As a young woman, Shreve spent three years working as a journalist in Nairobi, Kenya, and her vivid descriptions clearly show an affection for the East African nation. Unfortunately, most critics found the setting to be the novel's only redeeming quality. Shreve, known for crafting complex, multilayered protagonists, ultimately fails here. Critics unanimously expressed their disappointment in Margaret's character and described her as dull, unlikable, and frequently obtuse. The critic from the Los Angeles Times also felt that the constant use of "anachronisms in attitude and dialogue" rendered the book unreadable. A Change in Altitude is for die-hard Shreve fans only.
Margagret - một phóng viên ảnh - theo chồng mình là Patrick - một bác sĩ - đến Phi châu nghiên cứu thực địa và bị shock văn hóa thực dân. Cuối cùng, chính chuyến leo núi ở Kenya là giọt nước tràn li phá vỡ tình cảm giữa 2 vợ chồng.