Good when it talks about Nairobi. The marriage issues were not well developed. ( )

Before I even read this book, I had already noticed several mixed reviews. I have found that for the most part, I usually enjoy Shreve's work so I decided to give this one a shot. Although I will confess that this book wasn't one of my favorites by Shreve, I did find some enjoyment throughout the pages.

Margaret and Patrick are newlyweds that have decided to start their lives off together by spending some time in Africa. As a doctor Patrick finds himself very busy and working quite long hours, while Margaret is a photojournalist and was not working for quite some time after they arrived in Africa so she found herself getting quite frustrated with her mundane lifestyle. They don't have many friends in the area, so after being alone all day Margaret is starving for people to be with. So it really wasn't a surprise when after meeting Arthur and Diana they dive right into a friendship with people they hardly know for the feeling of companionship.

After several outings together, the two couples decide to take on the challenge of climbing Mount Kenya together. Little do they know that climbing this mountain will change all of their lives forever. After the tragedy on the mountain they return to their lives in a way that pushes the events of the climb to the far recesses of their minds. Even though Patrick doesn't want to talk about what happened on the mountain, Margaret is haunted by the memory and can't understand why she can't seem to go on with her life when the others don't seem to have a problem.

One thing that I have always liked about Shreve's writing is that she always seems to spin a story about realistic people. I can't say that I liked Margaret or Patrick's characters, but I think that is one of the reasons that I did enjoy this book. In real life I don't like everyone that crosses my path, so why would I expect that in a book? I do admit that I would have liked to get to know Margaret a bit more throughout the story. But then when I consider how young Margaret actually was in the story, I can't help but ask myself how much more could she have offered as a character?

Throughout the story Margaret struggles with the guilt that the tragedy on the mountain was her fault. It doesn't help when her husband openly admits that he also blames her for the events that took place. For me, this story was about Margaret finding her true self by seeking forgiveness mostly from her own mind and emotions. It is only when she accepts herself that she will be able to move on and find her place in this world. ( )

Anita Shreve has a way of pulling you into a story very quickly, and this book was no exception. Set in Africa, it follows newlyweds Margaret and Patrick as they embark on a mountain-climbing expedition with disastrous consequences. It provides an interesting look at a young marriage and the forces that keep people together and apart. Although I found it a little slow in the middle, it picked up again nicely in the last part. A good read. ( )

In the beginning I had a hard time getting into this story. The characters seemed stiff and I didn't feel as if I knew them. Then it just went to completely unbelievable in my eyes. After she got a job as a photographer I started to connect with her a bit more but then I disliked the way it ended. I usually enjoy Shreve's books but this is not one of my favorites. I would recommend you read her book Testimony instead. ( )

In this latest effort, Shreve sticks to her general formula- how one moment, one decision can forever change a life. Margaret and Patrick are a young newlyweds living in Africa when a tragic moment on a mountain climb with their landlords causes a rift from which their marriage may never recover. The book covers the year following the actions on the mountain, and traces the efforts Margaret makes to rediscover her life and her love.

The book was well-written, and the flavor of expat life in Africa came through beautifully, but I just found it impossible to connect to the characters. Margaret seemed to be drifting through life, never really making choices about the things that most impact her. Patrick was not sympathetically drawn- I for one could not figure out why Margaret married him and followed him to Kenya, let alone why she was interested in saving her marriage to him. Even at the end, I just didn't care one way or the other about how the story turned out which is never a good sign.

Perhaps this book wouldn't have been so disappointing if I hadn't recently finished the absolutely incredible Testimony where the characters so truly touched me that the story continues to resonate. In contrast, A Change in Altitude left me cold; not one of Shreve's best efforts. ( )

Not Shreve's best, but I like it. I especially liked the ending. ( )

This is the story of Patrick and Margaret, newlyweds who have moved to Africa where Patrick can do his medical research. It talks of their trials and tribulations while learning the ways of life in a foreign nation. The story also deals with different events that test the strength of their marriage. The end definitely leaves the outcome of whether or not they remain married open to interpretation.

It was obvious that the two were in love, but Ms. Shreve leaves me wondering how passionate their love really was. There is just not enough there for me to feel that they just can't live without each other. That seems to be her style in most of the books I've read by her. I do, however like this book very much and would recommend it to others. ( )

My body was sitting on the beach at Topsail Island, North Carolina but my mind was transported to the dusty streets of Nairobi before the seasonal rains while reading A Change of Altitude. It was not surprising to learn Anita Shreve once lived in Kenya. Only someone who lived there could capture the moral questions that come up when living in a country different from your own.

A Change of Altitude is about Margaret, a newlywed who lives with her husband, Patrick, in Kenya. He's a doctor doing research on tropical diseases. She's at a bit of a loss on how to spend her time since the move. Margaret was a reporter in Boston and now feels purposeless. Patrick and Margaret are invited to climb Mount Kenya with two other couples. An accident during the climb changes the course of their marriage.

This book can easily be a book club favorite if readers are brave enough to pick it up. The events make Margaret ask some hard questions about herself and her marriage. Although the average reader won't have lived in another country where the customs are different, many of the feelings and doubts expressed by Margaret have been felt by someone in a relationship. There are the normal marriage questions such as whether or not to have children, if children are in the future then when would be a good time to start trying and the harder questions such as which characteristics in my mate can be overlooked and which ones should I confront him/her about? It can make the reader ask those questions of themselves and some readers will find they aren't ready for those answers. ( )

This is definitely one of my favorite books of Shreve's. It was an interesting look at marriage and the trials that come with it. Dealing with a tragedy on a new marriage is difficult and Shreve did a great job at portraying that in this book. I loved the characters and so wished I could have read more about them. Maybe she will write another book with them as I would love to read more of their story. For now I have to use my imagination to see what would happen to them next. I will definitely be recommending this book. ( )

My favorite author - but not my favorite book of hers - yet I think it is a book with a theme that many readers will identify with ( )

People fiction. The events that occur within the book are exclusively set for the characters relationships to get better or worse. Of course, many books are about people, but some books are more interested in the relationships of people. For some readers, this is their favorite type of book. For me, it isn't. But of all the writers of "people fiction", I think Anita Shreve does it better than most. I don't usually gravitate to this genre, but I consider Shreve a favorite of mine within this genre.

The characters confused me. They believe in their stereotypes but then get angry when what they thought would happen comes true. Paying a boy eight shillings to watch her car in Africa would seem Margaret expects something to happen to it. After the car is stolen, Margaret is told "you're supposed to give the parking boy five shillings to watch the car, with the promise of five more shillings when you return. Thus ensuring the vehicle will be there when you want it." She fully expects the car to be stolen (as with this comment, it seems most expatriates do), but is surprised when it is. Another example - Margaret's husband doesn't want her to walk last in line while hiking Mount Kenya. He says it isn't safe. She looks around to see if anyone is carrying a weapon. She assumes they will be attacked, when maybe he simply means that Margaret, being the inexperienced hiker, might be left behind. A third example - while Margaret is being bitten by fire ants, she "felt as though she were being assaulted by Africa itself." It makes me wonder why Margaret is even in Africa if she thinks a nest of fire ants represents the whole continent. And why anyone would climb a mountain with people they loathe is beyond me. Margaret is one of those characters that stumble through blunders simply so the reader will like her more. That doesn't always work for me. Margaret is left confused and empty from the beginning of the book, the middle after a horrifying accident, and the end. But I believe this is Shreve's point. What confuses me most is after Margaret states "she could not imagine ever wanting to leave [Africa]." I feel that Margaret hadn't changed during the course of the book in order to make that statement - it comes out of left field. I thought she was having a not-so-great time, always being wary of everyone and everything around her. Not to say she should be naive and trusting, but if you think the entire continent is out to get you, why stay? Maybe I got more hung up on this detail than other readers will. Every book is different for every reader.

There were some African words I did not know the meaning of, which leaves me feeling disconnected from the story. The writing is straight forward but sometimes I'd wish to see extended descriptions of Africa (maybe explaining the meaning of those African words). It would be nice to get off the beaten path of the direct story and explore a little.

I like the diversity of Shreve's books. Though she usually remains within that "people fiction" realm, her books involve different things and events that effect relationships: accidents, affairs, war, pregnancies, murder, the economy. It's all there in Shreve's books and everything effects these relationships. I've read quite a few of Shreve's books and plan on reading quite a few more, whenever I'm in the mood for some "people fiction". ( )

I am an Anita Shreve fan. I have read most of her books and was thrilled to get A Change in Altitude as my first Library Thing Early Reviewer selection. Unfortunately, I was disappointed in this book. It took me a while to get into - pretty much the entire Part I of three parts was slow going. Once I got into Part II, things started to pick up and hold promise. And then I fould myself nearing the end of Part III wondering how she was going to wrap it all up, thinking a very unexpected ending was in store. It was certainly unexpected. It felt incomplete and empty. I've been thinking about it alot since finishing the book last night, knowing I would be writing this review, and I guess "incomplete and empty" is probably how the book's character felt. So, maybe the author accomplished what she wanted to convey, but I was still disappointed. ( )

Margaret and Patrick are in Africa so Patrick can do medical research. They are invited to climb a mountain with their landlords Diana and Arthur and some of their friends. It is a harrowing journey for Margaret and Arthur who has a crush on her is very attentive. Rats frighten Margaret during a night camping and Arthur takes her hand. In the morning everyone sees them holding hands and Diana is outraged. Due to Diana's hurt and anger, she is careless and dies in a fall. This is a terrible turning point for Margaret and her husband. They struggle for a year to patch the rift and finally attempt to climb the mountain again with a happier ending.

This was a good story and very interesting, but I did not care for the ending. It felt like the story wasn't finished. ( )

Title: A Change in Altitude
Author: Anita Shreve
Pub. Date: 09/22/09
ISBN: 9780316020701
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company
Address: 237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
List Price: $26.99

A Change in Altitude is not only descriptive of the actual story, but also a metaphor for what happens to Margaret, the protagonist of this story.

Patrick is a physician doing research in Africa on equatorial diseases. Accompanied by his wife Margaret, a photographer, they decide to venture off and go hiking. The goal is to climb Mount Kenya and reach the summit, as the view from atop this mountain is known to be remarkable. The couple sets forth on this expedition with a small group of friends. Although this novel has a bit of a slow start, once they begin climbing the mountain, you cannot put this book down.

Anita Shreve touches on many themes in this intricate, yet simple story. As Margaret enjoys the attentions of another man, which inadvertently leads to a tragic accident, Shreve expresses the consequences of dabbling in seemingly innocent flirting, the consequences of over reacting when controlled solely by our emotions and how a single event in life can change everything. Thematically, Shreve also explores comparable concepts by paralleling fidelity and emotion and what drives ones actions, with the love of photography and what drives a person to put themselves in danger due to the feelings one is experiencing at that time. The nature of forgiveness is also explored.

Similarly, Shreve eloquently uses the theme of altitude to express the growth of Margaret's character, while simultaneously writing a story about cultural diversity and feelings of displacement outside one's "natural" environment. Shreve additionally explores the very depths of a relationship through expressing that a fine line exists between emotional fidelity and physical fidelity, and the place its serves within a marriage. This novel illustrates that crossing such a fine line can put a break in the strength of a marriage, and ultimately lead to a Change in Altitude.

Shreve's novel is exceptional, particularly in her use of Margaret's character and her struggles to reach the top of this mountain. The use of supplemental characters are additionally instrumental throughout this story. The characters are rich, as well as the descriptive scenery of Africa depicted by Shreve, who lived and worked in Africa as journalist in the past. Shreve is very successful in drawing readers into her story and her vivid descriptions allow the reader to feel like they are there with the characters. She easily achieves credibility. Moreover, those who enjoy philosophical debates will undoubtedly devour the themes woven throughout this novel. A Change in Altitude is a good read.

-written by Jennifer Ochs ( )

I have not read Anita Shreve, or really heard of her before. The book is good, but the details are a little hard to understand for the average person. They were complex, and it took a few seconds for the meaning of a sentence to sink in. I liked the book, and if i get the chance, i will read more of Anita. Its problems are really real, and anybody could understand. one thing that i would like to know is when the book was based, because a character had parents that owned a home in the 1940's and thats about it, but they have pretty modern things like cars and telephones. ( )

Anita Shreve returns to Africa (after 2001’s The Last Time They Met) to explore how a woman’s passivity and growing strength affect her young marriage.

Set in the late 1970s, Margaret, a 28-year-old Boston newspaper photographer, accompanies her physician-husband, Patrick, to Nairobi for his research in equatorial medicine. Soon thereafter and with little notice, Patrick announces he’s committed them both to climb Mt. Kenya with a group of friends. Although the climb requires technical mountaineering skills, Margaret complies without protest or negotiation. She scrambles to get ready and then we watch the group’s ascent and witness a terrible accident.

I loved the opening section, where Shreve evokes a real physicality of the climb. (It made me eager to re-read Michael Crichton's similarly evocative "Kilimanjaro," from his essay collection, Travels). Then the accident causes marital aftershocks and adjustments which are explored in an interesting but slower-going middle, and things grow dramatic again toward the end.

This novel feels especially true-to-Shreve; readers who’ve developed a consistent like or dislike for her works will feel similarly toward this one. ( )

I really liked this book. I couldn't get into her last one -- Testimony -- but this one pulled me in right away. It's the story of Margaret, an American fish out of water in Kenya. It begins with her attempting to climb Mount Kenya with some friends. It's a journey with tragic consequences (though not for Margaret herself). She spends another year in Africa and ends up climbing the mountain again. I loved reading her tale of self-discovery, excitement, and falling in love with a strange, dark, complex yet exhilarating country. It is the first book that has made me want -- a little bit -- to go to Africa. ( )

This is the first Shreve novel I have read, though I am aware of her previous successes. At first, I found the pace rather numbing and the characters were cold cardboard. I had trouble picking it up after time away. But, after the pinnacle event, the novel's momentum picked up and the characters took on color. Bits of intrigue, adventure, human frailty, and subtle interactions kept this story moving, literally, toward a peak. ( )

If you (like me) are a fan of Anita Shreve, then you are probably salivating over her new release, A Change in Altitude. And after Testimony, who wouldn’t be a fan? Shreve seems to be getting better and better. This novel centers on a late twenties newlywed, Margaret, who jumped at the chance to follow her husband to Kenya where he is doing medical research. One day Patrick announces that they are going to climb Mt. Kenya with their land lords and another couple. The climb is an arduous several day affair, so Margaret does have misgivings, but in the end is easily persuaded. Once on the expedition, small indiscretions on Margaret’s part have dire consequences and put a seemingly insurmountable strain on her marriage. As the cracks in her marriage widen, Margaret considers whether she can save her marriage, and as she explores her own passions, a part of her wonders if she wants to.

The muscle that Shreve typically flexes is her ability to instantly grab and hold the reader, but for me that didn’t happen here. Instead I found myself sort of plugging away at the first few chapters. However, Shreve is an excellent story teller, and so I soon found myself engrossed in Margaret’s emotional drama which was beautifully set by the harsh African landscapes and Keynes details. The fish out of water feel of an American in Africa is explored, and is thematically similar to The Poisonwood Bible by Kingsolver or Louise Dean’s The Idea of Love. The culture shock is just an element to Margaret’s characterization, and not the focus of her story, and thus Shreve forges something new. I was shocked to enjoy the action sequences as much as I did, and found Margaret’s insecurities scarily relatable and fascinating. Overall, I was surprised with the restraint and subtlety which Shreve used in composing this novel. Though A Change in Altitude wasn’t my favorite book by Shreve (that is a tie between Testimony and Fortune Rocks), it is still one of her best. ( )