A young girl is sexually abused and it sets her on a trail of destruction. Seemingly successful on the outside, Silvia abuses alcohol and herself. through climbing mountains she attempts to heal. The story is well written but there is not a lot of tension.b the childhood recollections are a difficult subject. Sad at times and triumphant at others.. Somewhat predictable and straight forward but worth reading.

Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley

There are few things I love more than an audiobook memoir narrated by the author. Who’s with me?

There is just something so tender and authentic about listening to somebody share their life story with their own cadence, tone, and raw emotion.

With vulnerability and resolve, Silvia Vasquez-Lavado shares her history of childhood sexual abuse and how it led her to climb Mounr Everest in her memoir, IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOUNTAIN. Silvia is transparent about her mistakes fueled by her alcohol addiction, her sexuality, and her attempt to make meaning of her hardships.

I found it so moving that Silvia ultimately led other survivors of sexual abuse in their own journeys to Everest. If you enjoy stories of resilience, adventure, and moving forward after trauma this will be a good pick.

A big thank you to Netgalley Henry Holt and Co. for an electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In the Shadow of the Mountain is one of those books that you weren't expecting and that will stay with you for many years resonating with all the things you learn and making you feel alive. this is the case of the Memoir of Silvia Vazquez a book that will change your life and will stay with you forever.

Silvia Vazques was living in Peru her home town when she was just a kid, she was a happy child until someone betray the trust of her parents hurting her in the most terrible way, sabotaging her mind and her life in a way she didn't understand until she had the notion of it. she grew up thinking she was trash, that she didn't have any value, because that's what this man-made her believe.

Silvia left her home, as soon as her mother knew what had happened to her she was a force of light in Sylvia's life the only one who love her fiercely. Silvia's father was the typical Latin macho, thinking his word was the only thing that counted, immerse in his work he didn't care about anything else, he hurt Silvia and her mother in many ways, physically and verbally making them feel like they didn't have any choice in this matter only to receive the blows and the hurt.

In the shadow of the mountain is the story of many young children who are taken against their will and trafficked and abused around the world this is the case of India, Nepal and many countries who treat and see women as a mistake as a burden and they opt to sale them like a piece of meat. I've heard many stories, especially from India and China how they treat women and how young girls are sold and trafficked because they're unwanted or their religion and culture see them as weak as if they don't have any saying or opinion in any matter. this is so sad and at the same time enraging that we still live like if we were in the 1800's

Silvia move to the US with her siblings and started a new life working trying to forget what happened and trying to find out who she was. in the meantime, her sexuality and her preferences are changing she is finding herself in the middle of her chaos and her new life. she falls in love hard with a beautiful soul Lori only to lose everything in a blink of an eye..

Everything was lost when the love of her life was no longer walking on this plane.

Silvia is ready to conquer her own demons and finally see the light. she decides to guide other women to Everest, women from all over the world Mexico, Nepal India, and many other places, women who suffered the same abuse and are searching for meaning and to find themselves after they lost so much. Silvia is determined to finally quiet those voices in her mind that kept following her around, with sad and past memories, she knows by climbing "The Mother, Chomolungma" aka Everest will help her to see and understand herself more.

I really didn't like Segundo, Silvia's father he really was the real stereotypical macho man, I still don't understand how he never realizes what was happing in his own home but I know is because as Silvia says he was always so immersed in his work not caring what was happening around.

Silvia's mother was a beautiful soul, I have to say that this is the first time I read a story of a survivor who still has a beautiful relationship with her mother and that was not eclipsed or ruined by the evil perpetrator of the terrible pain Silvia was going through. she was a wonderful woman just by reading Silvia's words makes you feel like she was a star 🌟

This is going to be one of my favorite books of 2022, this book showed me so much, many things that I didn't know but also made me understand what is happening all around us. Silvia's story made me cry and laugh, made me care, and feel the need to help to do something that will help others.

I can keep going but I don't want to give more away, overall it was mindblowing, earth-shattering, and super start bright

Thank you, Henry Holt & Company, Henry Holt and Co, Netgalley, and Silvia Vazquez for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Just flew through this memoir by Silvia Vasquez-Lavado about climbing mountains to cope with the trauma of sexual abuse and alcohol addiction. Raw and fast-paced, I could not put this book down.
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I seek outdoor adventure stories, but few center POC and women. In the book, Vasquez-Lavado intersperses stories about climbing Everest with her childhood in Peru. The book goes into graphic detail about Vazquez-Lavado’s childhood sexual abuse by a family friend and physical abuse by her father. She leaves her native Peru for the United States to escape this life. She describes her career rising through the Silicon Valley as a functioning alcoholic.
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In addition to the emotional aspects of this book, I enjoyed learning about life in Peru and the technical aspects of mountaineering.
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Thanks to @netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow reading this book was a visceral experience. The author went through so much in her life and to be able to recount all the highs and lows with such clarity and insight is remarkable. Weaving back and forth between past and present was well done. Usually I'd be more interested in hearing about her seven summits but her life experiences were so gripping to read about that I found myself caring more for the person than for the adventure

Wow! I finished this book minutes ago and had to write something down while all the feelings are fresh, tears running down my face.

"In the Shadow of the Mountain", Sylvia Vasquez-Lavado shares her story of her summiting Mt. Everest. Seems simple and maybe like an adventure novel. But, it was so much more than that. She is not alone. She has brought a group of young women with her that are survivors of sexual assault on the trip to Base Camp (a 10-day trek). She also courageously shares her history of being molested as a young girl, her and struggle with alcoholism.
The chapters alternate between her story growing up and then her trek up Mt. Everest which was a nice way too alternate the emotions and the adventure.

Sylvia tells her story so intimately and honestly, it almost felt like you were staring at her open flesh. Her history and journey has a brought her to the decision to climb Everest but, it also gives her the tools to do what few have done.

This book is powerful, honest and inspiring! Loved it!