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Climbers

With an introduction by Robert Macfarlane
By M. John Harrison
Series: W&N Essentials
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Climbers by M. John Harrison offers a gripping exploration of the climbing subculture, focusing on the protagonist's quest for personal identity and connection. As he immerses himself in the challenging and often dangerous world of rock climbing, the book delves into themes of obsession, solitude, and the complex relationships between climbers. Through vivid descriptions and introspective passages, the narrative captures both the physical and emotional landscapes encountered by those who pursue the thrill of climbing.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate a rich narrative that dives into the world of rock climbing while exploring themes of personal discovery and the human condition. The story expertly weaves together the physical challenges of climbing with introspective journeys, set against vivid and atmospheric landscapes. Ideal for those who love character-driven tales with both external and internal journeys.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

The beloved cult classic from the winner of the 2020 Goldsmiths Prize: a novel of life-changing moments, incredible descriptions of landscape and the power of an obsession.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

'No one alive can write sentences like he can. He's the missing evolutionary link between William Burroughs and Virginia Woolf' – Olivia Laing

'Among the most brilliant novelists writing today' – Robert Macfarlane

'Truly gets to the heart of that strange, indefinable otherness of the wild northern landscape' – Benjamin Myers

Retreating from the ruins of his marriage, Mike leaves London for the wildness of the Yorkshire moors, where he falls in with a group of climbers — a band of misfits and mavericks bound by the pursuit of the unattainable: the perfect climb.

Travelling from abandoned urban quarries to misty, lichened crags, Mike discovers an intensity of experience — a wash of pain, fear and excitement — that causes the rest of his world to recede. Increasingly addicted to the adrenaline, folklore and camaraderie of the sport, he begins to lose his grip on the line between passion and obsession — at a cost.

With an introduction by Robert Macfarlane

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Climbers by M. John Harrison offers a meticulously observed journey into the niche world of rock climbing, marked by painstakingly detailed and suspenseful descriptions of climbs. Reviewers praise Harrison's poetic, evocative prose that captures the raw beauty of the Pennine landscapes while portraying the passionate and obsessive nuances of the climbers' lives. The novel stands out for its distinctive blend of sport, passion, and mood, drawing comparisons to other literary greats for its psychological depth and linguistic artistry.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781474624923

Publisher: Orion Publishing Co

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 26 May 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Weidenfeld & Nicolson

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 22.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 192.0mm

Weight: 232g

Pages: 256

Collections

Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction M. John Harrison Series: W&N Essentials

About the Author

Michael John Harrison is the author of, amongst others, the Viriconium stories, The Centauri Device, Climbers, The Course of the Heart, Signs of Life, Light and Nova Swing. He has won the Boardman Tasker Award (Climbers), the James Tiptree Jr Award (Light), the Goldsmiths Prize (The Sunken Lane Begins to Rise Again) and the Arthur C. Clarke Award (Nova Swing). He lives in Shropshire.

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