BANNER IN THE SKY

The combination of name, fame and a subject of current interest should provide the perfect prescription for a story based on the scaling of the Matterhorn in 1865. But, somehow, Ullman is making too obvious an effort to adjust to this age group, and the outcome suffers in loss of the spiritual force characteristic of his writing generally. While there is a holding picture of the expedition itself, his attempt to convey the awe and reverence felt by Rudy Matt, 16-year old guide hero, is trite. The setting is a Swiss border town. An English climber, Captain Winters, has confidence in Rudy's ability, but the outcome is imperilled by Rudy's struggle against his family's fears that he may die as his father had died before him, and by the opposition of Saxo, ruthless rival guide from a neighboring town. And always there is the mountain itself. The finale is a foregone conclusion, with Rudy's victory and Saxo's failure. But the techniques emerge rather than the emotional. Disappointing.