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Have you ever picked up a book just because the story seems so outrageous that you can’t imagine how the author could possibly, plausibly make it work?
“The Red Curtain” is one of those books. Its heroic premise — climbing impossible cliffs on Mars in a quest to help save humanity on Earth — captivates the imagination. Its characters are larger than life, as many climbers often are, especially the elite kind who populate the pages of this story, both men and women. But at the same time, they’re relatable to us regular humans here on Earth, as we root for their success on Mars. If you’ve ever looked up into the night sky and wondered whether we belong ‘out there,’ this book is for you. It doesn’t matter who you are — the author’s experience as a climber makes the narrative plausible and realistic for climbers, non-climbers, men, women, androids…. Heroic moments abound, like when Lieutenant Tyler saves the mission with some outstanding, grueling ice climbing. She and Commander Conrad are charged with solving Earth’s dilemma by finding the one element that can save it, high up on a cliff eight thousand feet above the surface of Mars. Conrad saves the mission despite broken bones and other major injuries. Even the press back on Earth plays its part in the vital mission, demonstrating a forbearance and understanding rarely seen in normal media. As humanity has proven over and over through the millennia, something is impossible only until someone with enough imagination comes along and makes it real. The author throws down the gauntlet here for the next generation to make this engaging, challenging concept a reality. It will happen, someday. That tickles the mind as you read this intriguing, totally plausible story of hope, optimism and belief in the future. |
Artwork for "The Red Curtain" was done by the talented Spanish artist and climber Karmelo Onate.
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