While I enjoyed the realistic and educational descriptions of the trek through the Alps, it was unrealistic that foreigner Jim, described as inexperienced in that region, would have raised his hand to help the sisters he had just met. I also thought that he should have gotten serious frostbite from plunging in a mountain lake during the harsh winter. Despite these negatives the author demonstrated excellent vocabulary and analogy skills. On a final note the "runaway" and much younger man participated in a strange relationship that gave me the heebie jeebies and the totally annoying cough detail seemed unnecessary. On a positive note it was a fast read and a bargain price.