I Am Here

A writer to watch... I was grippedLEMN SISSAY
Searingly honest, brutally real yet reassuringly gentleMANNI COE
A landmark memoir with the power to stun, horrify and inspireTOBY LITT

This is a true story of survival set in the most extreme mental and physical landscapes: a journey through total breakdown, the depths of loss and the beauty and danger of high mountains

In her early thirties, Kate Armstrong was on top of the world: building a future with the love of her life, thriving in a fast-moving career and climbing spectacular mountain peaks. Then, out of the blue, she had a shattering breakdown, fell into near-fatal addiction and almost destroyed her marriage.

A decade later, she’s hit by catastrophe of a whole different order. Unable to find her way forward, she turns to her past experiences for lessons in how to survive. Then, the mountains grounded her. Now, they become her salvation.

I Am Here ranges between high-altitude Alpine ice peaks and psychiatric hospitals, the wilds of Scotland and basement AA meetings, London backstreets and the fierce beauty of the remote Himalaya. It is a love story. It is a testament to those who care for and guide us. Above all it demonstrates the wisdom that can come from deep pain – and how it can help us through whatever lies ahead.

The mountains of rock and ice were so much more straightforward than the mountains of my mind