Reading Reflection

Reading Reflection #4
The Book: Everest
Author: Gordon Korman
Pages: 38-58


Another chapter another introduction. This time they peered into the mind of Tilt Crowley. This lead me to the realization of a text to self connection. Tilt Crowley was stuck with an agonizing paper route. I fully know the  feeling having stopped delivering news papers last spring. That job can drive anybody crazy. Of course, this doesn't add much extra sympathy for the character as he is still is as every bit as irritating and rude as he was before. Another text to self connection came with the leaving of a character who was cut, the memory of last February sprung back to mind.The comment this character makes when leaving is interesting. When Tilt points out that this character is leaving mixed feelings occur because though the person was well liked it freeze up room for the others to have a chance at Everest.

 A development that I found interesting was the precarious nature of the main character. Being first cut and then uncut only to serve the needs of the sponsors. By this I mean Dominic's staying was orchestrated so as to keep media attention on the Everest team. In this I share the opinion of the group leader whom did not wish to keep people whom he had no intention of using in boot camp when they could be cut and have their ordeals ended. Of course, though, the main character must remain in order for the story to continue.

Yet another interesting development is growing rift between the two remaining female candidates. Sammi and Bryn are the only two remaining female contestants and knowing that the expedition will most likely only be taking one of them.This creates a situation of rivalry and mistrust. I can not predict who is going to make it, although, I can state the only one is going to make it. I say this because the expedition is looking for one female climber. The best example for this rivalry is an incident described in chapter seven in which one of them finds herself in a poor situation do to a rookie mistake and the other hesitates to help thinking for a moment that this might be a good chance to eliminate the competition.  " If I leave you here and go for help, Cap could cut you for a beginner's mistake and then I've got a guaranteed spot on the team."

The final point of interest in this weeks readings is the description of a particular rock formation that is specifically referred to as being difficult to climb and none of the climbers manage to even pass their foot hold on the mushroom shaped rock. I predict that Dominic will be the only climber that will eventually scale it. This prediction is based on the fact that , first, there was a climber that found a grabbing spot more accessible then the one that Dominic was originally aiming for. Second, Dominic needs this sort of boost to actually make it as a real hopeful.

Overall, these two chapters have been very informative and captivating and I can't wait to read more.
Marc Vallee