I am a huge fan of Mick Conefrey’s books, all of which I have listened to as audio books, as I trot round the streets of New Delhi (where I live).
I have trained for mountaineering expeditions (w-a-y more modest than the ones he writes about!) and for marathons, listening to Mr. Conefrey’s many tales of bravery and hardship and determination as I run, telling myself that a little of the magic and stature of these epic mountaineering adventures must surely rub off on me…A sort of reflected glory.
By the way, this is my first ever review of an audio book.
”Fallen” is a marvellously written book, exploring the story of the 1924 expedition to Mount Everest, in which two young men, George Mallory and Sandy Irvine disappeared, prompting a century of speculation as to whether or not they summited Everest.
If they did, they were the first people to climb the mountain, not Sir Edmund Hillary & Tenzing Norgay in May 1953.
The answer to this question-cum-mystery is still unanswered, and Mr. Conefrey recounts the various theories and speculations with great empathy and even-handededness. He forensically examines the 1924 expedition, using letters and diaries and interviews and official reports, and it is a fascinating, gripping tale – partly because we already know the tragic outcome, but not the answer to That Question – did they make it to the summit or not?
100 years later, and we still do not know the answer.
Mr.Conefrey is an experienced mountaineer, and writes about all things high altitude with interest and compassion, explaining, never lecturing, and with a curiosity and an enthusiasm that are infectious. Well, I find it infectious, but I am, after all, a fellow-traveller of sorts, climbing somehwat, while dreaming of the exalted heights the author writes about.
Loved the book, and found listening to it soothing and absorbing – and certainly the thought of mountains and snow somewhat numbed the pain of early morning runs in Delhi’s 90% summer humidity.
Highly recommended.
Here’s the link to Amazon, so, having read my review, you can now buy the book!
Yes, I read articles about him.