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htliang
Feb 11, 2016htliang rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This is a powerful historical fiction novel. It tells the story of the Narwhal's search for the fate of Franklin's expedition. Most of the story is told through the eyes of Erasmus, the ship's naturalist. The leader of the expedition, Zeke, is filled with ambition to make a name for himself. He disregards the safety and advice of his crew as he plots to overwinter in the arctic. By the end of the story, I came to fiercely hate this man. Andrea Barrett does an amazing job of depicting the arctic in all its beauty and power. She also takes the reader into the minds of the crew - their hopes and fears. The terrible suffering the men endured during their winter in Smith South is explored in depth - from scurvy to frostbite to starvation (even having to eat the grubs found in old caribou skins). I had a difficult time putting this book down. I highly recommend it.