Macfarlane’s first book, published in 2003, is his love letter to a soulmate: mountains. The book is accurately subtitled “A History of a Fascination” as it not only documents his interest in those high and daunting places but also follows the history of human – western, specifically British – fascination with conquering mountains. The tales Macfarlane weaves throughout the book, some personal some historical, tell the story of danger, perseverance (often against better judgement) and individuals’ unquenchable hunger to ascend to those high places some see as a sort of heaven…

‘This is the human paradox of altitude: that it both exalts the individual mind and erases it. Those who travel to mountain tops are half in love with themselves, and half in love with oblivion.’

Mountains of the Mind by Robert Macfarlane

This is the 4th book by Macfarlane I’ve read and, as I’ve noted before, he writes with passion and knowledge while keeping his subject matter accessible to novices. This was, however, my least favourite. Perhaps because I don’t revere mountains in the same way; my fascination could be described as a fascination with the “picturesque”.

The question that came up for me throughout is why? More often than not “conquering mountains” is not the reality. Rather, it’s a desperate scramble to ascend and survive while sacrificing life and limb… To become a legend? To overcome the human instinct to self-preserve in order to preserve oneself in immortal story and memory? I’m still not entirely sure what to make of people pushing themselves, and others, beyond reasonable human limits to satisfy a displaced need.

My impression was that Macfarlane grappled with a similar underlying opinion throughout the book. I agree with his sentiment, but I was surprised that his exploration expressed opinions on the moralities of peoples’ choices which, I think, should be left up to the reader. My assessment, however, is a testament to the high expectations I have of Macfarlanes’ books, which I have found overall enjoyable and informative.

In summary, there were some interesting tales and it’s written in Macfarlane’s easy style. If you’re a mountaineer, or if you like the idea of mountaineering but prefer it as a flight of fancy rather than actually scaling ice and rock, then Mountains of the Mind might be enjoyable to you. Despite certain reservations, I could still appreciate the book for what it is: a ramble through the mountains in search of something you can’t quite put your finger on.

“[M]ountains, like all wildernesses, challenge our complacent conviction – so easy to lapse into – that the world has been made for humans by humans… One forgets that there are environments which do not respond to the flick of a switch or the twist of a dial, and which have their own rhythms and orders of existence. Mountains correct this amnesia… They pose profound questions about our durability and the importance of our schemes. They induce, I suppose, a modesty in us.”

Mountains of the Mind by Robert Macfarlane

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Thank you for visiting the Wild Library blog. You might also enjoy Underland and The Wild Places by Macfarlane.

Happy reading,

Chantelle