New
AcquisitionsThe Voyage of the Narwhal; Andrea Barrett; Flamingo, 2000; ISBN 0-00-655141-6; 36.99; CA 15726
There are some histories and subjects I do not like to read about. The effort put in by the actors seems - in my opinion - too much for the intended outcome. The questions "Why?" is, for me, inadequately answered by the rsponse "Because it's there". Arctic exploration usually falls into this category of reading. However, I was gripped ny "The Voyage of the Narwhal". What began as a duty reading ended in extreme reluctance to stop turning the pages.
Whilst closely following true explorations which sought to discover the fate of Sir John Franklin, Andrea Barrett creates her own version of such an adventure. The reality - cold, starvation, ice storms etc. - are all described as they may well have happened. The fantasy - characters one can care about - offer many and various perspectives on the "Voyage": the arrogant, egotistical leader; the idealist scientist; the ship's master, officers and crew who understand the environment in which they have their livings; most sympathetically written, the women who wait and worry.
Read this for the splendid blend of adventure and character, then use the CA library for some follow up reading. - SM
Page prepared 30 October 2000
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