- Hardcover: 304 pages
- Publisher: Little, Brown (5 Nov 2009)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1408700719
- ISBN-13: 978-1408700716
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 15.6 x 3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 263,197 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
A Change in Altitude
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
'Evoking the landscape of Africa with an infectious passion that could have you booking yourself on the next flight to Nairobi, Shreve's fifteenth novel equally effectively maps the unknow corners of the human heart' --John Harding, DAILY MAIL
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Book Description
* The new novel about the fragility of a new marriage from one of our greatest chroniclers of the mysteries of the heart
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
An intriguing and glorious book with many facets. Different from other books by Anita Shreve it is set in Africa and tells the story of a troubled marriage between Americans Margaret and Patrick who have come to Africa so that he may study equatorial medicine. Margaret socialises at first with ex Pats but after a fatal accident whilst climbing Mount Kenya her relationship with her husband becomes badly damaged. She takes up work as a photojournalist with an independent newspaper and becomes immersed in the life and culture of Africa.
This is another beautifully written book by Anita Shreve who so obviously painstakingly researched Africa's scenery, culture and language. Everything came alive in front of my eyes.
This is another beautifully written book by Anita Shreve who so obviously painstakingly researched Africa's scenery, culture and language. Everything came alive in front of my eyes.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Margaret and Patrick are not long married when Patrick takes up a post at a hospital in Nairobi. Seen from Margaret's point of view A Change in Altitude plays on the elison of Altitude and Attitude, describing her culture shock as she becomes a priveliged white ex-patriate in a largely black impoverished society, a target for the simple reasons that she is visible and has whilst thousands have not. Living in a cottage in the grounds of the large house of another couple - Diana, a native white Kenyan, and Arthur, an Englishman - they are invited to stay in the 'Big House' when their plumbing fails. As emotions between the four become entangled Diana and Arthur invite Margaret and Patrick to climb Mount Kenya with them and the smallest of actions result in catastrophic consequences which raise questions about fidelity, love and what marriage can survive. Very well written but very sad, deals with the subjects of ex-colonialism, marriage and love with a light but devastating touch.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Am a huge fan of Anita Shreve and loved her previous book Testimony, I also love the way her books are all different.
My main irritation with this book however was that I found the tone,language, narrative and characterisation more in keeping with a period novel, it evoked the 40's or 50's and reminded me of Ian McEwan's Atonement. This was confusing given the contemporary references to songs etc. and had a distracting effect which was irritating. I would describe the book as an interesting experiment and although I did finish it and enjoyed doing so, I was intrigued by the style of writing and the authors motivation for writing in this way
My main irritation with this book however was that I found the tone,language, narrative and characterisation more in keeping with a period novel, it evoked the 40's or 50's and reminded me of Ian McEwan's Atonement. This was confusing given the contemporary references to songs etc. and had a distracting effect which was irritating. I would describe the book as an interesting experiment and although I did finish it and enjoyed doing so, I was intrigued by the style of writing and the authors motivation for writing in this way
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
One of the worst books I've ever read
The characters were one dimensional, the plot line practically non existent. Although the story meanders its way through several hints at a premise, it never seems to actually get... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Monkey
not good
I have read Anita Shreve before, including The Weight of Water and Testimony. Both excellent. So I had no hesitation in buying A Change in Altitude. Read more
Published 2 months ago by MissAnnThrop
Three and a half stars really!
This is the first novel I have read by Anita Shreeve, bought for me as a Christmas present by my son, so I can't compare it to her previous work. Read more
Published 4 months ago by A Reader
Nearly four stars
I have read nearly all of Anita Shreve's previous books, and this one is very different. The story of newly-weds Patrick and Margaret, and told from Margaret's point of view, the... Read more
Published 6 months ago by F. M. M. Stott
quite a departure for Anita Shreeve
I've read four other Anita Shreeve novels, so have some experience of her writing. This book is quite a departure from her usual territory. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Ms. K. J. Waghorn
Disappointing introduction to Anita Shreve
This is the first book by Anita Shreve I've read, chosen by our Book Club, and I found it very readable but very disappointing, more like reading a long magazine story than a... Read more
Published 9 months ago by BJ Warner
a well crafted storyline
I have found Anita Shreve's books rather variable in quality.
However 'A Change in Altitude' is a real gem - original, entertaining and with a good plot. Read more
However 'A Change in Altitude' is a real gem - original, entertaining and with a good plot. Read more
Published 11 months ago by A Liverpool Reader
Portrait of a marriage under pressure
This is a thoughtful portrait of a year in the marriage of two American newlyweds: Patrick and Margaret. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Julia Flyte
A great read
I loved this book and it caught my attention from the fist page. The book is set in Kenya and I have a Kenyan colleague who I have now passed on the book to. Read more
Published 14 months ago by B. McNichoals
Very good
This book started slowly and the first few chapters were a bit clunky, but from page 60 or so onwards I was hooked. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Veronica
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