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49 pages 1 hour read

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2004

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Book Brief

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Aron Ralston

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2004
Book Details
Pages

354

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

Blue John Canyon, Utah • 2000s

Publication Year

2004

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1150L

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Aron Ralston’s memoir, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, recounts his harrowing survival experience when a boulder pinned his arm in Utah's Bluejohn Canyon, trapping him for five days until he amputated his limb to escape. The book explores profound existential themes and garnered critical acclaim, later adapted into the film 127 Hours, starring James Franco and directed by Danny Boyle. The book includes thoughts of death by suicide.

Challenging

Suspenseful

Inspirational

Dark

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

4.2

23,867 ratings

68%

Loved it

24%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Aron Ralston's Between a Rock and a Hard Place captivates with its intense true story and inspiring self-reliance. Reviewers praise Ralston's vivid descriptions and emotional depth. Some find the pacing uneven and the technical climbing details overwhelming. Nonetheless, it remains a compelling testament to human perseverance and resilience.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Between a Rock and a Hard Place?

A reader who would enjoy Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston is likely passionate about adventure, outdoor survival, and human endurance. Fans of poignant true survival stories like Jon Krakauer's Into the Wild or Cheryl Strayed's Wild will find Ralston's harrowing tale compelling and inspiring.

4.2

23,867 ratings

68%

Loved it

24%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Character List

Aron Ralston

The narrator and central figure, whose adventure and entrapment in Bluejohn Canyon form the core of the narrative. His background as an outdoor enthusiast and engineer influences his actions and reflections throughout his ordeal.

Book Details
Pages

354

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

Blue John Canyon, Utah • 2000s

Publication Year

2004

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1150L

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