Review
'Engrossing. The eye-opening diary entries reveal the self-deceiving and destructive inner dialogue of the anorexic [...] but the book does offer essential hope that a way out is possible. This story deserves to be read by thoughtful readers for its haunting, magical realism, compassionate telling, captivating characters and important issues. A useful discussion starter too for PSHE.' -- Eileen Armstrong, School Librarian, Autumn 2004 'A realistic and empathic depiction of a young girl's struggle with an eating disorder and how she overcomes it. Intriguing and topical. Recommended for readers aged 10-13.' -- Maire Ni Dhonnchadha, Inis: the Children's Books Ireland magazine, Spring 2004 'Part of the book is written in the form of Emily's diary, and some of it is quite funny. This book was really good and I thoroughly enjoyed it, but it was quite scary when Emily wasn't eating. It made me understand anorexia more, and sure that I never want to be anorexic. I would say it's for ages 11 and up.' -- Jenny, age 11, Education Otherwise, February 2004 'A fine, strong, delicate story of a girl in mortal danger, who is saved because she brings herself to ask help from powers she does not understand. Emily lives in South Africa, but the voice in her diary is utterly recognisable half the world away -- funny and agonisingly true.' -- Ursula Le Guin 'Sometimes you find secrets where you least expect them. But what can a baby know, or an old man on a mountain? Can Emily learn to listen in time? Shelley Davidow's Spirit of the Mountain will take you on a journey you won't forget.' -- Bette Lunch Husted, author of Above The Clearwater 'Shelley Davidow achieves an exquisiteness and lucidity seldom found in literature for young people.' -- Chris Van Wyk and Lesley Beake, judges for the Maskew Miller Longman Young Africa Award 'Shelley Davidow combines a lively and sensitive imagination with an exceptional mastery of the language. You'll want to follow these characters on a journey to places that are both strange and familiar. You'll get to know them and care about them and be sorry when, at the end, you cannot embark right away on another journey.' -- Judith Barrington 'Spirit of the Mountain is a beautiful and moving story about human strength and fragility, told with wit, intelligence and compassion. Davidow is a remarkably gifted writer.' -- Molly Gloss, author of The Jump-Off Creek and Wild Life
Product Description
The hot South-African summer is getting to Emily. She escapes to her Uncle Tim's farm where she meets green-eyed Joey and can relax. But Emily has an eating disorder, and each day she slips further away from those around her. Only Anna can help her -- Anna the healer, the herbalist, who possesses the wisdom of ancient customs and traditions. Anna offers Emily knowledge of a world she could scarcely imagine. Extract: Somewhere she could hear water dripping. There was a hollow echo after each splash and Emily followed the curve of the rock, walking on the small path that now appeared, worn and sandy beneath her feet. Anna kept some distance behind, Sipho's small cry resounding off the rocks. Suddenly Emily rounded a bend and found herself facing a huge overhang. The rock formed a massive, flat ceiling that seemed to retreat right into the mountainside.
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