51 pages • 1 hour read
Joe SimpsonTouching the Void: The True Story of One Man's Miraculous Survival
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1988A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Touching the Void by Joe Simpson recounts his and Simon Yates's near-fatal attempt to ascend the West Face of Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes, detailing the harrowing ordeal that followed Simpson’s broken leg and fall into a crevasse, his miraculous survival, and the complex dynamics of trust and moral decisions in extreme situations. This book includes graphic descriptions of injury and intense psychological distress.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Joe Simpson's Touching the Void captivates readers with its gripping, true account of survival against all odds. Praised for its detailed narrative and intense emotional depth, the book immerses audiences in the perilous world of mountaineering. However, some critique the dense technical jargon and occasional pacing issues. Despite this, it stands out as a powerful and harrowing tale.
Who Should Read Touching the Void?
An adventurer at heart, captivated by survival tales and human resilience, will devour Joe Simpson's Touching the Void. Fans of Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air and Cheryl Strayed's Wild will find this gripping mountaineering story equally enthralling, appreciating its intense portrayal of nature's challenges and triumphs of the human spirit.
RecommendedReading Age
14+yearsLexile Level
600L