I absolutely loved this book! I can’t wait to read the next one, In Light of the Summit! Beautifully written. I had trouble putting it down and became so immersed in the story!
In Sight of the Mountain
by Jamie McGillen
"An engaging escapade with a feisty female lead." - Kirkus Reviews
"A beautifully written story. A must-read for those who are striving to fulfill their dreams..." - Seattle Book Review
"An epic and gripping work of historical fiction... the perfect historical read for fans of pioneering heroes and tales of triumph over discrimination." (Reader's Favorite 5-Star Review)
In the devastating aftermath of the 1889 Great Seattle Fire, 19-year-old Anna Gallagher faces considerable pressure to marry well and soon. But she has no intention of giving up her freedom to keep house. She wants to be the first woman to summit Mount Rainier.
Anna's grandfather couldn't disapprove more. And after he discovers that she's befriended a Duwamish woman in the forest, he threatens to disown her completely.
Still, her resolve to summit doesn't waver until she meets a fisherman who seems to love adventure as much as she does. He's not the kind of high society gentleman who could save their family's finances after the fire, but he adores her and treats her like an equal.
Mountaineering through glaciers, avalanches, and frozen temperatures might cause Anna's family to disown her forever. It might even ruin any future marriage prospects. But if she succeeds in reaching the icy peak, she could pioneer the way for women mountaineers, and create a new identify for herself, something she's been longing for her whole life.
Inspired by the trailblazing women of the 19th century who dared to summit Mount Rainier, In Sight of the Mountain is a charming coming-of-age story, but it also casts the reader's gaze upon issues of colonialism, class, and women's far-too-narrow options.
Reviews
A must read
Women trying the limits
It was easy to anticipate the love interest.Interesting to read about the climb.
3.5 stars actually
I was looking forward to this book. Anna, a young woman living in Washington state in the late 1880s, is struggling to lead a life full of adventure. Can she be independent and venturesome and still find a husband? McGillen's writing kept the story moving along, her characters well developed. She writes Anna as a young woman who does not want to be defined as the weaker sex. She decides to train and succeed in summiting Mount Rainier. In the meantime, she has several men romantically interested in her.
McGillen's writing masterfully portrayed the time period and what is "expected" of women of that time period. Overall, I enjoyed reading about Anna and her struggles. My only gripe is the ending seemed predictable.
