Book Review: Miracle in the Andes
Miracle in the Andes by Nando Parrado
Many of you might recall that god-awful movie, Alive, in which a young Ethan Hawke stars as a rugby playing cannibal who eats his team after his plane crashes in the mountains of Chile. Okay, so I don’t entirely remember the specifics, but I do recollect the standard Hollywood sensationalization and crappy ending so many of these “based on a true story” movies are known for. I also recall one redeeming quality in the form of a small cameo by John Malkovich…surely the film’s shining moment.
Anyway, the character that Hawke portrayed is named Nando Parrado and is no more fictional than present-day rugby star, Dan Carter. Parrado had the misfortune of boarding the plane destined for disaster on October 12, 1972. This book, Miracle in the Andes, is a first hand account of the 72 day ordeal this young Uruguayan rugby player experienced while being trapped deep in the Andes Mountains. As is the case with most books, this one is much better than the movie (even though the movie was actually based on the 1973 novel with the same title).
In the beginning, the reader learns that there are 45 passengers on board the Fairchild F-227. This includes family, friends and players of the Montevideo-based Old Christians Rugby Club. The team is on their way to Santiago to play an exhibition match. Although the weather looks ominous, the plane pushes on. Midway through flight, severe turbulence occurs and within seconds the plane crashes down in the mountains, dismembering both wings and tail.
Following the accident, Parrado lay unconscious for three days. When he awakes he learns his best friend and mother are dead and his sister is nearly lifeless. Over a dozen others were killed, including the pilots. With little food and even less medical supplies the remaining survivors band together. Injuries are treated and alcohol is rationed. While the players wait for a search team, moral is high that they will be found. However, as time passes, no rescue is successful and through the eventual repair of a radio the team learns their search has been called of completely. They are trapped at 12,000 feet with no plausible escape route.
As would be expected, the longer the players are stranded, the more lives are lost. But it is through Parrado’s unexpected leadership that so many men do survive. This extraordinary man leads the reader through a first hand account of surviving hypothermia, avalanches and making the ghastly decision of eating human flesh. His miraculous 10-day trek out of the Andes still leaves me baffled. Two months of less-than-minimal nutrition and makeshift alpine gear (his snowshoes were made of airplane seat cushions) are his only defense in the harsh tundra. How he down climbed some of those peaks in his condition with no ropes still confounds professional climbers!
One might think the trite motives such as hope, determination and religion were what kept Parrado alive for so long. While they may have played a small part (barring religion – see chapter ten), Parrado emphasizes love as his impetus for survival. Love for his dead mother and sister. Love for his hardworking father. Love for his unknown future wife. “Death has an opposite, but the opposite is not mere living. It is not courage or faith or human will. The opposite of death is love…only love can turn mere life into a miracle, and draw precious meaning from suffering and fear.”
Miracle in the Andes is a book that every reader can find relevance in. A few of its themes include: death, despair, isolation, religion, maturity, friendship, cooperation, confidence and love. For me, this book simply makes me want to be a better person. It inspires me to work hard at all my relationships, treasure what already exists and strive for what I have yet to achieve. I think that you, too, should give it a chance. Even if you are not the kind of person to allow a book to influence you, at the very least it does have educational value.
Anyway, the character that Hawke portrayed is named Nando Parrado and is no more fictional than present-day rugby star, Dan Carter. Parrado had the misfortune of boarding the plane destined for disaster on October 12, 1972. This book, Miracle in the Andes, is a first hand account of the 72 day ordeal this young Uruguayan rugby player experienced while being trapped deep in the Andes Mountains. As is the case with most books, this one is much better than the movie (even though the movie was actually based on the 1973 novel with the same title).
In the beginning, the reader learns that there are 45 passengers on board the Fairchild F-227. This includes family, friends and players of the Montevideo-based Old Christians Rugby Club. The team is on their way to Santiago to play an exhibition match. Although the weather looks ominous, the plane pushes on. Midway through flight, severe turbulence occurs and within seconds the plane crashes down in the mountains, dismembering both wings and tail.
Following the accident, Parrado lay unconscious for three days. When he awakes he learns his best friend and mother are dead and his sister is nearly lifeless. Over a dozen others were killed, including the pilots. With little food and even less medical supplies the remaining survivors band together. Injuries are treated and alcohol is rationed. While the players wait for a search team, moral is high that they will be found. However, as time passes, no rescue is successful and through the eventual repair of a radio the team learns their search has been called of completely. They are trapped at 12,000 feet with no plausible escape route.
As would be expected, the longer the players are stranded, the more lives are lost. But it is through Parrado’s unexpected leadership that so many men do survive. This extraordinary man leads the reader through a first hand account of surviving hypothermia, avalanches and making the ghastly decision of eating human flesh. His miraculous 10-day trek out of the Andes still leaves me baffled. Two months of less-than-minimal nutrition and makeshift alpine gear (his snowshoes were made of airplane seat cushions) are his only defense in the harsh tundra. How he down climbed some of those peaks in his condition with no ropes still confounds professional climbers!
One might think the trite motives such as hope, determination and religion were what kept Parrado alive for so long. While they may have played a small part (barring religion – see chapter ten), Parrado emphasizes love as his impetus for survival. Love for his dead mother and sister. Love for his hardworking father. Love for his unknown future wife. “Death has an opposite, but the opposite is not mere living. It is not courage or faith or human will. The opposite of death is love…only love can turn mere life into a miracle, and draw precious meaning from suffering and fear.”
Miracle in the Andes is a book that every reader can find relevance in. A few of its themes include: death, despair, isolation, religion, maturity, friendship, cooperation, confidence and love. For me, this book simply makes me want to be a better person. It inspires me to work hard at all my relationships, treasure what already exists and strive for what I have yet to achieve. I think that you, too, should give it a chance. Even if you are not the kind of person to allow a book to influence you, at the very least it does have educational value.
1 comment:
I'm reeling at the effects this book has had on me.. I'm not a big reader but having been so struck by watching the documentary on TV I ordered it and simply couldn't put it down finishing it in a day and a half and wanting to read it again. A beautiful wrap on the preciousness of life and one mans love for all his Dad had given him...
Post a Comment