Novel: The Hidden Mountain

Introduction
"The Hidden Mountain" is a novel composed by the acclaimed Canadian author, Gabrielle Roy, in 1960. The story is set in the large and extreme landscape of northern Manitoba, Canada, and focuses on a group of people with different backgrounds, who form a little neighborhood in this separated region. The main style of the book is the battle for survival, identified by the difficulties dealt with by the characters in their encounters with the cruelty of nature, the seclusion, and their interactions with one another.

Plot Summary
The story opens with Pierre Tousignant and his spouse, Marie, who have actually moved from their little village to the remote location of northern Manitoba with their two kids to work as a family of trappers and hunters. Nevertheless, the harsh conditions, solitude and lack of success in trapping soon take a toll on Marie, who becomes progressively dissatisfied with their scenario.

One day, while exploring the location, Pierre discovers an old, deserted missionary home and church that as soon as came from a priest named Father Beaulieu. He finds out that the priest vanished years ago, leaving no trace behind him. Intrigued by this discovery, Pierre decides to move his household to this new place which he calls "The Hidden Mountain". Marie, who is desperate for a change, supports the relocation and anticipates that their fortunes may improve.

After moving, the family comes across Joachim, an old trapper who has actually been residing in the area for many years. Joachim presents Pierre to the world of trapping and hunting and they gradually end up being pals. Nevertheless, Marie's loneliness continues to grow, as she feels progressively isolated and far away from her neighborhood.

Intro of New Characters and Conflicts
As the story unfolds, several new characters get in the story. To start with, we meet Nazaire, a boy from Pierre's village who Pierre's decision to leave the community and transfer to the separated mountains. He visits the family to try and encourage them to go back to their town, but his efforts are futile.

Next, we meet Goselin and Hélène, a French-Canadian couple who, like Pierre and Marie, are having a hard time to make it through in the wild. Although they initially appear pleased and content, they, too, face a number of challenges and obstacles in their new life.

The book's climax is marked by an unforeseen turn of occasions, as Father Beaulieu, thought to have actually disappeared, comes back and turns out to have been residing in the area all along. This discovery shakes the neighborhood and leads to numerous disputes and tensions, especially in between Father Beaulieu and Nazaire, who hold opposing views on how life ought to be lived.

Styles and Symbols
Gabrielle Roy deals with a variety of styles and themes in "The Hidden Mountain", most notably the idea of humans trying to assert control over nature, and the effects of doing so. Each of the characters in the narrative is faced with the significant obstacle of attempting to flex and control their environment, and many of them eventually face tragedy and anguish as an outcome.

Another prominent theme in the novel is that of isolation and solitude. As each character is mainly cut off from their former neighborhoods and households, they face emotional chaos and battle to create a brand-new life and identity for themselves in the unforgiving wilderness.

Last but not least, the novel likewise explores the theme of what it means to be human. Through the various characters and their interactions with one another, readers are triggered to question what truly defines us as people, and how far we would go to assert our mankind in even the most extreme situations.

Conclusion
"The Hidden Mountain" is a book that showcases Gabrielle Roy's outstanding storytelling capability, in addition to her talent for developing evocative, poignant, and remarkable characters. The story explores essential styles that resonate with readers today, such as the human battle for survival, the dangers of isolation, and the limits of our control over nature. Amidst the stark and haunting background of the Canadian wilderness, Roy masterfully weaves her tale that will remain in the hearts of readers long after they have turned the last page.