I wanted to love this, the cover is stunning and I usually enjoy stories about mountain climbing, but it just didn't hold my attention and I had to DNF about halfway through.

A story that follows a female mountaineer on her saga to reclaim her mother's climbing legacy while finding out about herself and her limits.

Mysterium takes on a fascinating subject, the compulsion of climbers, and the allure of high altitudes. I particularly enjoyed the author’s description of the group dynamics. Her descriptions of Delhi and the climb to altitude were spot on, and made me feel like I was back in Nepal. Much of that descriptive brilliance, however, was wasted on non-essentials, and I felt that a heavier hand in editing would have made for a lighter, and more digestible narrative.

3.5 adventurous stars

I liked this story of people who challenged a mountain and through climbing it learned more about themselves and who they are. The descriptions of the scenery were done well. All the climbers from Sara to Dr Reddy and his son to Wilder Carson and his wife Vida, to Virgil Adams and his wife Hillary, to the Sherpas, made this story a harrowing tale. Everyone of the climbers had a history from Sara climbing to honor her mother who perished in a mountaineering episode, and the others we learn of the determination and drive one must possess to attempt a climb such as this where the weather and the sheer environment can kill you.

I stand in awe of people like those portrayed in this book. I have never or would I ever engage in mountain climbing even though I realize it is a feat that consumes some knowing full well the dangers that such a task can hold within it.

Mysterium, Mount Sarasvati, is part of the Indian Himalayas and is the tallest peak in that range. To climb to this peak is an achievement of great peril to the climbers. They suffer from lack of oxygen, the freezing cold, the constant fear of both falling and avalanches, and frostbite that inhabits their everyday. It makes one realize their frailty as they try to conquer what perhaps never should be conquered. It is also a place where one comes face to face with their own frailty, the ghosts that often haunts one, and the realization that life is often treacherous and dangerous.

The one issue I had with the book was that I felt it was too wordy, overwritten at times causing this reader to not become as engaged as one should be in a novel of this sort. I do appreciate the tone Ms Froderberg was trying to strike but at times I had to force myself to continue this journey. Perhaps better editing would have helped.

However, I do recommend this book to anyone who enjoys adventure, to those who relish the ultimate challenge, to those who set a lofty goal among the clouds.

Thank you to Susan Froderburg., Farrar, Straus and Giroux and NetGalley for a copy of this novel.

Exciting and heart pounding are two words that I would use to describe this wonderful book. Susan takes you along with her on her adventure and you feel as if you are there with her. If you love books about adversity, adventures and heart pounding excitement pick up this book because you will definitely enjoy it as much as I did. Happy reading!

A young woman, Sara Troy sets out to climb Mont Sarasvati in the Indian Himalayas to honor her mother who died on the mountain.

I’m not sure what I expected when I started reading Mysterium, some sort of adventure, perhaps, but whatever it was, I didn’t get it. Even had I been much more familiar with mountain climbing, I doubt I would have liked it more than I did. Somehow, instead of being what could have been a nail-biting adventure, it turned out to be mind-blowing tedious because the author must have forgotten why she set out to write this novel and ended up over-writing the entire book in an effort to impress readers with her knowledge, vocabulary, and her description abilities.

As someone who takes a vested interest in climbing and all things mountaineering, I was very excited to read this title. The depictions of the mountain, the work done on it and all of the technicalities were extremely interesting to me. However, I can see how if I were not someone who was interested in this sport, this book might become tedious at times. The narrative follows Sara Troy, whose mother perished in an attempt on Sarasvati, a mountain in the Himalaya. I enjoyed the character development and the arc of the relationships between these characters but I finished the book feeling like I wanted more. I felt as though there were tales left to tell and things left undone at the end of the book, however the writing itself was magical and the story very powerful.

3.5 mysterious stars to Mysterium!

The cover of Mysterium drew me in instantly. It reminded me of Denali/Mount McKinley in Alaska, which is glorious, and I have been fortunate enough to see in person; however Mysterium is actually India’s highest peak, Mount Sarasvati, located in the Himalayas.

Sara “Sarasvati” Troy lost her mother in a climbing accident, and she is now driven to climb India’s tallest peak for which she has been named. Sara’s father is a born climber, and he organizes the expedition for Sara. He picks a motley crew as part of the team with all kinds of interesting dynamics, including a father and son whose relationship is strife-ridden, and a recent widower and his former lover who is now married to another man also on the expedition. Of course, sherpas are also hired for their vast guidance.

As one can imagine, the journey is arduous and nail-biting. I could feel the adventurous spirit of the characters, the harsh wind on my face, and the tightness in my lungs due to altitude. Froderberg paints a stunning picture through her lyrical writing of the stark reality of such a climb.

Mysterium is an ode to climbing, while also an ode to life. It is shadowy, dream-like, and existential.

Thank you to Farrar, Straus, and Giroux for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.

Though fiction, this book was perhaps the most thoughtful, quiet, philosophical book about mountain climbing I've encountered. I don't mountain climb, personally, but the process horrifies and fascinates me, like caving or cave diving, and I'm drawn to stories of ascents and descents, tragedy and success, like moth to flame.

We are taken through every step of the process to climb a mountain, from choosing a party, to the slog of getting to the country and packing bags, to the trek to base camp with porters, goats, and Sherpas. We sit in tents with them as snow storms bury and whip exposed tents for days and days. We experience near misses with such apt description that we feel what slipping into a snow-hidden crevasse must feel like - the quicksand, the flail, the surprised falling. We feel the hardship, yes, but we also feel their unrelenting drive to ascend, to conquer, to test themselves. We feel the godlike respect and awe of the mountain.

I was so mesmerized by this work that I was up until 2am just to see if they'd summit, and if any might be lost. The tales of mountain tragedy are horrifying in their bleak incomprehensibility, having never desired to be on a mountain myself nor been on one, but this book really helps you see every element, every step, every love, every loss. Beautiful.

There are books out there that are easy to dislike, hate even, for sheer reason of them being what might universally be considered a pile of crap. And then there are books like these, ones that are technically good and fathomably appealing to some readers, but they just really don’t work for you. Mysterium is the latter. A thoroughly monotonous overwritten book about summiting the eponymous mountain. Mountain climbing is actually incomprehensible to me, so I figured maybe this book might explain the appeal, but no…it turned out to be as tedious and laborious as mountain climbing seems. Just a form of extreme masochism with some ego tripping thrown in. There is no conquering the mountain, like all forces of nature its complete indifferent to the puny lifeforms crawling up it, it’s just a peculiar way to prove something to yourself…is that it? A test of endurance? Is it that life has become so safe and comfortable that one experiences the need to risk life and limb (literally) to somehow become more alive? Must be, because these climbs aren’t cheap, so they seem to be solely attempted by those with too much money and the locally hired labor, the latter infinitely more adept and probably would never consider doing something like this without money involved. But whatever social commentary mountain climbing contains, this book isn’t about that, it’s more of a dreamily gauzily woven depiction of one specific brutal summit. The descriptions are vivid, but it’s all much too poetic for my liking and (possibly) for the subject also. Some of the imagery works, some comes across as pretentious…moon coming out of darkness like ova out of ovaries…seriously? And it’s difficult to care in general, traditionally when plots find characters in dangerous and difficult situations it makes for a very engaging narrative, like survivor stories. It’s considerably less engaging when the circumstances are completely and inexplicably self imposed. Again, there’s a very good chance this was a lovely very literary book for the right reader, but rule of thumb with me is…do I care? Am I invested? Can I wait to get back to it? And it’s just no, no, no. It read long, tedious even, and I was thrilled when it finally ended. There were some nice vocabulary building words, but that’s nowhere near enough of a payoff for such a slog. Mountain climbing’s appeal remains unexplained. Thanks Netgalley.

Mysterium is a fictional mountain in the Himalayas. A team of climbers and Sherpas attempt to climb it with unexpected outcomes. The novel lacked a tone of adventure and has more of a dream like quality to the narrative. I prefer a non fictional account of climbing.

Copy provided by the Publisher and NetGalley

Sarasvati “Sara” Troy and her philosophy professor father, Professor Troy and a group of friends set out to climb Mount Sarasvati, the mountain for which Sara was named. Her mother Amanda died on a climb when Sara was just a child about seven years old. Sara wants to climb the mountain in honor of her mother. Sara is in her mid-twenties. Mount Sarasvati is also known as Mysterium. Mysterium is located in the Indian Himalayans.

Each of the climbers has their own reason for joining the group. Some want to renew their relationships, some want to conquer the mountain; a father wants to re-bond with his almost estranged son. They argue among themselves for their own pints of view. The reader wonders if this group will actually get along long enough to climb the mountain.

The author's writing was so vivid that I could picture the mountain and India. The characters and plot were written in a way that kept me invested in both. I honestly did not expect much from this book, but am so glad that I read it!

4 and 1 / 2 stars

What a remarkable book and story. I personally have no desire to climb mountains, but I am in awe of those who do. The beauty, the hardship and the sheer determination of will all have me fascinated. This book is based on a true story.

Sarasvati “Sara” Troy and her philosophy professor father, Professor Troy and a group of friends set out to climb Mount Sarasvati, the mountain for which Sara was named. Her mother Amanda died on a climb when Sara was just a child about seven years old. Sara wants to climb the mountain in honor of her mother. Sara is in her mid-twenties. Mount Sarasvati is also known as Mysterium. Mysterium is located in the Indian Himalayans.

Each of the climbers has their own reason for joining the group. Some want to renew their relationships, some want to conquer the mountain; a father wants to re-bond with his almost estranged son. They argue among themselves for their own pints of view. The reader wonders if this group will actually get along long enough to climb the mountain.

Ms. Froderberg paints a vivid picture of the surroundings of India. The flora, fauna, weather, people, sights and sounds are all portrayed wonderfully in pictures painted by her words. Her prose is beautiful and almost lyrical.

As they journey to the summit of Mysterium , they face peril, hardship, altitude sickness, ghosts and most of all, they face themselves: their shortcomings and weaknesses.

This is a beautifully written novel. It reads in a straight line from Sara’s idea that they should climb Mysterium through to the mysterious end. It captures the wonder, beauty and sheer hardship that those undertaking such a trek face. I highly recommend this novel.

I want to thank NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for forwarding to me a copy of this beautiful and wondrous book for me to read and enjoy.

Apr 06, 2018 · edit
really liked it

Thank you Net Galley for the free ARC.
First off, I love mountain climbing books because the motivation of the characters is always intense and sometimes dangerously delusional. I also love books that are written in gorgeous English. Then combine the two and I am a happy reader.

In this book, obviously written with much thought, knowledge and research, a party of mountaineers tries to climb the mysterious mountain Sarasvati in the Himalayas. Sara - named after the mountain and the goddess, wants to climb it because this is where her mother died. Wilder, an expert climber, is still haunted by the death of his brother. All in the party have a motive for being there.

Right from the start things do not go well. The sherpas accuse some in the party for not honoring the mountain and refuse to carry on. Hillary makes a misstep and has to return with a broken ankle before they even leave the gorge. There are slides and avalanches. Will anybody make it to the top and more importantly, return alive?