Synopses & Reviews
A New York Times Editor's Choice
1924. George Mallory is arguably the last great British explorer, having twice triedand failedto conquer Mount Everest. The mountain has haunted him, but his attempts have captivated the hearts of a nation desperate to restore its former glory after World War I. Yet George has sworn to his wife, Ruth, that he will not mount a third attempt. He will remain with her and their three children instead of again challenging the unreachable peak.
Then, one afternoon, Ruth reads a telegram addressed to George: Glad to have you aboard again.” And with this one sentence, the lives of the Mallorys, and the face of the nation, are irrevocably changed.
A beautifully rendered story about the need for redemption and the quest for glory, Above All Things is a captivating blend of historical fact and imaginative fiction. It is a heartbreaking tale of obsession, sacrifice, and what we do for love and honor.
Review
“ ‘Because it’s there.’ With just three words, George Mallory explained why explorers do what they do. Yet beyond these words, volumes have been left unsaid. With Above All Things, Tanis Rideout finally fills in this void, illuminating one of the great tragic adventure stories of the modern-day age. It’s a fantastic read.” —David Grann, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost City of Z
Review
“This magnificent novel, at once rugged and sensual, elaborates on George Mallory’s assault on Everest in 1924, the ones who went, the ones who waited. Deeply felt, richly imagined, immaculately styled, and utterly compelling, Above All Things takes us to the heights of human experience and endurance, both in physical fortitude and erotic longing. Rideout brings us to the summit and back down, shaken but somehow saved by grace.” —Robert Goolrick, author of A Reliable Wife and Heading Out to Wonderful
Review
“Tanis Rideout’s Above All Things is truly mesmerizing, a powerful weaving of the tensions and heartaches of a marriage in conflict with an obsession. It is the story of British climber George Mallory’s third scaling of the walls of the world’s highest mountain, and it is brilliantly told. It will take you up the slopes of Mount Everest, a climb so vividly described, you will almost feel the biting wind, the intense cold, the great drama of an historic event. But this is more than an adventure tale. Above All Things takes the reader into the hearts of both Mallory and his wife as they struggle to understand each other and their own conflicted yearnings. A deeply satisfying blend of truth and imagination that stands out from the crowd.” —Kate Alcott, author of The Dressmaker
Review
“A love story, a tale of adventure, and a study in obsession all at once,
Above All Things is simply breathtaking. With Tanis Rideout’s debut, a major new voice in fiction arrives.” —Joseph Boyden, author of
Through Black Spruce and
Three Day Road
Review
“
Above All Things has it all: adventure, tragedy, mystery, and a deeply moving love story. It’s gorgeously written and beautifully paced. I could not put it down. Prepare to be dazzled.” —Alison Pick, author of
Far to Go, long-listed for the Man Booker Prize
Review
“This vivid, assured, and confident debut novel scales great heights of obsession and desire, both on the face of Mount Everest and in the loving bond between doomed explorer George Mallory and his wife, Ruth…. Rideout offers a gripping account of the expedition. The authors accomplished depiction of the harsh and beautiful Himalayan heights … pushes the reader forward in a gripping adventure narrative, while Ruths own longings and fears offer a counterpoint of a more settled but no less intensely sensual interior landscape.” —
Publishers Weekly, starred review
Review
"With a gripping, 'you are there' realism, Rideouts powerful prose evokes the scalpel-like sting of arctic winds and the bone-shattering cold of frigid mountain nights. Impeccably researched, Rideouts vividly authentic debut historical novel is a paean to the ability of love to conquer all but the highest mountains." --Booklist
Review
“Part love-story, part high-octane adventure, this historical novel about doomed Everest climber George Mallory is a tough one to put down.” —People
“Above All Things is a work as brilliant as sunlight bending off snow. Tanis Rideouts debut . . . is skillfully and beautifully written. Charmed readers will be transported back through time and space, placing them right on the slope of treacherous and majestic Mount Everest and right inside the conflicted hearts of these memorable characters. . . . Especially compelling, this novel weaves together fact and fiction to reclaim George Mallorys wife Ruth from obscurity, bringing her alive on the page in all her deeply affecting humanity. . . . Ideas of God, of glory, of perfectionism, of what endures, of faith and honor, duty and love, failure and success, passion and prudence, guilt and shame, heroes and fools—all powder this novel like multifaceted snowflakes—ideas that will fuel many worthy discussions among readers and critics alike. Similarly, readers and critics cannot but get excited about Ms. Rideouts marvelous gifts for writing and storytelling. . . . All of us are also better in Ms. Rideouts novel—and better for having read it. Above All Things is a startling and timeless work about our deepest desires, driving obsessions, and our insatiable need to be loved.” —New York Journal of Books
“[An] absorbing, book-club ready first novel. A-” —Entertainment Weekly
“[A]s heart-pounding as anything in Into Thin Air—and the tension is lamost unbearable, even if we know the outcome. . . . Above All Things, finally, rises to the historic, even mythological occasion. Rideouts powerful prose about a tragic, brutal end will ahunt you.” —USAToday.com
“Rideout does a brilliant job.” —The New York Observer“ ‘Because its there. With just three words, George Mallory explained why explorers do what they do. Yet beyond these words, volumes have been left unsaid. With Above All Things, Tanis Rideout finally fills in this void, illuminating one of the great tragic adventure stories of the modern-day age. Its a fantastic read.” —David Grann, New York Times-bestselling author of The Lost City of Z
“This magnificent novel, at once rugged and sensual, elaborates on George Mallorys assault on Everest in 1924, the ones who went, the ones who waited. Deeply felt, richly imagined, immaculately styled, and utterly compelling, Above All Things takes us to the heights of human experience and endurance, both in physical fortitude and erotic longing. Rideout brings us to the summit and back down, shaken but somehow saved by grace.” —Robert Goolrick, author of A Reliable Wife and Heading Out to Wonderful
“Tanis Rideouts Above All Things is truly mesmerizing, a powerful weaving of the tensions and heartaches of a marriage in conflict with an obsession. It is the story of British climber George Mallorys third scaling of the walls of the worlds highest mountain, and it is brilliantly told. It will take you up the slopes of Mount Everest, a climb so vividly described, you will almost feel the biting wind, the intense cold, the great drama of an historic event. But this is more than an adventure tale. Above All Things takes the reader into the hearts of both Mallory and his wife as they struggle to understand each other and their own conflicted yearnings. A deeply satisfying blend of truth and imagination that stands out from the crowd.” —Kate Alcott, author of The Dressmaker
“A love story, a tale of adventure, and a study in obsession all at once, Above All Things is simply breathtaking. With Tanis Rideouts debut, a major new voice in fiction arrives.” —Joseph Boyden, author of Through Black Spruce and Three Day Road
“Above All Things has it all: adventure, tragedy, mystery, and a deeply moving love story. Its gorgeously written and beautifully paced. I could not put it down. Prepare to be dazzled.” —Alison Pick, author of Far to Go, long-listed for the Man Booker Prize
"...George Mallory is the subject of this knockout first novel from a Canadian poet. The author has exhilaratingly imagined the British climber's third and final attempt to reach the mountain's summit ... creating an atmosphere as authentic as in Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air.... Book group alert! Rideout has written a superb addition to the fictional biography genre popularized by novels like Loving Frank and The Paris Wife. Buy it. Recommend it. Your patrons will thank you." —Library Journal, starred review
“This vivid, assured, and confident debut novel scales great heights of obsession and desire, both on the face of Mount Everest and in the loving bond between doomed explorer George Mallory and his wife, Ruth…. Rideout offers a gripping account of the expedition. The authors accomplished depiction of the harsh and beautiful Himalayan heights … pushes the reader forward in a gripping adventure narrative, while Ruths own longings and fears offer a counterpoint of a more settled but no less intensely sensual interior landscape.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
"With a gripping, 'you are there' realism, Rideouts powerful prose evokes the scalpel-like sting of arctic winds and the bone-shattering cold of frigid mountain nights. Impeccably researched, Rideouts vividly authentic debut historical novel is a paean to the ability of love to conquer all but the highest mountains." —Booklist
Review
“‘Because its there. With just three words, George Mallory explained why they do what they do. Yet beyond these words, volumes have been left unsaid. With Above All Things, Tanis Rideout finally fills in this void, illuminating one of the great tragic adventure stories of the modern-day age.”—David Grann,
New York Times bestselling author of
The Lost City of Z
“A superb addition to the fictional biography genre.”—Library Journal
“Rideouts powerful prose evokes the scalpel-like sting of arctic winds and the bone-shattering cold of frigid mountain nights. Impeccably researched, Rideouts vividly authentic debut historical novel is a paean to the ability of love to conquer all but the highest mountains.”—Booklist
“An elegant and well-researched novel.”—The New York Observer
“Part love story, part high-octane adventure, this historical novel about doomed Everest climber George Mallory is a tough one to put down.”—People
“Rideouts powerful prose about a tragic, brutal end will haunt you.”—USA Today
"Gripping."—Parade
"[Rideout's] depiction of the Everest climb pulses with visceral detail."—Entertainment Weekly
“This vivid, assured, and confident debut novel scales great heights of obsession and desire, both on the face of Mount Everest and in the loving bond between doomed explorer George Mallory and his wife, Ruth."—Publishers Weekly
“Above All Things is part thrilling adventure, part moving love story and, in its entirety, beautifully written.”—Examiner.com
“Truly mesmerizing, a powerful weaving of the tensions and heartaches of a marriage in conflict with an obsession…brilliantly told. It will take you up the slopes of Mount Everest, a climb so vividly described you will almost feel the biting wind, the intense cold, the great drama of an historic event. But this is more than an adventure tale. Above All Things takes the reader into the hearts of both Mallory and his wife as they struggle to understand each other and their own conflicted yearnings. A deeply satisfying blend of truth and imagination that stands out from the crowd.”—Kate Alcott, author of The Dressmaker
“This magnificent novel, at once rugged and sensual, elaborates on George Mallorys assault on Everest in 1924, the ones who went, the ones who waited. Deeply felt, richly imagined, immaculately styled, and utterly compelling, Above All Things takes us to the heights of human experience and endurance, both in physical fortitude and erotic longing. Rideout brings us to the summit and back down, shaken but somehow saved by grace.”—Robert Goolrick, author of A Reliable Wife and Heading Out to Wonderful
“Above All Things has it all: adventure, tragedy, mystery, and a deeply moving love story. Its gorgeously written and beautifully packed. I could not put it down. Prepare to be dazzled.”—Allison Pick, author of Far to Go, long-listed for the Man Booker Prize
“A love story, a tale of adventure, and a study in obsession all at once, Above All Things is simply breathtaking. With Tanis Rideouts debut, a major new voice in fiction arrives.”—Joseph Boyden, author of Through Black Spruce and Three Day Road
Review
and#8220;and#8216;Because itand#8217;s there.and#8217; With just three words, George Mallory explained why they do what they do. Yet beyond these words, volumes have been left unsaid. With Above All Things, Tanis Rideout finally fills in this void, illuminating one of the great tragic adventure stories of the modern-day age.and#8221;and#8212;David Grann,
New York Times bestselling author of
The Lost City of Z
and#8220;A superb addition to the fictional biography genre.and#8221;and#8212;Library Journal
and#8220;Rideoutand#8217;s powerful prose evokes the scalpel-like sting of arctic winds and the bone-shattering cold of frigid mountain nights. Impeccably researched, Rideoutand#8217;s vividly authentic debut historical novel is a paean to the ability of love to conquer all but the highest mountains.and#8221;and#8212;Booklist
and#8220;An elegant and well-researched novel.and#8221;and#8212;The New York Observer
and#8220;Part love story, part high-octane adventure, this historical novel about doomed Everest climber George Mallory is a tough one to put down.and#8221;and#8212;People
and#8220;Rideoutand#8217;s powerful prose about a tragic, brutal end will haunt you.and#8221;and#8212;USA Today
"Gripping."and#8212;Parade
"[Rideout's] depiction of the Everest climb pulses with visceral detail."and#8212;Entertainment Weekly
and#8220;This vivid, assured, and confident debut novel scales great heights of obsession and desire, both on the face of Mount Everest and in the loving bond between doomed explorer George Mallory and his wife, Ruth."and#8212;Publishers Weekly
and#8220;Above All Things is part thrilling adventure, part moving love story and, in its entirety, beautifully written.and#8221;and#8212;Examiner.com
and#8220;Truly mesmerizing, a powerful weaving of the tensions and heartaches of a marriage in conflict with an obsessionand#8230;brilliantly told. It will take you up the slopes of Mount Everest, a climb so vividly described you will almost feel the biting wind, the intense cold, the great drama of an historic event. But this is more than an adventure tale. Above All Things takes the reader into the hearts of both Mallory and his wife as they struggle to understand each other and their own conflicted yearnings. A deeply satisfying blend of truth and imagination that stands out from the crowd.and#8221;and#8212;Kate Alcott, author of The Dressmaker
and#8220;This magnificent novel, at once rugged and sensual, elaborates on George Malloryand#8217;s assault on Everest in 1924, the ones who went, the ones who waited. Deeply felt, richly imagined, immaculately styled, and utterly compelling, Above All Things takes us to the heights of human experience and endurance, both in physical fortitude and erotic longing. Rideout brings us to the summit and back down, shaken but somehow saved by grace.and#8221;and#8212;Robert Goolrick, author of A Reliable Wife and Heading Out to Wonderful
and#8220;Above All Things has it all: adventure, tragedy, mystery, and a deeply moving love story. Itand#8217;s gorgeously written and beautifully packed. I could not put it down. Prepare to be dazzled.and#8221;and#8212;Allison Pick, author of Far to Go, long-listed for the Man Booker Prize
and#8220;A love story, a tale of adventure, and a study in obsession all at once, Above All Things is simply breathtaking. With Tanis Rideoutand#8217;s debut, a major new voice in fiction arrives.and#8221;and#8212;Joseph Boyden, author of Through Black Spruce and Three Day Road
and#160;
Synopsis
“Tell me the story of Everest,” she said, a fervent smile sweeping across her face, creasing the corners of her eyes. “Tell me about this mountain that’s stealing you away from me.” In 1924 George Mallory departs on his third expedition to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Left behind in Cambridge, George’s young wife, Ruth, along with the rest of a war-ravaged England, anticipates news they hope will reclaim some of the empire’s faded glory. Through alternating narratives, what emerges is a beautifully rendered story of love torn apart by obsession and the need for redemption.
About the Author
Tanis Rideoutand#8217;s work has appeared in numerous publications and has been short-listed for several prizes, including a CBC Literary Award. Born in Belgium, she grew up in Bermuda and in Kingston, Ontario, and now lives in Toronto, where she received her MFA from the University of Guelph-Humber. Above All Things is her first novel.