Anita Shreve has the gift of transporting you into a different setting and “A Change in Altitude” is no exception. It also features her trademark – complex relationships.Her main character is a wife who’s followed her husband (a doctor) to Africa for a several year stay. She struggles with the politics, with her landlords’ snobbery, with the poverty and in her marriage.

After signing on with friends to make a vigorous mountain climb, she realizes just how weak and unprepared she is.

Her journey to find herself is the more intriguing portion of the book. This is not a “feel good” book that leaves you upbeat and laughing, but it is a good read.