, in the second half, the storyline felt a little less focused. I thoroughly enjoyed the style of the novel, but I think there could have been a bit more emotion imbued into the relationship between Pietro and Bruno, and the Lara storyline fell pretty flat. I’m not sure how well this book would land with someone who wasn’t already a fan of the mountain scenery and hiking, as that is a large focus of the book. Nonetheless, for me, this was a really enjoyable read.