MOONSTONE HERO

In this novel, a mountainside medical emergency brings an unlikely group together.

Sklar’s book opens with a dedication to frontline workers, especially medical professionals, for their service during the Covid-19 pandemic. The author explains that he was inspired by the heroism he observed during the pandemic while writing the novel. The story follows Andrew, a medical student from Denver, who goes to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for a medical rotation. There, he decides to join a hiking group climbing Mount Kilimanjaro (“Africa’s highest mountain would be a test of his dedication and resolve”). At the time of the hike, Andrew finds himself questioning his place in the group as well as observing his intriguing fellow climbers: Danish couple Klaus and Kara; some German fitness entrepreneurs seeking to prove their vitality to investors; Eve, an enthralling, beautiful Peace Corps volunteer with her Stanford-educated boyfriend, Barry; and their local guides and porters Salaam, Mohammed, and Koba. When Barry develops a severe case of mountain sickness, Andrew and Koba must risk their lives to transport him to medical help. The tale centers on the conflicts and dynamics that emerge when the group faces this medical emergency. Will individual motivations interfere with the collective effort of saving a life? Sklar explores the aftermath of this difficult, life-changing event as Andrew and Eve confront complicated romantic situations, their lives intertwined irrevocably with those of their fellow climbers and each other. The swiftly paced novel deftly emphasizes themes of fear, compassion, and self-actualization. But facets of the story that relate to representation could have been improved. Characters from Africa in the tale are mostly referred to as African instead of disclosing their cultural backgrounds or nationalities. Eve, much fantasized about by the male players, seems like a fulfillment of the manic dream girl trope: Readers rarely see her reflect on her own career and personal life as much as on her romantic experiences with men. Still, the author adds some crucial nuances, making a point to include a conversation on Western ideas of Africa and how they differ from reality as well as how gender plays a role in women’s career expectations. The story’s greatest strength lies in its portrayal of how diverse lives intersect during an emergency.

A fast-paced, contemplative but uneven rescue tale.