Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors by Piers Paul ReadAR Reading Level: 7.7
On the library stacks: Adult non-fiction
Recommended for: Grades 9+
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Years ago I saw this movie. I'm not sure I knew it was a book until recently, but reading this book is just as eye-opening as watching the film.
In 1972 a plane carrying a team of Uruguayan rugby players crashed in the Andes mountains on their way to Chile. 16 of the 45 people on board survived for 70 days on the snow-covered mountains by resorting to cannibalism. Eventually, the snow melted enough that two of the men were able to climb out and find help.
This is an incredible story. It is a little grisly, of course, but inspiring as well. I liked that it was written in the tone of a newspaper article. The author stuck with the facts and left moralizing out of it. This story is an amazing testament to our human will to survive and helped me to appreciate the gift of life even more.
Also reviewed by: The Book Nest ~ Your link here?
Book 89 of 100 for the 100+ Reading Challenge, Book 50 of 50 for the New Author Challenge
Source: BookMooch
5 comments:
I read this book for the first time more than 20 years ago. I was so moved by how strong the will to survive was and I suppose is in all of us.
Whew, I'm not sure I could handle the cannibalism.
I saw this movie long ago...I think I would really like the book.
I'm glad you appreciated it too :)
I am sure there is a movie with the same theme. I have seen parts of it. I found the cannibalism part horrifying in the movie!
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