Customer Reviews

All the Way to Heaven: An American Boyhood in the Himalayas

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Having gone to Woodstock School as well, albeit, many years later (1976-1983) this book was a trip down memory lane for me. It was interesting to see how many things had not changded and that the Author's and my experiences and memories ran parallel. The dust and the heat of the plains are vividly described triggering bittersweet memories of the discomfort. It was interesting to compare and contrast the different perspectives of an American "mish-kid" growing up in India with my own perspective of an Indian boy attending Woodstock School. The author vividly paints a beautiful verbal mural of Mussoorie: describing the incessant monsoon rains, the lush hillside, the species of insects and birds, the breathtaking vistas of the snow-capped mountains to the north. He also succeeds in bringing back to life many things I had forgotten. The thrill of getting a brand new "customized" top at the topwallahs; the acrid atmosphere during the pre-monsoon as the hillsides erupted into flames; the hunger pangs we experienced each time we passed the "mithaiwallah" in the bazaar, hoping for a little treat to offset the bland concoctions we were served at school; the thrill of playing games on the Mount at Ridgewood; and so many more wonderful images. The events detailed are wonderful, however; I wish he would have written more of an introspective autobiography. A definite reccommendation for all of us who hold Mussoorie and Woodstock School close in our hearts.

A touching and accurate account of an Indian hill station. The interplay of relationships in a sometimes lonely yet happy place is well described. The dynamics of change in a different culture from a secure, simple way of life to one of more complexity is pleasantly stated. The events of summer with its monsoon rains, bringing out the bugs in such marvelous diversity to the dust and dirt of the plains illustrates the real India. Even some of the more baser elements of those times are humorously brought out. A well done delightful description.

I found this book at an AAUW booksale. I read a lot of memoirs and this one did not disappoint me. Stephen Alter's boyhood as the son of missionaries in northern India is an engrossing and gripping read. It was interesting to hear his views about growing up in the same mountain areas where the British officers of the Raj summered to escape the heat of the plains. Made me remember Paul Scott's wonderful novel, STAYING ON, which led me in turn to his marvelous Raj Quartet, which I still haven't finished reading, but hope to one day. Although it was difficult for me to relate to Alter's experiences around Mussoorie, he provided enough information, and in such an engaging way, that I almost felt I was there. And his interludes spent on leave in the U.S.A. with his family were also very well represented. I enjoyed this book enough that I am now reading another Alter book, Elephas Maximus. I will highly recommend All the Way to Heaven to anyone with an interest in India and in good writing. - Tim Bazzett, author of Reed City Boy