East of the Mountains

By: David Guterson

Narrated by: Don Hastings

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • From the award-winning, bestselling author of Snow Falling on Cedars comes ”a strikingly joyful book and a monumental achievement” (The Philadelphia Inquirer) about a dying man’s final journey through the American West.

When he discovers that he has terminal cancer, retired heart surgeon Ben Givens refuses to simply sit back and wait. Instead he takes his two beloved dogs and goes on a last hunt, determined to end his life on his own terms. But as the people he meets and the memories over which he lingers remind him of the mystery of life’s endurance, his trek into the American West becomes much more than a final journey.©1999 David Guterson; (P)1999 Random House, Inc., Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, A Division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

“A compassionate and masterful achievement.” —San Francisco Chronicle

”A strikingly joyful book and a monumental achievement.” —The Philadelphia Inquirer

“In describing the world of a dying man, Guterson invokes the ultimate book of suffering–then, to his great credit, offers it here as a consolation rather than despair.” –The Boston Sunday Globe

“The writing is wonderful throughout, the characters are vivid…heartfelt, engaging and well drawn.” —The Miami Herald

“Profound and ambitious. . . . Guterson depicts . . . moral and spiritual struggle with a clear-eyed intensity and intelligence that gives East of the Mountains its essential authority.” —Chicago Tribune

“The shape is elegant, the tone is perfectly controlled, almost cool, and Guterson’s prose shines with [a] taut polish. . . .[He] is a craftsman with a sense of literary history, one of the most serious and accomplished young American writers.” —The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

“Guterson possesses a remarkable gift for capturing people and places, etching them into the reader’s mind.” —USA Today

“This book would be a challenge to praise too highly. It resounds with clarity. It feels like home.” –The San Diego Union-Tribune

“[Guterson] has produced a clean, unpretentious and expert piece of work, filled with the immediate beauty of everyday life and the desolation of leaving it behind.” —The Washington Times

“Wonderfully written, tender toward its characters, and full of incident and insight.” –Men’s Journal

Great premise, too short and missed opportunity

After reading Snow Falling on Cedars, I thought his would be as wonderful, and it was all the way up to the middle where it ended suddenly. It's as if the author got distracted by something else and just decided to end this without the depth it deserved.

Beautiful. Evocative.

David Guterson is a master storyteller. Paints a picture with words like no other. This book was narrated perfectly.

Narration is excellent. The

This is my first audio book. The reader's voice is excellent. The story is engaging and I found myself captivated listening.

Flawed but atmospheric

At the outset, i have a bone to pick with Amazon. I bought this in part because the graphic says "Performed by Edward Hermann" who is a fine actor. The reading was fine, but it's by Don Hastings- OK, but not Ed Hermann. I kinda feel ripped off.

Story of a dying doctor on what is ostensibly a suicide hunting trip. Spoiler - the trip doesn't go as intended. No one exactly pins down the year of the story, but based on thing the characters say, it's sometime mid to late 1990s. This makes the free spirited young couple in the VW bus seem misplaced in time by 20-30 years.

Gutterson does a great job describing scenery, the angst and excitement of young lust, and the flashbacks to WWII and the early 40s. I thought the plot stretched credibility at the dog scene (if you listen, you'll figure out the one I mean) and goes off the rails after the bus ride. Your mileage may vary.

If you are expecting Snow Falling on Cedars, this isn't it. Worth a listen but I'd wait for a sale rather than spend a credit. If you are a fan of Edward Hermann, don't bother.

Beautifully written

Evocative language and wonderfully detailed storytelling. I will be reading more from David guerdon for sure.