Powerful ... Vasquez-Lavado’s memoir is many things. It is an adventure saga of her ascent of Everest; a vulnerable meditation on her childhood in Peru; and the tale of an immigrant’s journey to the United States. Above all, the book is Vasquez-Lavado’s reclamation of the truth behind the stories and secrets she had to learn to bear early ...The writing is cinematic ... Two timelines alternate and reinforce each other, like dual strands of a knotted rope. Vivid adventure scenes abound ... At the beginning of the climb, Vasquez-Lavado keeps company with Nepali women who were trafficked as children, voices I wish were more present throughout the book ... Herein lies the wisdom of this work, aptly subtitled 'A Memoir of Courage': In a world that demands us to harden, to tell stories of strength and triumph, the bravest act can be embracing our inner child, our fears, our truths.
A compelling, experience-rich read ... The final chapters, describing Vasquez-Lavado’s path to the summit, are nail-biting and, at times, painfully funny ... Her ability to capture the complexity of Everest is flawless and unflinching ... In the Shadow of the Mountain has all the elements a great memoir requires — a strong voice, cinematic prose, a hero to root for — in essence, an extraordinary story about an extraordinary woman’s life.
Triumphant ... Vasquez-Lavado recasts mountaineering, contrary to its macho reputation, as a feminist act ... Vasquez-Lavado’s story of struggle and survival is elevated by its faith in the power of women’s solidarity. Fans of Cheryl Strayed’s Wild should take note.
Complex and compelling, Vasquez-Lavado’s quest to heal herself from the deep wounds of patriarchy is also a vibrantly feminist celebration of female resilience ... An emotionally raw and courageous memoir.
