The Mountain Story: A Novel

The Mountain Story is about a motley group of hikers who become stranded on the mountain in Palm Springs. It is a survival story, and it is clear from the beginning that at least one survives and at least one does not.

Though there are plenty of fast-paced adrenaline moments, and some graphic/gory injuries, overall this is not a fast-paced adventure story. It is far more reflective than that. The primary character has come to the mountain in a desperate depressive state, and much of the book is his recollections of a very screwed-up childhood, remembrance of a very close friend, and mourning a recent loss. The other characters are dealing with their own issues, which are slowly revealed. This is a very tightly written book, with lots of layers and themes, and great character development.

This was an interesting read, particularly since I am not a regular reader of survival fiction. The description of this novel was so compelling, I gave it a whirl.

The story involves four people (mainly 18-yr-old "Wolf" Truly) who meet on a the way to a day trip to the Mountains of Palm Springs, where, as you have likely read in the synopsis, they become stranded. (I was thinking about the three-hour tour scenario from Gilligan's Island when I read the synopsis, but no similarities whatsoever). Each (Wolf plus three women) has his/her own story (stories) that are revealed - sometimes rather slowly - but eventually all come to light.

Wolf, in particular, has a rather difficult set of circumstances to deal with - no mother (dead), a rather neglectful and corrupt father and the semi-recent death of a friend on the mountain. The story is told from Wolf's perspective later in his life when he is a father, himself, transitioning to having his son leave for college. The story skips back and forth so don't expect a linear narrative. And all of this is intertwined with the stories of the three women, which is what caused the sluggishness of the narrative at times. I guess the intent may have been to relate past events to the traumas of the moment but it didn't work for the entire narrative. I stayed with it mainly to find out who did not return and I'm glad I did because the narrative picked up after the midpoint and revealed a few surprises.

While Wolf's intent to go to the mountain on his eighteenth birthday was to end it all at the site of his friend's (a Native American man's) death a year earlier, the group's inability to find their way back to "civilization" changes what, at first, appears to be a mishap. The events that follow prove to be more of a challenge than they expect and things quickly descend into tragedy and a test of the human spirit and what one is capable of in dire circumstances. This book really reinforced my "great dislike" of the great outdoors and especially camping, not that this group was there to camp. That said, for a number of reasons, they were woefully unprepared even for a day in the mountains - improper clothing, no supplies, flip flops and so on. Circumstances change swiftly, abruptly and horrifically for the group, but through the struggle of being on the mountain, their stories unfold for better or worse. Wolf, his father Frankie and his friend, Byrd, are the most interesting characters. And the relationships that are formed in the wilderness prove to be interesting as well.

I really want to say more but if I do I will have to reveal something I shouldn't.

My advice is to slog through the slow start/middle and get to the end. Some of it is quite disturbing but it pays off at the end.

This adventure story of survival takes place on the mountain above Palm Springs, where most tourists take the Tram up to the top of "Angel's Peak" for a spectacular view of Palm Springs. I myself, have taken the Tram there and it really does take you to another climate & conditions completely different from the desert below. Even if you are only "looking around" up there, you need warm clothing and good walking shoes, at least. I am sure glad that I did not go off "the beaten track" up there, like our characters in this story. The main character, whose nickname is "Wolf", decided to go up there to commit suicide, where his friend died up there. That decision could not have been more profound, especially since he decided that since he would not be coming back down, he did not take proper clothing, nor his backpack, like on other numerous climbs he had made in the past. While going up on the Tram, he meets three women who are going up for completely different reasons. Two were equipped properly and one was not, in the fact that she only wore flip flops! They only intended to be up there for the day and to return by nightfall. Thus begins the story of events that occur that change all four character's intentions and end up being a novel of survival and unbelievable struggles. This book bounces back and forth between their prior lives and that of being on the mountain. It progresses very slow and you have to be committed to sticking with this book to see where it goes. I'm glad I did, because what happens to these people is amazing as they struggle to get back to the Tram station that fateful day. It was unbelievable as to what they went through & had to deal with as the time up there passed and conditions deteriorated rapidly due to weather & injuries. The book's cover gives away that one of the four will not come back, which is like a spoiler alert, which I would rather have not known, going into the book from the start. There is a surprising twist at the end as well. All in all, a survival story of how people deal with harsh conditions and relate to each other when dealing with them ! !

Each of Lansens' earlier novels, I have greatly enjoyed - starting in 2009 when I read The Girls: A Novel. My anticipation for this latest novel is pretty high, too, considering it has been three years since the release of The Wife's Tale: A Novel. On its face, this is a survival story of five days in the mountain above Palm Springs, CA. The book is framed around a letter from Wolf Truly to his son, Daniel, as he goes away to college and Wolf feels like he can finally share the true story of all that transpired when he and three strangers found themselves lost in the wilderness of the mountain. And there are plenty of details of their survival from thirst, hunger, wildlife and injuries - all set in a beautiful backdrop that perfectly combines the horror with the beauty of it all. But it is a lot more than just a survival story. It is a coming-of-age story, too, for the narrator, with plenty of flashbacks into Wolf's previous eighteen years of life. All of the characters quickly come to life and there are some scenes - like Wolf's first meeting with his best friend, Byrd, that are downright hilarious. But there is sadness, here, too and plenty of genuine emotion and beauty. It's also a lot about family and the bonds of love that both constrain us and can give us wings. This book is beautifully and tightly written. My only minor complaint is that I wish there was a bit more to the after... I just didn't want this one to end! Still, I absolutely loved reading it and sincerely hope that it won't be another three year wait before this talented author publishes another book!

I liked the story. Not the most thrilling, or romance-bound as I expected, but still a decent read. I am new to reading so take that in mind.
I found the author's ability at making her prose light but interesting enough to follow-not spectacular, but something worth noting; the dialogues well thought out; the suspense irritating enough (in a good way) to want to keep reading, just to "find out". What I did find annoying though, were the lanky descriptive passages-if you rely heavily on the author's ability to make you feel at one with the story setting, you will be a bit disappointed by this book- and recurrent use of expressions such as "in my memory", "I thought back of of", and "Echoing my thoughts", just to name a few. The amount of surreal coincidences and happenings had me roll my eyes, and scoff at times-cheesy. Did I mention that in the beginning the book is hard to follow with the many flashbacks tossed here and there?
The ending was not as heart wrenching as I'd expected. I'm disappointed. Felt hastened. But the rest of the book, mainly the Middle, made it worth the read. I might go back and read it again in the future, just to brush up on some questions I still have about the story, but I would recommend it.

This mesmerizing story of survivial on a isolated mountaintop delivers a satisfying read. A young man and three women meet on a mountaintop and through a series of tragic mishaps end up lost and stranded without food or water. The mountain gets very cold at night and without nourishment they quickly become dehydrated and weak. They spend their days attempting to find their way out spending energy they cannot afford. Below them a city is tantalizingly near, but they cannot access it due to a sheer drop from their location.

The hikers have interesting back stories--the young man is suicidal due to the tragic loss of his only friend. His lonely poverty-stricken childhood in a seedy trailer park made him dependent upon this important friendship. The women have tragic secrets they have carried and now have to confront. These survivors are pushed to the limit by the demands of the wild while they explore the limits of their courage and strength. Highly recommended.

This was my introduction to Lansens' writing and has certainly got me looking forward to reading her backlist. This modern day story of the wilderness vs. man and man vs. man…you get the picture. As the promotional copy indicated, "four go up the mountain, but only three come down…" And if that doesn't pull you in not sure what would. Wolff and his three comrades are lost figuratively and literally and this author spellbindingly captures these characters at their best and worst. A haunting read.

The Mountain Story is an exciting tale of people with initially independent perceptions brought together by a common motivation, the desire for freedom from the past. Determined by a variety circumstances to search restlessly for escape from lives of reaction rather than meaningful action, Wolf, Byrd, Nora, Bridget, and Vonn are drawn by their need for peace to a mountain rising from a desert floor. Wolf, a teenager brought to California from Michigan by his ne’er-do-well father, narrates the story via a letter he is writing later in life to his son describing his magic mountain first as a physical challenge, then as a psychological dilemma. Like Hans Castorp writing in his journal in Thomas Mann’s The Magic Mountain, Wolf, shows himself to be a naïve but sensitive and accurate observer of the mountain and the behavior of the 4 people who will share his fate.

When he first arrived in California, Wolf was passive, following and learning from his friend Byrd, a local California resident, who has developed a good knowledge of the mountain during his life. Then, the reader follows 18 year old Wolf as he rides up the face of the mountain in a sky tram in a state of depression. Alone because Byrd has had an “accident,” Wolf encounters Nora, Bridget, and Vonn riding up in the same tram. Not concerned about the afternoon start of their adventure, the four strangers find a common experience “off trail,” lost on the mountain with darkness closing in quickly. Wolf reluctantly takes a leadership role as the only male but with limited knowledge of the dangerous terrain. He is tested immediately as the party attempts to return to the tram terminal.

The story is one of survival during which the four lost hikers must take meaningful action with limited understanding of the mountain. That dilemma causes them to live intensely by the hour, minute, and moment fully owning the rewards and consequences of their behavior. The constricted time line paradoxically allows them more time for life reviews, reflection, and insight than they ever had in the flatlands of their normal lives.

The writing provides good descriptions of physical events, and the excitement of potentially deadly situations is high. The exploration of relationships between grandmother (Nora), mother (Bridget), and daughter (Vonn) shows how generational life experience sets the stage and affects reaction times for the characters in emergencies. The reader sees more intimately how Wolf shuffles off the trappings of his early life in Michigan and understands his changes in perceptions through adult relationships with the women. The boy to man changes require that Wolf (like Hans Castorp) tries everything possible to make a commitment to descend from the mountain and keep life close rather than at arm’s distance like his inadequate father.

One observation I have is that the voice of Wolf is feminine, as if Lansens is writing about the behaviors and thoughts of a young woman. I noticed this all though the letter Wolf is writing to his son describing the events on the magic mountain. I can see this as both deliberate and accidental as the writer slips in and out of character in the context of the letter.

I love survival stories and adventure stories. Mostly, I love novels where people are challenged not just physically but emotionally. From what I read about this book ahead of time, I thought that it would be right up my alley. The story is of a boy who decides to take a tram up a mountain on his 18th birthday so he can commit suicide. The boy, Wolf, ends up falling in with three women. When the four strangers become stranded, it becomes clear that they only have each other. Slowly the characters open up about their pasts and what brought them to the mountain. We learn about Wolf's upbringing and the impetus behind his desire to end his life.

For 2/3 of the book, I found myself dragging. I would pick it up, become easily distracted and put it down for the rest of the day. I enjoyed the premise but the actual story couldn't hold my attention. I'm used to survival stories that read like adventure tales or even thrillers. This had some of those elements, but it was really about the people. I don't know why I kept plodding through even when I wanted to stop. But I am thrilled that I did because the ending makes it ALL worth it! Once I got to the final quarter of the book, I felt like all of that dragging had a purpose and it made the book a really special read.

Lori Lansens is one of my favourite authors. Each of her previous three books has been a very different story, but each of them celebrates the fortitude of the human spirit.

Her newest novel, The Mountain Story, continues that concept.

Four people - three of them know each other, the fourth was alone - are stranded on a mountain with no food, no water and no shelter for five days. Three make it down the mountain. And one of the survivors tells the tale....

"A person has to have lived a little to appreciate a survival story. That's what I've always said and I promised that when you were old enough, I'd tell you mine .... What happened up there changed my life, Danny. Hearing the story is going to change yours."

Wolf Truly is our narrator. He brings to life his fractured upbringing..."In those dangerous narrows grew children who knew too much too young, but sadly, always seemed to learn too little too late."

And the story of the mountain. I felt like I was sitting with Danny, reading the letter Wolf has written. Lansens has a way of drawing the reader in, making them feel like they are part of the story as well.

Lansens captures the physicality of Wolf's life and his time on the mountain in both good and bad times. Her descriptions painted vivid pictures in my mind as I read. But, The Mountain Story is more than a story of survival. (Even though we know there are survivors, the question of who dies and the fight to make it through another day does not lessen the tension)

Where Lansens excels for me is in her characters - their lives, their thoughts and their interactions. The Mountain Story is a coming of age story, an exploration of parent and child relationships, friendships, a questioning of a higher power, loss, love and redemption. And always - the strength of the human spirit. Life is a bumpy road. As Wolf says "There will be sway."

Absolutely, positively recommended.

I have read Lori Lansens work before, and enjoy her writing. I was anxious to see another novel from her.

Early press releases liken The Mountain Story to Wild by Cheryl Strayed or Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. I have read both of these books, yet didn't feel that The Mountain Story really compared to either.

The novel begins by sharing a letter from Wolf, who is writing to his son years after he and three women are stranded on a mountain. There were parts of their time on the mountain that were suspenseful and I wanted to know who would make it off the mountain, yet there were also parts that seemed to drag on.

Since Wolf's story was the focus of this novel, the plot moved slowly from time to time. This is still an enjoyable novel, and one that people who like adventure stories and the outdoors will want to check out.

I love adventure type stories and thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The protagonist here, Wolf Truly, is a just-turned 18 year old boy who has been through a lot, in fact he has had enough of life, he is headed up "The Mountain" one last time with no intent to come back down. On his way up he meets a trio of ladies who will change his life and his will to live that life. The story moves back and forth in time, detailing his struggles to survive on the mountain while also flashing back to share more of the details that brought him to this point in his life.

This is one of those books that you better not pick up if you need to put it back down any time soon. The story catches you up and carries you along so smoothly that stopping requires a concerted effort. Both the characters (primary and secondary) and the setting are compelling, you have an idea of who/what they are and challenges they might present but the more you live with and in them, the richer they become. I also appreciated the fact that the author resisted giving us several obvious redemption arcs, in life certain people are miserable creatures who make others equally miserable and it is a choice to remain in their orbit. I found it refreshing to see a character recognize that fact, accept it and move forward. My only quibble with this book is that at the end I felt like there was a bit of "and the pot too" going on. I thought the drama was amped up more than it needed to be. I would have preferred a more nuanced conclusion and the last "UGH" revelation . .. yeah, that was just wrong! That said, I really enjoyed the novel and have no hesitation recommending it to others.

Recommended.

"Mount San Jacinto stands 10,834 feet above sea level, and is the second highest mountain range in Southern California. Most of the park is a designated wilderness area enjoyed by hikers and backpackers. From Desert oases to granite peaks, the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto National Monument is a land of contrast with stories of adaptation. Starting in Chino Canyon near Palm Springs, the tram takes passengers from Valley Station at 2,643 feet elevation to Mountain Station on the edge of the wilderness, elevation 8,516 feet." Wiki

On his 18th birthday, Wolf Truly, had made plans to hike the mountain. Wolf, aka Wilfred, had a difficult childhood. Brought up by his father, Frankie, a man who could not keep a job nor could he stay away from women. They moved from Michigan to California to maybe outrun the women or the law. A year before this hike, Wolf's Best friend had suffered a tragedy, and Wolf was having a great deal of difficulty coping. His father Frankie had legal problems and was in prison. Now, it was Wolf's chance to meet the mountain. In the tram, Wolf met three women who were also going to the mountain for their own reasons.

Once off the tram and on the mountain things turned sour. The four of them, Wolf, Nola, Bridget, Vonn, had separate plans, but they ended up together. The next couple of days changed their lives forever. This is a novel of finding your way through an abyss, and putting your trust in others. Four people meet and their lives depend upon the decisions they make. High up in 8,000 feet elevations, the air is thinner, the air gets cold, and no one was prepared.

Lori Lansens, the author, has written a novel that is part mystery and part survival. In a situation where your survival may depend upon your actions, how would we react. Do we have the stuff it takes? Most of us can rise to the situation, but we don't know for sure.

Recommended. prisrob 11-15-14

When your life changes suddenly & you wonder how will I survive?
Wilfred Truly (18, aka Wolf, Mountain Man, narrator, Cree) decides to leave Mercury, MI.,
& move to Verdi Village (Tin Town) in Santa Sophia, CA. His Aunt Kriket (Katherine, Trulino), Uncle Harley Diaz (Lark’s dad), & other Uncles & cousins live there.

Wolf’s dad Frankie (Trulino) is in prison for killing 2 PPL. His mom Glory Elizabeth Truly (25, mom, kindergarten teacher) just passed away, & his BMF Byrd (Polish) is seriously hurt & might not recover.
For Wolf Truly’s 16th birthday he decides to take a tramway to the top of the mountain.

Nola Devine (mom), Bridget Danielle Devine (daughter), & Vonn Devine (cousin), are lost in the wilderness when Wolf comes upon them.

What will truly happen on the mountain?

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great movie, or mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.

Thank you for the free Goodreads; Simon & Schuster; paperback book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

The mountain story by Lansens, Lori.
Story of Danny, who's just 18 and he's at Angel's Peak thinking about just ending it all. Starts out with the letter Danny writes to his son-years later.
He recalls his mother, all the good things. Frankie paints the whole house after Gloria dies-Danny's mother. He decides they need to go to CA, the desert, after Frankie has lost the house in a bet.
Danny is of Indian heritage and has no problem being outside. Wolf Truly is what they call him. Love the gift the librarian gives him-his future.
As the tram drops them off, he still has walking up the mountain to achieve. There are other women who are there and one wants the particular flower. The secret lake is closeby. One is there to commemorate her wedding anniversary.
Love hearing of the sights and sounds as he travels. Some chapters go back in time, some are present with those from the past.
Such strategy and survival skills. strong, powerful to the end....
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

I love books that are half mystery-half adventure. This is exactly that. I started the book (got about 8 pages in and fell asleep). For some reason I didn’t pick the book back up for about a week (forced myself too) and I must admit, I’m glad I did. The book is of course about being lost on a mountain. Wolf heads up a mountain for a specific reason and ends up getting side tracked by a few women trying to fulfill their own goals up the side of this mountain. As the two worlds collide, so do their stories…because what else is there to do when stuck on a mountain? This is where the adventure kicks in. The book then slows down about half way in but rest assured is picks back up-so don’t give up! The ending (as well as the beginning) have a few twists and turns that keep the reader interested and wanting more! I must admit I really enjoyed this book, I think 3.5 to 4 stars is perfect considering it did have a few slow parts, but worth it in the end.

Review by Frankie Brazelton
10 Muddy Crowns

I applaud Lori Lansens for writing such a moving tale of calamity and hope. She successfully invests you in the story and the fates of her well developed characters by drawing you in with their somber lives and loveable nature. Her writing is of both grit and beauty that transports you so that you believe you are there, watching each moment as it happens, and watching with intense awe and consternation. I was deeply affected by the downright baneful upbringing of the main character, Wolf, and immediately developed disdain for his wretched father. The gulf between the innocent and the depraved continues to widen as the story progresses. The contrast stirs such vivid emotions, as you weep for the beloved heroes, and rage against the antagonists. The mountain itself embodies both of these.

Wolf finds himself lost and stranded on a mountain with three women. I will not tell you if any or all of them will survive. What I will tell you, is that if you do not read this book you are robbing yourself of one of the most emotionally charged and beautiful stories ever written. I’ve read many novels about heroes and heroines. This singular novel has birthed the greatest heroic act ever read by these eyes. My heart bled, and I wept. How could you not fall in love with a book that truly makes you feel so much, that reminds you how fragile and human you are?

I won this book from a Goodreads.com giveaway.

You can find this review, along with others, here: http://mudvilledames.com/book-movie-reviews/the-mountain-story

Wolf Truly headed up the mountain on the tram out of Palm Springs to end his life and doesn't appreciate the intrusion of three women on his last hike. Nola Devine, her daughter Bridget, and her granddaughter Vonn are taking the hike that Nola made every anniversary with her husband, on this first year after his passing. When fog rolls in the three women become lost and Wolf attempts to guide them out of the maze-like canyons but when the group falls down a ravine, they all know they are in trouble. With an injured member of the party, little water and food, and no one knowing their plans, rescue seems unlikely and the group will have to rely on their strength and skills to get out. Not all will survive the mountain.

The narrative switches between the survival story and Wolf's background, and I enjoyed reading the survival parts much more, although I appreciate being shown Wolf's story to gain a greater understanding of him and his motivations. This is a thought provoking story of regrets, family, and the human will to survive. The information included on the native flora and fauna in the deserts and mountains around Palm Springs was of great interest to me, as I've visited the area before and had no idea of the way the Cahuilla would have used the plants for healing and their legends of the animals. Recommended as a coming of age story, a survival story, and a bit of a travelogue.

The Mountain Story
Lori Lansens
Simon & Schuster, Jun 30 2015, $26.00
ISBN: 9781476786506

On his eighteenth birthday while residing with his aunt in her trailer, an extremely depressed “Wolf” Truly ponders about life’s unending cruelty. He thinks about his late mom who died violently when he was a child back in Michigan and his wastrel father who was never there for him. Already contemplating suicide, the severe injury suffered by his BFF Byrd has pushed Wolf over the edge. Wolf takes the tram to Angel’s Peak where he plans to leap to his death.

On the tram with Wolf are the three Devine females: matriarch Nola, her daughter Bridget and her granddaughter Vonn. They plan to spread the ashes of Nola’s recently deceased husband on the summit. However, they get lost on a cold November night and adding to their fears Nola breaks her leg. No longer contemplating ending it, Wolf and his stranded compatriots struggle to survive a wilderness filled with life threatening peril from the weather, the wild and Nola’s injury.

With a strong cast whose desperation and trepidations grow throughout, this is an exciting thriller that grips readers with a sense of urgency compounded by horrific choices needed to be made from the moment the leads get lost on the mountain. Although the flashback technique detracts at times from the mounting suspense, Lori Lansens writes a dramatic terse winner.

Harriet Klausner

On his eighteenth birthday, Wolf Truly boards the tram that takes tourists up the mountain overlooking Palm Springs. He loves the mountain and has spent many happy hours on it, shooting nature photographs with his best friend Byrd and avoiding his unhappy home life. This is to be his last visit; he plans to end his life on this day. But the universe has other plans, and Wolf soon finds himself entwined with a trio of women who have a mountain quest of their own. After an unlucky chain of events, the four become lost on the craggy peak and The Mountain Story recounts the five traumatic days they spend trying to survive.

In the process of writing this novel, Lori Lansens spent some time on Mt. San Jacinto, an actual mountain on which the fictional one in her story is based. Her appreciation and awe for the area’s natural beauty comes through, and a respect for the place’s inherent dangers. For his part, Wolf is interested in the mountain from the moment he finds out he and his father will be leaving Michigan for the sunny desert of California. His childhood has been rocky and unpredictable; he was barely raised by a drug-addict father who has never recovered from Wolf’s mother’s untimely death. When they arrive at an aunt’s place in California, a tumultuous situation that is even worse than what they had before, Wolf finds a reprieve with Byrd, who shares his interest in hiking the mountain and learning about its habitat. Leaving the arid heat of the desert and rising to the cooler, forested heights must have felt like traveling to another world, and Wolf is sold from the beginning on the adventure.

The women who become stranded with Wolf represent three generations of the Devine family, and they have their own issues and family crises. Lansens expertly weaves their history, and the history of Wolf’s life up to that fateful day, into the unfolding drama on the mountain. The foursome are threatened by wildlife and pummeled by the elements; theirs is a physical and mental struggle, as each has arrived at this place with baggage. But these aren’t your typical heroes. Lansens paints these characters with all of the contradictory colors of humanity. At times they are unbelievably generous and valiant, at other times, selfish and short-sighted. This juxtaposition of human aims and striving alongside the behaviors of the non-human life on the mountain is one of the strengths of the novel. Everything can be boiled down to basic needs and wants, Lansens seems to be saying, when survival becomes your main desire. And for humans, one of these needs is family, although we can find it in unexpected places.

In an action-packed story, often attempts to integrate backstory slow and detract, but not in this case. The mountain portions were riveting, but the story of Wolf’s childhood and descent to suicidal thoughts had the same forward momentum; in fact, both aspects of the tale seemed to build to the same, eventual boiling point. This is certainly what I’d call a page-turner and yet, it introduces some thorny concepts too. What is the nature of family, and what do we owe each other? How strong does your survival instinct need to be? How much can we truly fight against the forces of nature and fate? The Mountain Story is a great summer read, delivering a compelling story and much to contemplate in its wake.
--Mary Vensel White, author of The Qualities of Wood

Wow. I just finished this book after staying up late for three nights to read it. I started reading a murder mystery today. and I couldn't continue. So lackluster after being immersed in the Mountain Story. Wolf's childhood story made me feel his sadness, joy, and confusion. Wolf's survival story had me suffering and hopeful. Other reviewers have said they didn't like the jumping back and forth between the two stories, but it gave me a break from the terror on the mountain, and let me connect with him more learning of the tragedies he endured as a kid. The four hikers are depicted with flaws and moments of heroism. The author treats us readers as intelligent - not telling us what is happening while showing us. And the reveals about what happened to Wolf's mother and his best friend are shocking.

I love reading, but am terrible at writing book reviews. (I never want to give too much away.) Lori Lansens is one of my favorite authors and her newest book does not disappoint. This is the story of Wolf Truly, who because of being unable to cope with recent events decides to take the tram to the top of the mountain in Palm Springs and jump to his death. Upon meeting and getting lost with three very different women he decides he wants to live. But his experience on the mountain makes him forever changed. As always Ms. Lansens researches her topic well and writes this adventure story in beautiful prose. The climax of the book took my breath away. I highly recommend this book.

"The Mountain Story" by Lori Lansens is a well written story with some very intense parts that had my heart pounding as I keep turning pages to see what happens. The characters are easy to identify with and really make the story into what it is. There's great dialogue, vivid descriptions, and a slow steady rhythm adding to the creepy factor that kept me hooked and reading into the night until I was finished with the book.

This is a book that has me rethinking about solo camping trips in the mountains and who I choose to take with me when I want to camp with others. Definitely not a book to take to read on mountain back county trips.

I generally very much enjoy survival stories, although admittedly I usually gravitate towards non-fiction in this genre. But the blurb of this novel interested me enough to take a chance here and while it wasn't a bad novel by any means, I wasn't enthralled with the story either.

The Mountain Story is a father, Wolf Truly, revealing the painful truth of events that happened to him on his 18th birthday for his now-grown and college-bound son. The story, however, isn't linear by any means. Wolf meanders from his early childhood (his father plays an important role both in his upbringing, such as it is, and in further tragedy that will strike in his teens) to events on the mountain and back again. While this weaving of early childhood and events on the mountain is certainly understandable, it slowed the narrative and - at least in my opinion - stunted the tension of the tragedy unfolding on the mountain.

There are some excellent parts of this book. Specifically, I enjoyed the mystery portion: not knowing who was going to be left behind on the mountain. Most of the characters were written quite well without a "cardboard cutout" feel to them. That said, there were just far too many parts of the novel that dragged and dragged for my taste. This is a mountain survival story...one shouldn't be bored at all. Yet there were several parts of the novel where I simply had to force myself to keep reading and I wanted to just chuck the whole thing and go read another book. There's too many books in the world to be bothered with slogging through a boring one.

My usual caveat applies here: read lots of other reviews before making up your mind. This is only one opinion and certainly not the be-all, end-all.

Lori Lansens's "The Mountain Story" is a survival story of Wolf Truly and the three women who change him when they are stranded on the mountain where he had originally intended to die.

It is the prose that really sells the story as the premise is not new. Lansens has a beautiful smooth style of writing that it was easy to stick with the story. Some parts of the novel are a little slow but the feelings that Lansens pulls from her characters felt genuine as they open up to each other while their situation turns from not great to dire. It is a survival story but also more than that as we find out what drives each character to be where they are.

This is a book of stories within stories, some relevant and some not. It alternates between storylines, most including the main protagonist of the story - 18 year-old Wolf Truly.

There are stories with Wolf and his best friend, Byrd. There are stories about Wolf and his father, Frankie. There are family tragedies and family struggles, accidents and disasters.

Wolf ends up going up on the tram to the top of the mountain near his home and ends up having to take on much more responsibility than he ever dreamed of.

Lots of the book dragged and I almost gave up on it about halfway through but I persevered and I'm glad I did. The last third of the book was exciting and had some surprising twists and turns.

If you like survival stories, adventure tales, stories about family and friends, try this book out. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

If you love stories of individuals who have to battle nearly impossible odds to survive in the wild, The Mountain Story is a novel worth adding to your list of "must reads." But it is far more than a survival tale and should appeal to a wider readership as well. It is also a a chronicle of a young man's coming of age and his decision to revisit the scene of a tragic accident.

The man is Wilfred (Wolf) Truly. It is his 18th birthday and he is determined to return to the mountain where he and his best friend suffered through a terrible event. As Wolf heads to the site of the accident, he meets three women who will end up stranded with him on the mountain.

While the majority of this novel focuses on their struggle to stay alive, it also goes back and forth between past and present. Wolf's memories reveal a difficult childhood, some very rough experiences (and another tragedy) and life with a difficult and unreliable father. Luckily, Wolf also has his best friend, Byrd. There is a powerful bond between the two, and it is Byrd who is there for Wolf during the most painful moments of his life.

The pace of the novel isn't always quick but there are enough mysteries and revelations to keep readers guessing. When stranded on the mountain, how far will each of these individuals go to save each other? Will they cling together or break apart? Ultimately, only three of them will make it down the mountain. One will be left behind.

I couldn't predict which one remained on the mountain - or why. There is also a surprise twist at the end. Before that, there are parts which might seem too languid for some readers but the descriptions of the mountain, the landscape and the creatures who live there - as well as the challenges faced on the mountainside - kept the tension ramped to a high pitch for me.

She is a brilliant writer and has created more unforgettable characters - Wolf, Vonn, Bridget, and Nola. This story is moving, heart-stopping, enthralling, and brilliantly penned. It was a huge undertaking and she pulled it off.

Lansens' writing never disappoints. I knew this story would linger and I couldn't read it fast enough. This page-turner is filled with hope and resilience of the human spirit. I knew this story would linger and I couldn't read it fast enough—I highly recommend it!

It follows several different events, but links them all together pretty well. You have the main character, who is the one telling the story.
He tells his story of the mountain, but also of his life before and after, which I enjoyed. You have the 3 women who end up on the mountain with them and the stories of their lives and the events that lead them to return to the mountain. There is also the main character's "family"...if you
can call them that + the local characters and some history there. There are a couple of big surprises at the end. I enjoyed this book a lot.

I borrowed this from the library not knowing anything about it and I think it would make a good movie. I didn't read the jacket description of the plot until I was over half finished and thought it did reveal a little too much of the plot but it's a good book with a good twist at the end. I liked the story enough that if it was ever on sale at audible I would probably get it. Knowing a bit of the ending in advance it part of the reason I didn't give the book 5 stars I don't know why publishers do this.

Honestly, I usually find survival stories to be very compelling, but this book just was not. I finished The Mountain Story, not with interest but only to know how it ended. If I had to pick a favorite character, it would be Nola. Her mental strength and sage wisdom made her the most interesting - in fact, she was the one character for which I was rooting. The story had promise and, for that reason, I look forward to giving this author a read in the future.

The story had excitement and an unpredictable story line but was so poorly written, unrealistic, illogical that the objective was simply to get through it to find out how this mess ended--badly---but better than the story line. The characters were crazy, never used common sense, and did not grow on the reader.

What a heartwrenching story that I didn't expect to be quite as good as it was! Being that I had just finished Wild, it seemed appropriate to read another story....not similar, but similar?! Great storytelling, the slow release of the truth and the outcome was well worth the wait, the anger I felt towards Wolfs family and sympathy for that life at the same time...just really enjoyed the story...all around!

This is touted as an adventure story about survival. "Adventure" is a word that promises to hold a person's interest throughout the book. Alas, this doesn't do it. Well, it didn't do it for me and I give it only a so-so recommendation. Too many flashbacks slow this down. For mountain enthusiasts, but not the general reader.

At last an adventure story where everyone is not supremely competent. At last a wilderness story which because it's fiction has an actual arc and not just a series of encounters. Wolf is one of the most incredible voices I've come across in fiction recently and his trailer park environment is stunningly described; at once as absurd as farce and yet hauntingly real. On the mountain, bad judgement and bad luck are the order of the day and your heart will be in your throat as the inevitability of death draws ever closer to one young man and three generations of city women lost in a very real and dangerous mountain wilderness. You may think twice about piling the kids in the car for your next hike!

This was recommended as a survivalist tale but it turned out to be a well thought out coming off age story. Full of twists and turns. Touching, poignant , well written. Whether you are a teenager or a grandparent you will enjoy this sweet story.

Slow start, but suspense built up as story progressed. Interesting plot, well developed and likable characters, don't want to give away story line, since their are surprises about the characters. I enjoyed it, found it hard to put down.

It's amazing how we so quickly form attachments with those who share similar circumstance. It's even more amazing to see what the individuals in a group are willing to suffer in order to assist each other, even when the odds are against you and your backgrounds differ by so much. That alone makes this book worth reading, now add in twist and turns that make sense but were unseen and you have a good choice for a good sit down w/ a good book.

I would recommend this to anyone who likes survival stories. It was a bit slow at times in the beginning but then it picked up and I couldn't put it down. The characters were well drawn and believable in the scenario depicted.