Above the Fire Audiobook By Michael O’Donnell cover art

Above the Fire

A Novel

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Above the Fire

By: Michael O’Donnell
Narrated by: Robert Fass
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An enthralling debut, Above the Fire crystallizes the relationship between a father and son as they survive a winter of isolation. Perfect for fans of The Dog Stars by Peter Heller and The Road by Cormac McCarthy.

Laboring under a shared loss, Doug and his young son, Tim, set out on a late season backpacking trip through the White Mountains of New Hampshire. They find beauty and solidarity in the outdoors, making friends along the trail and falling into the rhythms of an expedition. But when reports of warfare and social collapse reach the ranger station, Doug—seeking to protect the only family he has left—withdraws even further into the backcountry.

The alpine winter presents its own dangers, as father and son must endure the elements, the solitude, and the ever-present threat of outsiders. As their isolation intensifies, and the nature of the country’s disorder becomes more unsettling, their bond with each other grows more fierce. But as spring approaches, they must decide whether—and how—to confront the perils of a changed world.

©2023 Michael O'Donnell (P)2023 Blackstone Publishing Family Life Genre Fiction Literary Fiction
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Kept waiting for something - anything - to happen, and then it was over. I got this due to Audible’s comparing it to ‘The Road’ but besides a few brief moments of excitement I was left wishing something actually happened.

Don’t expect much of a story.

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Not bad, just could’ve been a lot better. The setting was perfect for a more suspenseful story.

Could’ve been a lot better

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this book kept my interest from beginning to end. such an interesting scenario for a family to go through

page turner

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such a gentle story of life with craziness all around. I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this book.
I purchased on a lark because of sales price and feel lucky to have found it.

Gentle story

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This is fabulous story about a father and a son as the world crumbles around them. Even a couple weeks after I finished this I’m still thinking of some of its quiet beauty. Do yourself a favor and fall into this book that feels like a both like a journey and a moment close to home.

Beautiful story that stays with you…

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It’s engaging from the start and the writing is so beautifully descriptive. A gripping and enjoyable story.

Loved this book

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I’m always looking for books like this. I have literally searched google and Reddit threads for books where someone or a group has to survive in a cabin against the elements. This book gives you all that and a sweet story between father and his young son. Highly recommend this reading and I was touched at the end where the author mentions he dedicated this book to his father who lived from 1946 to 2023. I have a father teaching the end that was born in 40 and it inspires me to go see and talk to him. I enjoyed the narrator as well. He has a calming effect on me when I hear his voice. Highly recommend. By the way you guys should consider turning this into a movie. Just seems like one of those independent movies that could win a bunch of awards and be done on a smaller budget.

Diamond in the rough

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This story of a father and his young son is woven beautifully around a probable catastrophe. Perfectly brought to a conclusion. The end of chapter 5 is enough to make you love this book!

Terrific!!

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I thought at the end I would at least find out what had happened to the world. This book was really slow and uneventful for the most part.

Unsolved Mystery

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Anxious middle-age man takes over a space and resources that are not his own. Bougie, entitled, Security obsessed. privileged. This is not a survival adventure story. This is unintentional satire of modern American culture

Flatlander turns prepper

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