Stephen Alter’s latest brings in the spiritual, mystical, natural aspects of the Himalayas and the lessons the towering mountains can teach you

HERE’S GOOD news for author Stephen Alter’s readers as he adds another feather to his cap after the success of his espionage thriller The Rataban Betrayal. Alter’s latest book, a result of four years of hard labour, Becoming A Mountain: Himalayan Journeys in Search of the Sacred and the Sublime that hit the stands last November is based on a topic close to the author’s heart. The book beautifully blends mythology, science, and the historical and natural history of the Himalayas.

For someone who grew up steeped in love and lore for the mountains and mountaineering from an early age, Alter reveals how Becoming A Mountain was inspired by treks he took to three sacred mountains: Nanda Devi, which he approached from several angles but didn’t climb; Kailash which he circumambulated on foot; and Bandarpunch, which he attempted to climb on two occasions. “Each of these challenging journeys was undertaken out of a need to overcome tragedy and trauma and seek the contentment and absolution that only the Himalayas can offer,” he adds.

Alter’s fascination with the Himalayas makes the reader wonder how mountains, which are, after all, made of ice and rock, exert and inspire one’s imagination to such degree. The allure of the unknown is gently brought to the forefront as he takes his readers on an arduous trek through central Himalayas and the Tibetan plateau.

As for the interesting title of the book, Alter explains, “The title suggests that the only way to understand and appreciate a mountain is to allow yourself to be completely absorbed by its presence.”

The book makes for excellent reading for those who are interested in the Himalayan region as a place of exploration and adventure. It is also a must-read for those who consider their bond with the mountains as an opportunity for self-discovery and learning not only for themselves, but for their children as well. It will appeal to those who are looking for some spiritual or mystical experience, peeling back layers of reality and myth in an untouched, sacred landscape.