The Eight Mountains

A Novel

By: Paolo Cognetti

Narrated by: Jacques Roy

Length: 6 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

*The book that inspired the film The Eight Mountains*

For fans of Elena Ferrante and Paulo Coelho comes a moving and elegant novel about the friendship between two young Italian boys from different backgrounds and how their connection evolves and challenges them throughout their lives.

“Few books have so accurately described the way stony heights can define one's sense of joy and rightness...an exquisite unfolding of the deep way humans may love one another” (Annie Proulx).

Pietro is a lonely boy living in Milan. With his parents becoming more distant each day, the only thing the family shares is their love for the mountains that surround Italy.

While on vacation at the foot of the Aosta Valley, Pietro meets Bruno, an adventurous, spirited local boy. Together they spend many summers exploring the mountains’ meadows and peaks and discover the similarities and differences in their lives, their backgrounds, and their futures. The two boys come to find the true meaning of friendship and camaraderie, even as their divergent paths in life—Bruno’s in the mountains, Pietro’s across the world—test the strength and meaning of their connection.

“A slim novel of startling expansion that subtly echoes its setting” (Vogue), The Eight Mountains is a lyrical coming-of-age story about the power of male friendships and the enduring bond between fathers and sons. “There are no more universal themes than those of the landscape, friendship, and becoming adults, and Cognetti’s writing becomes classical (and elegant) to best tell this story…a true novel by a great writer” (Rolling Stone Italia).

©2018 Paolo Cognetti (P)2018 Simon & Schuster Audio

Critic reviews

“A fine book, a rich, achingly painful story that is made for all of us who have ever felt a hunger for the mountains. Few books have so accurately described the way stony heights can define one's sense of joy and rightness. And it is an exquisite unfolding of the deep way humans may love one another.” (Annie Proulx)

A story about human relationships

I have recommended this to my children and parents.

I enjoyed the progress of this story and the characters.

Great Novel

This was an excellent story that kept me
listening - finishing it within two or three days. It was well written, well read, and left me with many things to think about.

A Mountain High!

This has been my favorite Audible book. Totally engaging throughout, with a dramatic ending. I haven’t seen the movie yet, but hope that it will equal the book’s magnificent story about ordinary lives and powerful friendship.

Must Read!

This is an absolute masterpiece! I've read it twice already, and just purchased the audio version. I also sent it to a friend of mine for his birthday. We grew up under similar circumstances. so now I'm just going to start calling him Pietro!

Achingly beautiful book about the mountains, families, and friendship

I don’t think I’ve enjoyed a book this much since I read Of Mice And Men in high school.

On the surface, this is the story of two boyhood friends who spend their summers together in the Italian Alps. But just beneath the surface, in the subtext, it is a poignant tale of regret, missed opportunity, relationships, and loss.

Pietro, a boy who grows up in big city Milan, never develops the same passion for mountaineering that obsesses his father; however, his best friend, Bruno, does. After Pietro leaves to make his way in the world, Bruno steps in as the surrogate son. In the hands of a lesser author the story could have devolved into jealousy, spite, and sentimentality, but not here. Pietro and Bruno, two imperfect young men trying to make their way, their own way, in a changing world, remain close to the end despite disappointments and mistakes.

I would recommend this book for anyone who loves the mountains or who has ever loved anyone who is imperfect—father, mother, or friend.

Touching beautiful story

Eight mountains is a beautiful story about love between two friends over a lifetime. It truly captures the Italian alps and what they mean to people.

simple and beautiful

this is my type of story. An intimate relationship, a vivid world, a little bit of heartbreak.

Like listening to a gps robot voice read a book

The story was all middle. The characters were not engaging. I’m still not sure what story the author was trying to tell.