Official Review: Looking Beyond the Pass by E.K. Hughes
Posted: 07 Jul 2014, 11:56
[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Looking Beyond the Pass" by E.K. Hughes.]
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Never before have I ever cried while reading a book... never.... until I read beyond the pass by E.K. Hughes. I couldn't believe it myself as the tears rolled down my face. Maybe it was because the story, although fictional, was based around true events. Even so, the author's personal attention to detail and the delicate way in which the story was told was beyond riveting and allowed me to feel an emotion I had never experienced so extremely before while reading... genuine pain.
The story centers on the real life story of the Dyatlov pass incident which took place in 1959 about the skiing and hiking expedition of nine young Russians to Mount Ortoren. The author diverts somewhat from the factual events of this, in her fictional account of a love story between one of the nine members involved in the incident-- Rustem Slobodin. The story follows Anna - a 20 year old physics major in university, on her journey to falling in love with gorgeous athlete Rustem. Once a seeming 'prude' Anna is changed by 'just one look' at Rustem and following on from that, her life is truly never the same. The time they spend together is filled with tender affectionate moments and sensational passions that will leave readers truly inspired about the prospect of love. But these events lead up to something so shocking, that Anna is left with no choice but to come to turns with the new turn her life has to take.
Even though I found it to be somewhat unrealistic how, from just meeting Rustem at first glance, Anna suddenly changes her whole outlook on life and her entire morals that go with it, as I read on, the book redeemed itself with the beautiful love story that grew between Anna and Rustem. Reading their dialogue with one another and their actions towards one another, I found myself actually blushing 'out loud' because their relationship was just so adorably sweet! Rustem was unbelievably charming and I fell in love with his character entirely because of his endearing flirtatious behavior and the way he cared so deeply for Anna. Even though Rustem was likable to a prince charming in this book which is very hard to come by in real life, his relationship with Anna still had an overwhelming sense of authenticity to it which every girl who meets a guy can relate to on some level. And that is a huge testament to the author in her ability to create this dichotomy. But because it was clear to me about the sad events that would follow -- there was a dark cloud hanging over every line I read about Anna and Rustem's relationship. However surprisingly it makes their love story even sweeter to read... and every passionate moment i read about them, more intense. And whilst coming to the end of the book, the only thing their sweet interactions did was make me cry cry cry!
As well as loving Anna and Rustem's relationship, I must say that the prologue was so beautiful written and it really served its purpose in hooking me into the book from the start. But as I got into reading the actual chapters it felt like the author's writing style became more rushed. Still I didn't think it mattered or detracted hugely from the story. Because what carried this book and made it so exceptional for me was the beautiful and captivating way the author intertwined real facts and events with this beautiful love story between Anna and Rustem. It consequently produced such compelling and believable series of events that I had to google the fictitious parts of the book to double check they really only were fiction!
I also adored how the author managed to give the other victims of the Dyatlov pass incident, their own unique personalities and I admired the way she went to great lengths to show their strong friendship bonds, from their camping expeditions to them just hanging out at the bar or in their homes together. It's those kind of warm fun-loving moments written by the author, that every young person wishes for in a friendship group and it once again made the story more real to me.
The author must also be commended in her attempts to place her own take on what actually happened to the victims of the Dyatlov pass incident. The little she wrote about it was very true to the original conspiracy theories and the author's execution was enthralling, moving and also wonderfully written.
Oh and the ending! By ending, I mean the very last chapter and the epilogue. I don't think words can describe the level of emotions it evoked in me sitting their and reading it. Although deeply painful, it still was able to do justice to such a sad story and bring a comforting conclusion to the tragic events. So much so, that I am now happy to imagine the ending as real for my own sense of comfort every time I think about tragic Dyatlov pass incident. Also the subtle little jokes between Rustem and Anna came to have so much meaning in the end which I thought was so beautifully written. And that is the reason why I am again now crying whilst sitting here, writing this review! Those parts were truly nothing more than stunning!
I think the only tiny (and I mean very tiny!) thing that I actually disliked about this book was the fact that it was written in the third person but Anna talked to herself out loud a lot and the author used full-on speech marks to convey this. For some reason it was annoying to me and just seemed so weird. I would have preferred it if Anna thought things rather than said it aloud to herself so weirdly. But I overlooked it because it did not take away from the magnificent love story that had me thoroughly inspired and hopeful about how wonderful love can truly be. So definitely I am giving this book 4 out of 4 stars. For the fact that it was able to make me cry and the beautiful way Hughes executed such a sad story, this book deserves nothing less.
***
Buy "Looking Beyond the Pass" on Amazon
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The story centers on the real life story of the Dyatlov pass incident which took place in 1959 about the skiing and hiking expedition of nine young Russians to Mount Ortoren. The author diverts somewhat from the factual events of this, in her fictional account of a love story between one of the nine members involved in the incident-- Rustem Slobodin. The story follows Anna - a 20 year old physics major in university, on her journey to falling in love with gorgeous athlete Rustem. Once a seeming 'prude' Anna is changed by 'just one look' at Rustem and following on from that, her life is truly never the same. The time they spend together is filled with tender affectionate moments and sensational passions that will leave readers truly inspired about the prospect of love. But these events lead up to something so shocking, that Anna is left with no choice but to come to turns with the new turn her life has to take.
Even though I found it to be somewhat unrealistic how, from just meeting Rustem at first glance, Anna suddenly changes her whole outlook on life and her entire morals that go with it, as I read on, the book redeemed itself with the beautiful love story that grew between Anna and Rustem. Reading their dialogue with one another and their actions towards one another, I found myself actually blushing 'out loud' because their relationship was just so adorably sweet! Rustem was unbelievably charming and I fell in love with his character entirely because of his endearing flirtatious behavior and the way he cared so deeply for Anna. Even though Rustem was likable to a prince charming in this book which is very hard to come by in real life, his relationship with Anna still had an overwhelming sense of authenticity to it which every girl who meets a guy can relate to on some level. And that is a huge testament to the author in her ability to create this dichotomy. But because it was clear to me about the sad events that would follow -- there was a dark cloud hanging over every line I read about Anna and Rustem's relationship. However surprisingly it makes their love story even sweeter to read... and every passionate moment i read about them, more intense. And whilst coming to the end of the book, the only thing their sweet interactions did was make me cry cry cry!
As well as loving Anna and Rustem's relationship, I must say that the prologue was so beautiful written and it really served its purpose in hooking me into the book from the start. But as I got into reading the actual chapters it felt like the author's writing style became more rushed. Still I didn't think it mattered or detracted hugely from the story. Because what carried this book and made it so exceptional for me was the beautiful and captivating way the author intertwined real facts and events with this beautiful love story between Anna and Rustem. It consequently produced such compelling and believable series of events that I had to google the fictitious parts of the book to double check they really only were fiction!
I also adored how the author managed to give the other victims of the Dyatlov pass incident, their own unique personalities and I admired the way she went to great lengths to show their strong friendship bonds, from their camping expeditions to them just hanging out at the bar or in their homes together. It's those kind of warm fun-loving moments written by the author, that every young person wishes for in a friendship group and it once again made the story more real to me.
The author must also be commended in her attempts to place her own take on what actually happened to the victims of the Dyatlov pass incident. The little she wrote about it was very true to the original conspiracy theories and the author's execution was enthralling, moving and also wonderfully written.
Oh and the ending! By ending, I mean the very last chapter and the epilogue. I don't think words can describe the level of emotions it evoked in me sitting their and reading it. Although deeply painful, it still was able to do justice to such a sad story and bring a comforting conclusion to the tragic events. So much so, that I am now happy to imagine the ending as real for my own sense of comfort every time I think about tragic Dyatlov pass incident. Also the subtle little jokes between Rustem and Anna came to have so much meaning in the end which I thought was so beautifully written. And that is the reason why I am again now crying whilst sitting here, writing this review! Those parts were truly nothing more than stunning!
I think the only tiny (and I mean very tiny!) thing that I actually disliked about this book was the fact that it was written in the third person but Anna talked to herself out loud a lot and the author used full-on speech marks to convey this. For some reason it was annoying to me and just seemed so weird. I would have preferred it if Anna thought things rather than said it aloud to herself so weirdly. But I overlooked it because it did not take away from the magnificent love story that had me thoroughly inspired and hopeful about how wonderful love can truly be. So definitely I am giving this book 4 out of 4 stars. For the fact that it was able to make me cry and the beautiful way Hughes executed such a sad story, this book deserves nothing less.
***
Buy "Looking Beyond the Pass" on Amazon
I know the 'falling in love with one look' thing doesn't supposedly happen, but I experienced it in college (it turned out to be falling in infatuation), but it literally took one look, and it was the weirdest thing I've ever felt! And I totally changed the next day (won't bore you with details), but to this day, I wonder why it happened. So, the main character's kismet scene is based on me. I appreciate your comments about third vs. first person. The majority of books I read growing up were written in third, and when I'd read a first person book, I felt weird. I've gotten used to first person, but I think I was trying to copy my favorite author's style. Oh well! I'm not an author, but I guess I did pretty good at my first (and only) writing attempt. Again, thanks for the review!
