Customer Reviews

Beyond the Summit

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Author Linda LeBlanc, who began leading treks to Mt. Everest in Nepal 19 years ago, has captured the spirit of this remote Himalayan state and its Sherpa people in her novel "Beyond the Summit" with compassion, accuracy and fine prose.

When Beth flies into the Kathmandu Valley on a writing assignment in the first chapter, Le Blanc begins leading her readers into the high country of risk, romance and adventure with the assurance of an experienced guide.

As her plane lands, Beth shrieks, "Finally, after endless years of waiting, I'm here." Her dream: to see Nepal up close and personal while writing an article about the Sherpa people. Dorje, the young Sherpa who serves as her guide and translator, met Sir Edmund Hillary and his Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay on their return from the summit of the "Mother Goddess of the World" years ago. His dream, since the age of five: to become the "Tenzing of the future" and climb the 29,028-foot (8,848-meter) Mt. Everest.

Dorje, already in a strained relationship with his proud, conservative father, increases family friction by working for the well-paying climbers and trekkers whose money and values threaten the Sherpa culture and traditions. The tension increases when Beth and Dorje become romantically involved even though each of them is promised to another.

The love of two people from diverse cultures is the fiery centerpiece of a novel that leads its readers on an exciting journey through harshly beautiful and dangerous territory to the roof of the world.

"Beyond the Summit" is a beautifully written story about a young Sherpa and an American woman. It vividly describes the often forgotten life and traditions of the Sherpa. There have been many books written about the Mount Everest trekkers, but we don't often hear about nor comprehend that without the Sherpa's support, there wouldn't be an ascent. "Beyond the Summit" goes beyond the Trek, it goes to the heart of a Sherpa's life.

Both Beth and Dorje have a dream. Beth, an American Journalist, is in Nepal to write a story about the life of a Sherpa. Dorje goes against tradition to pursue his dream of making it to the "Top of the World". Having met Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay when he was but 5 years old, he has held his dream of being another Tenzing.
Dorje and Beth's world come together in a beautifully written story of love and tenderness, tradition and adventure.

This book is filled with adventure that keeps you at the edge of your seat. I felt like I knew what Dorje was feeling and what his family was going through. I learned so much about the life of a Sherpa: their traditions, their food, their lifestyle. This heart wrenching novel gives life, understanding, and respect to the Sherpa. I cried for Dorje and Beth's happiness and I cried for their loss. Beyond the Summit is a `must read'.

I loved this book from beginning to end and couldn't put it down. The storms, the climb, the cultural conflicts, the Sherpa culture and Buddhism, the passionate love affair between an American and Sherpa guide gripped me. The author drew me into the lives of the characters so deeply that I rejoiced when they did and cried with them. Rarely have I felt such empathy. My husband read it too and had the same reaction. It speaks to both men and women.

This was a wonderful book to read. I've been to Nepal, and I recognize that Ms. LeBlanc has really done a great job of describing the people, the landscapes, the Buddhist religion, and the crazy tourists. The Sherpas are so special, and she did well explaining their love of their land and people. There is also the added delight of a fine romance between an American author and a Sherpa guide, overlying the tale. I don't think there are many books like this one that tell about the climbing from a Sherpa's perspective; usually the emphasis is on the climber, and I liked the way this book told its tale from both the woman's viewpoint as well as the Sherpa's. A good read, hard to put down.

This adventure about Sherpas of the Everest region is gripping from beginning to end. It has something for everyone. Sherpa culture and its changes, Buddhist practices, Everest climbs from a porter's point of view and a love affair between a Sherpa and an American are expertly woven throughout the story. This is a great read from a number of perspectives.

This fictional story about the Sherpas of the Mt. Everest region of Nepal is highly entertaining and informative. I am planning a trek to Everest base camp and this book provided invaluable insight into my future experience. I have become very interested in the Sherpa culture, food, religion, etc. since reading this book. (Prayer flags fly from my balcony now). Linda does a good job telling about the Everest experience from the Sherpas point of view rather than the climber's. There are many books written about the climber's experiences but few about the Sherpa experience. The Sherpa have been gaining support from many who have visited their country. The love affair between a Sherpa and an American writer is thoughtfully threaded though the Everest and Sherpa fabric so that it is not overbearing. I enjoyed having a glossary of terms in the back. A must read for climbers and trekkers and all who love outdoor adventure.

There are many adventure/love stories but few that cover a world that is so remote and different from ours in the west. I could "see" the mountains, "hear" the yaks, "feel" the cold, and "long" for a love so deep.The story carries to you to the land of Everest and the Sherpas in an interesting and fast paced adventure. Although fiction, it seems as if these characters are somehow known to the author and may in fact be real people with the names changed for privacy. I dare you top begin and put the novel down once begun.

Great book. The detail about the Sherpas' lives could have only been written by someone who had been there. Really takes you to a completely different place and culture and lets you live it. Great read.

Beth is an American jouranlist coveirng Nepal, Dorje is a young Sherpa who aspires to climb great summits - even at the risk of alienating his family. His search for modernity in a primitive culture and her search for love and meaning in life blend in BEYOND THE SUMMIT, a hard-hitting blend of adventure and romance which deserves a spot in any serious fiction collection.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Thousands your book buyers who LOVE NEPAL and have been there and thousands of others who "wanna go" will love to learn about this exquisitely described Himalayan cross cultural romance and death defying Everest climb. It is a first novel/tale from the Sherpa point of view. I hardly did anything else but read once I opened the book. It took me to places I had experienced in my own trekking boots many times.

Joyce Tapper, Los Angeles