The Abominable - Dan Simmons

The Abominable

By Dan Simmons

  • Release Date: 2013-10-22
  • Genre: Action & Adventure
Score: 4
4
From 117 Ratings

Description

A thrilling tale of high-altitude death and survival set on the snowy summits of Mount Everest, from the bestselling author of The Terror.

It's 1924 and the race to summit the world's highest mountain has been brought to a terrified pause by the shocking disappearance of George Mallory and Sandy Irvine high on the shoulder of Mt. Everest. By the following year, three climbers -- a British poet and veteran of the Great War, a young French Chamonix guide, and an idealistic young American -- find a way to take their shot at the top. They arrange funding from the grieving Lady Bromley, whose son also disappeared on Mt. Everest in 1924. Young Bromley must be dead, but his mother refuses to believe it and pays the trio to bring him home.

Deep in Tibet and high on Everest, the three climbers -- joined by the missing boy's female cousin -- find themselves being pursued through the night by someone . . . or something. This nightmare becomes a matter of life and death at 28,000 feet - but what is pursuing them? And what is the truth behind the 1924 disappearances on Everest? As they fight their way to the top of the world, the friends uncover a secret far more abominable than any mythical creature could ever be. A pulse-pounding story of adventure and suspense, The Abominable is Dan Simmons at his spine-chilling best.

Reviews

  • The Abominable

    5
    By BpBonnie
    Wonderful armchair mountaineering novel. I adored the characters and loved losing myself in the fine adventure.
  • Not his best

    2
    By Nena54321
    If you want to read about the evolution of mountain climbing gear (gore Tex, rope, etc), then this is your book.
  • Totally abominable

    1
    By gmarv
    Good grief. This is just a terrible patchwork quilt of every climbing story out there. Not to mention how tawdry and preposterous the whole thing becomes. This work belongs in a crevasse.
  • I feel like I left my friends on the mountain

    5
    By Zdick_62
    I got very involved with the characters. Dan really brought this book to life. I felt the danger of the adventure increase as the book progressed to its climax. Totally will recommend it to my friends who like this genre.
  • Worth the read

    4
    By donahuer
    Like "The Terrible" the joy of reading this book is in the details and characters. The story is unexpected and yes, the ending isn't the best but the 600 pages leading up to it make it all worth the time. It will pull you in and transport you.
  • Soooooo Cold!

    4
    By Avread
    I am in awe of Mr. Simmons. As I was reading I could feel the coldness of the mountain, the sheer desperation of a blind jump for a ledge, and the hopelessness of being in the Death Zone. What a great read. Had me turning the pages and staying up late. Well worth the time. Great book.
  • A Wild Ride

    5
    By Foster forever
    This is one of Dan's best books. His vivid descriptions and nonstop action leaves you feeling like you are actually on the mountain with the characters. As a non climber, I loved every page of this book.
  • The Worst MacGuffin Ever

    1
    By Colin Higgins
    I am literally in awe of the MacGuffin that author Dan Simmons expected his readers to swallow toward the end of the book. It's laugh out loud bad. For such a dense read, I expected more. At least I got a huge laugh out of it. I guess.
  • Great Read

    5
    By Vag3574
    Loved this storyline! Highly recommend this book to read. Kept me wanting to find out what would happen next!