Solo Faces
A Novel
-
-
3.5 • 15 Ratings
-
-
- $11.99
Publisher Description
A novel about a lonely mountain climber from the author of All That Is: “Beautifully composed . . . will remind readers of Camus and Saint-Exupéry” (The Washington Post).
Vernon Rand is a charismatic figure whose great love—whose life, in fact—is climbing. He lives alone in California, where he combats the drudgery of a roofing job with the thrill of climbing in the nearby mountain ranges. Sure of only his talent and nerve, Rand decides to test himself in the French Alps, with their true mountaineering and famed, fearsome peaks. He soon learns that the most perilous moments are, for him, the moments when he feels truly alive. One of the great novels of the outdoors, Solo Faces is as thrilling, beautiful, and immediate as the Alpine peaks that have enthralled climbers for centuries. This ebook features an illustrated biography of James Salter including rare photos from the author’s personal collection.
Customer Reviews
Solo Faces
The story is interesting, but rather depressing as the main character, Rand, gradually withdraws from friends and society. I think it is less about mountain climbing than one would expect and more about pursuit of a passion to the point of burn-out, disillusion, and alienation. The writing itself is uneven, sometimes flowing and satisfying; other times disjointed to the point of being unclear and difficult to follow. Overall, less than satisfying.