“An engaging escapade with a feisty female lead.” – Kirkus Reviews“A beautifully written story. A must-read for those who are striving to fulfill their dreams…” – Seattle Book Review“An epic and gripping work of historical fiction… the perfect historical read for fans of pioneering heroes and tales of triumph over discrimination.” (Reader’s Favorite 5-Star Review) In the devastating aftermath …
In the devastating aftermath of the 1889 Great Seattle Fire, 19-year-old Anna Gallagher faces considerable pressure to marry well and soon. But she has no intention of giving up her freedom to keep house. She wants to be the first woman to summit Mount Rainier.
Anna’s grandfather couldn’t disapprove more. And after he discovers that she’s befriended a Duwamish woman in the forest, he threatens to disown her completely.
Still, her resolve to summit doesn’t waver until she meets a fisherman who seems to love adventure as much as she does. He’s not the kind of high society gentleman who could save their family’s finances after the fire, but he adores her and treats her like an equal.
Mountaineering through glaciers, avalanches, and frozen temperatures might cause Anna’s family to disown her forever. It might even ruin any future marriage prospects. But if she succeeds in reaching the icy peak, she could pioneer the way for women mountaineers, and create a new identify for herself, something she’s been longing for her whole life.
Inspired by the trailblazing women of the 19th century who dared to summit Mount Rainier, In Sight of the Mountain is a charming coming-of-age story, but it also casts the reader’s gaze upon issues of colonialism, class, and women’s far-too-narrow options.
more
The book’s dedication:
“More pleasure is to be found at the foot of the mountains than on their tops. Doubly happy, however, is the man to whom lofty mountain tops are within reach, for the lights that shine there illumine all that lies below.
—John Muir, from “An Ascent of Mount Rainier
.
.
.
It was an old Irish saying: “Your feet will bring you where your heart is.”
.
.
I really enjoyed this book! It was an excellent story. I I read it in just a few evenings because I had to know what happened.
.
.
This takes place in Seattle, WA, in the late 1800s, where a young gal longs to climb Mount Rainier, something that isn’t done by women in those days. But Anna has a dream that she isn’t willing to give up. In this book she is courted by men who just want a pretty face at the table and not much else, she becomes friends with an indigenous Indian person (through whom we learn about some of the injustices that have played out to that tribal group even to this day), and there’s a romance that develops in a special way. The story has some interesting twists. I very much enjoyed reading this tale. I’m looking forward to the sequel!
.This is a great book club read. I read it with one of my book clubs and we had some great discussion. The author joined us for one of our meetings and she was fascinating! I highly recommend if you or your bookclub want to read this story that you reach out to Jamie McGillen.
In Sight of the Mountain is Jamie McGillen’s debut novel. It takes place in the late 1800’s after the Great Seattle Fire. Anna is being pressured to conform to what it means to be a woman at her time, but her true dream is to be the first woman to summit Mount Rainier. u2063
u2063
Reviewu2063
In Sight of the Mountain is a book that’s easy to get caught up in. The writing makes the pages fly by. This book has it all with friendship, family, love, and adventure. I devoured the pages very quickly to take in this story of a brave woman for her time. Many topics were addressed like the rights of women and Native Americans just to name a few. It did read like a debut novel with a few questions that I still wanted answers to. I loved meeting all of the secondary characters and wish I got to know some more about them. Sometimes I felt like I only got to know some of the characters on a surface level. Overall this was a very pleasurable reading experience. If you have Kindle Unlimited, I’d highly recommend you give this book a try! u2063
u2063
4 stars! u2063
I ADORE this book.
So much so that I wrote a poem.
I want to share it with everyone.
Here it is:
Same time. Different day.
Just finished. Wished to say.
This book. A new favorite.
All day. Day-dreamy.
This book stole my heart.
I’m glad to have the sequel.
Now I don’t have to part.
With some of my new favorite people.
You see. I saw.
You enjoy rhyming poetry.
Berry bee. Raven caw.
The Mountain. Looms majestically.
A well-researched young adult novel that is filled with relatable characters. The story and setting had me feeling melancholy for the vintage TV series “Here Come the Brides.” A great story to share with young adults looking for a strong female lead character. The Pacific Northwest is a fantastic character in the story along with the indigenous people, the Great Seattle Fire, and not the least Mt. Ranier. Extra points for such a beautiful cover!
Hands down one of my favorite historical fiction! Anna is the woman I strive to be! Standing up for what I believe in no matter my gender. Her relationship with her grandfather tugs on my heart, love their bond and he has done to raise her. So if you’re looking for a book you won’t be able to put down that’s full of adventure, & romance look no further!!
The mountains are calling and I’m ready to seek them, in Jamie McGillens new book, “In Sight of the Mountain”. Being a mountaineering woman myself, the author transports you straight to the meadows and prairies with her vivid explanations. I could vision myself at the bottom of the mountain looking up at all it’s glory and light. Anna’s character is every woman mountaineer and I can’t wait to chase her adventures.
MUST READ!!! Especially if you live in the Pacific Northwest.
A beautifully written book with an equally beautiful cover. The coming of age story of a young woman determined to be the first to summit Mt Rainier. Strong female lead, indigenous representation, a cute love story that doesn’t leave the female relying on the male. What’s not to love? Such an ambitious and inspiring novel that leaves plenty for the remainder of the series (which I can also attest is incredible!!!). I have so much love for this amazing author – auto-buy for sure!
I really enjoyed this book! The main character, Anna, is a true inspiration to women everywhere that no matter what society says the path you’re supposed to be on doesn’t have to be the one you take. Believe in yourself and your dreams and you can do anything! For my full review you can visit my blog: https://ak-abi.com/2021/05/11/in-sight-of-the-mountain-book-review/
Anna Gallagher has been living in Washington territory with her brother and Grandfather from Russia. Her family wants to see her married to a respectable man (messing, has money). Anna herself longs for adventure. She has always loved looking at Mt. Rainier. She is determined to summit it one day.
Anna is a wonderful person. I love that she isn’t intimidated by the large responsibility of climbing and what it will take to do what she wants. I love her friendship with Heather and her daughter. I love that she didn’t fall for Connor or the guy who demeaned women but instead for Ben- who didn’t want to dampen her spirit of adventure. I was proud of her accomplishments on the mountain.
In the 1890s, women were expected to marry and start their home. However, Anna doesn’t follow that mold and while she isn’t opposed to love, she wants real love and to be able to continue to find adventure. She isn’t the type of woman to be cooped up creating a home. She has her sight set on the top. The top of the mountain that is. She sets out to find the funds, completes the training and pushes herself to places no woman has gone before. Along the way, she finds friendship in unlikely places, finds someone who loves her for her and stumbles upon a mini treasure hunt with a side of mystery.
On the Cat Scale: