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bookwoods's review against another edition
3.0
Had Cold Earth been my first encounter with Sarah Moss, I would have thought that it has a lot of potential and waited eagerly for her later publications. However, this was the last one of hers I had to read and I’ve already seen that potential evolving into something spectacular (=especially The Tidal Zone). Compared to the others, Cold Earth ended up being quite meh. The story isn’t all too cohesive, the execution is lacking and the text keeps wandering to insignificant subjects, although the characters are great as is the premise: a group of scientists in Greenland while an epidemic is spreading in the outside world – the human race might be dying and there might be ghosts of ancient Greenlanders being stirred by the archaeological digging.
As a huge fan of Sarah Moss it was interesting to see where her literary career started and to observe the development of her writing - I’m getting more and more exited for Ghost Wall! But if you’re new to Moss, then I do recommend starting with something else from her.
As a huge fan of Sarah Moss it was interesting to see where her literary career started and to observe the development of her writing - I’m getting more and more exited for Ghost Wall! But if you’re new to Moss, then I do recommend starting with something else from her.
repixpix's review against another edition
2.0
No esperes una novela de terror ni algo trepidante. Es una novela lenta, intimista y tirando a aburrida.
gwyn67's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
amdipper's review against another edition
3.0
This was a very enjoyable read - the setting, the potential paranormal aspect and the feeling of isolation. Found the ending quite derivative, which was a shame.
pattireadsalot's review against another edition
3.0
Sarah Moss is a popular author among the British bookish YouTubers I watch. I wanted to start with her first novel and work my way to her latest- The Tidal Zone. I wasn't a huge fan of the multiple perspectives. I understand how this form would make sense for the narrative, but it felt haphazard and left me disconnected. Two voices were much stronger than the rest- Nina's and Ruth's- so I hated sparing more of them for the other's descriptions.
This novel was unusual- equal parts historical fiction, ghost story, apocalyptic fiction, and grief memoir all set on an archeological dig site in Greenland. Moss's research into food literature and the aesthetics of the North (per author bio on back cover) were evident. There were good discussions on history and archaeology- and why people are attracted to each facet. History can be categorized as stories while archaeology can be interpreted, but also mostly based on what's there and what's not. Also, according to one of the characters: "The problem is that archaeology has to be more interested in establishing customs that instances of spontaneity."
The story did well evoking suspense with the uncertainty of the site, but ultimately left me feeling a little blase about the outcome. I loved The Times blurb on the back cover "Moss's stark writing delivers stinging splashes of cold water. Every element of the novel is distilled for purity of purpose." While it appears contradictory that I am highlighting more strengths/likes than dislikes, there was just something missing for me. I'll enjoy perusing other reviews of this one!
This novel was unusual- equal parts historical fiction, ghost story, apocalyptic fiction, and grief memoir all set on an archeological dig site in Greenland. Moss's research into food literature and the aesthetics of the North (per author bio on back cover) were evident. There were good discussions on history and archaeology- and why people are attracted to each facet. History can be categorized as stories while archaeology can be interpreted, but also mostly based on what's there and what's not. Also, according to one of the characters: "The problem is that archaeology has to be more interested in establishing customs that instances of spontaneity."
The story did well evoking suspense with the uncertainty of the site, but ultimately left me feeling a little blase about the outcome. I loved The Times blurb on the back cover "Moss's stark writing delivers stinging splashes of cold water. Every element of the novel is distilled for purity of purpose." While it appears contradictory that I am highlighting more strengths/likes than dislikes, there was just something missing for me. I'll enjoy perusing other reviews of this one!
paledaughter's review against another edition
3.0
This was on track to be a 4 star read but I didn't love the ending. Full RTC.
sylvia_a's review against another edition
2.0
A group of archaeologists gets stranded in Greenland. A pandemic rages in the mainland and the plain is not coming to retrieve them. They face winter with no food and shelter.
The book is slow-moving, predictable and the main narrator, Nina, has very common thoughts. I wish we were shown the events that unfold from the perspectives of the others in the group.
The book is slow-moving, predictable and the main narrator, Nina, has very common thoughts. I wish we were shown the events that unfold from the perspectives of the others in the group.
jillysnz's review against another edition
4.0
OK not a perfect book bnut it was wonderful and absorbing. I was really caught up with the situation, the characters were mostly well defined. i wanted MORE!
roba's review against another edition
2.0
One part unsatisfying apocalypse story, one part unsatisfying ghost story, and two parts Observer food magazine. I guess I was compelled to finish it fairly quickly, but mainly because I was hoping the main narrator would get killed after she started going on about heritage tomatoes in the first few pages, and as more unsympathetic narrators joined the throng, I hoped they would get killed, too.
If you like your SF/horror to give you some potential recipe ideas, this might be for you.
I feel bad writing this because I really loved Sarah Moss's book about Iceland, Names for the Sea, which is beautiful and totally recommended.
If you like your SF/horror to give you some potential recipe ideas, this might be for you.
I feel bad writing this because I really loved Sarah Moss's book about Iceland, Names for the Sea, which is beautiful and totally recommended.