The "confessional" style of Steep Ascent weds itself strongly to the literary form of the diary, a form Lindbergh works with in much of her fiction. The most striking feature of this allegorical novella is the significant absence of dialogue — but for some dialogue in the opening pages, the narrative relies almost entirely on interior monologue. In part autobiographical, Lindbergh's work is convincing without becoming self-indulgent.

Her use of evocative imagery and the cadence of her poetic style transform the story from a physical adventure to an adventure of the spirit. She emphasizes the spiritual elements of the journey or pilgrimage by alluding to religious themes. Merging idealized images with realistic elements, Lindbergh communicates a philosophy that asserts an optimistic belief in the participation of life. Despite her own apologies for not including a more passionate expression of the World War II politics in which the story...