The story in one page
Helen Wynton travels to Maloja, Switzerland, entering a world of luxury hotels and high-altitude hiking. She immediately finds herself caught between the persistent attention of a wealthy man named Bower and the calm, steady presence of an American named Spencer. While tourists climb glaciers and navigate the social pitfalls of the Engadine, a local guide named Stampa shadows Bower with a lethal, long-standing secret. As the weather turns treacherous on the peaks, the social tension and old debts finally erupt. Through a mix of mountain mishaps and decisive financial maneuvering, the rivals are silenced, allowing for a quiet wedding and a departure toward Italy.
Who's who
- Helen Wynton
An independent traveler who captures the attention of two rivals.
- Charles K. Spencer
An American with a stiff backbone who pursues Helen.
- Bower
A wealthy, arrogant man burdened by a hidden past.
- Stampa
A lame mountain guide with a lethal grudge against Bower.
What it's really about
- The weight of the past
- Secrets and old injuries dictate current choices.
- Alpine rivalry
- Mountains act as backdrops for personal competition.
Why it's memorable
- A guide with hair like Michelangelo's Moses waving a whip at mountain peaks.
- A glacier mist arriving with the speed of an express train.
The ending, explained
Spoilers — show the ending
Stampa is buried in the grave of his daughter, while Bower is left with a permanent limp and a checkbook. Helen and Spencer marry and depart for Italy, leaving the mountain drama behind.
For your book club
- Is the mountain the protagonist or just the scenery?
- Why does a five-thousand-pound check solve a human tragedy?