It’s the mid-1930s and an expedition is
due to set out in hopes of reaching the summit of Kanchenjunga in the
Himalayas.  Dr Stephen Pearce is a medic and relatively capable climber,
drafted in as a last minute replacement to his brother’s climbing party, and it
is through Pearce that we experience the events that take place.  As with
many seemingly unconquerable mountains of that region, a number of ill-fated
attempts have taken on the challenge and failed, and one in particular, the
Lyell assault of some 30-years earlier, hangs heavy over this new endeavour.
 

Early on Pearce encounters ominous
forewarnings via a survivor of the Lyell team, as well as struggling to temper
his Western rationalism against the superstitions of the locals who will act as
porters for the group.  Running from a misjudged and now broken engagement
back in England, not even these warnings, or his fractious relationship with
his wealthy, arrogant sibling and his own fears that he is not a good enough
climber put Pearce off the mission ahead.  Aware of the effects of
altitude sickness and the dangers of climbing, Dr Pearce clings to this
‘enlightened’ reasoning even as unnerving and unsettling events begin to
suggest that the native superstition is not unfounded, and something is waiting
on the mountain to punish these men for their hubris.

Having actually been to Kanchenjunga
herself, Paver vividly but economically establishes the sights, sounds and
atmosphere of the journey.  Paver’s research into mountaineering at that
time, as well as the region and customs of the people, shines through in a
strong and convincing tone.  With Pearce as narrator, Paver uses his
commentary to effectively and quickly build the other characters in the book
and create a convincing history for the lack of love between the two
brothers.  Mixing in references to real climbers and expeditions of that
time period helps to understand what drives the men to push on despite
setbacks.

There’s no obvious shocks here but
instead a sustained, creeping dread as the likelihood increases that it’s not
all in Pearce’s mind and that they are heading for tragedy just like Lyell and
company.  Subtitled ‘A Ghost Story’ this is very much the classic
approach, concentrating on mood and subtlety to create chills in the
reader.  It could be argued the story itself is slight, but even if so,
that matters little when told with such confidence and ability.

THIN AIR / AUTHOR: MICHELLE PAVER /
PUBLISHER: ORION / RELEASE DATE: 6TH OCTOBER