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alananewport's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderful. Three men go to Antartica for a season to complete research. A dramatic storm collapses their program and has enormous ongoing consequences.
I loved the prose and pacing in this novel. It was a page turner, even though very literary in its depth of character exploration. McGregor nails the vibe of the community settings, and the unusual voice patterns/dialogue required to support the story.
It explores marriage and relationships with enormous restraint which is equally so illuminating. I can’t wait to read more of his work.
I loved the prose and pacing in this novel. It was a page turner, even though very literary in its depth of character exploration. McGregor nails the vibe of the community settings, and the unusual voice patterns/dialogue required to support the story.
It explores marriage and relationships with enormous restraint which is equally so illuminating. I can’t wait to read more of his work.
rose_reads33's review against another edition
3.0
Overall I found this book quite disappointing. I loved the author’s other books so I was ready to love this one too.
I thought it was going to be more about the Arctic but it wasn’t. And the whole middle section just felt like boring filler to me, as if we were building to this big reveal that never came. It felt like an odd setup bc it was massively trying to build to a reveal of the red plane and something you didn’t know. And I wish it hadn’t bc that took away from the actual premise of the book, in a way. And then when it finally got to its reveal, it didn’t reveal anything. But by then I’d missed the middle chunk feeling like we were going somewhere else. I think without that, it could have been more of a focus on people and stroke etc.
I also struggled with the character development, or lack of. Everyone and everything was a bit cliche and lacked depth. Who are these people and how do they think or feel? There was so much unsaid, and I think it was trying to describe circumstance and place over individuals, which sometimes can really work in a book, but for me this one didn’t. I didn’t really care about the characters, it felt like looking through a window at a sad and helpless scene and feeling upset, but not for the people, for the situation, for the bigger picture of how these things happen and that people have to live in these lives.
It didn’t help that i find this subject matter of stroke/loss of language/independence (that I wasn’t prepared for bc I don’t read backs of books) particularly sad and painful.
I thought it was going to be more about the Arctic but it wasn’t. And the whole middle section just felt like boring filler to me, as if we were building to this big reveal that never came. It felt like an odd setup bc it was massively trying to build to a reveal of the red plane and something you didn’t know. And I wish it hadn’t bc that took away from the actual premise of the book, in a way. And then when it finally got to its reveal, it didn’t reveal anything. But by then I’d missed the middle chunk feeling like we were going somewhere else. I think without that, it could have been more of a focus on people and stroke etc.
I also struggled with the character development, or lack of. Everyone and everything was a bit cliche and lacked depth. Who are these people and how do they think or feel? There was so much unsaid, and I think it was trying to describe circumstance and place over individuals, which sometimes can really work in a book, but for me this one didn’t. I didn’t really care about the characters, it felt like looking through a window at a sad and helpless scene and feeling upset, but not for the people, for the situation, for the bigger picture of how these things happen and that people have to live in these lives.
It didn’t help that i find this subject matter of stroke/loss of language/independence (that I wasn’t prepared for bc I don’t read backs of books) particularly sad and painful.
softrosemint's review against another edition
3.25
This really could not win me over. From the prose not fitting me to it just not being my type of novel. It felt a bit too much like the book alternative of an Oscar bait film but I recognise it works for some people.
huffle89's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.25
alicemc25's review against another edition
4.0
Started one way (dramatic Antarctica expedition) then went a very different way (a man and his family learning to live after a stroke and aphasia). I would have liked a bit more snowy drama, but enjoyed it all, and actually read it in a single day.
themorsecode's review against another edition
5.0
An absorbing book about storytelling and particularly communication. Split into three very different sections (titled Lean / Fall /Stand), I'd recommend going in with as little knowledge as possible of the story. My first McGregor novel and certainly won't be my last - some dazzling, affecting writing that kept me gripped throughout.
lower222's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to love this book, but just didn’t. I enjoyed the adventure in Antarctica. I wish more had come of the wife’s struggle to be a caregiver in the second half. The writer showed how hard it was and how much she gave up, but she never got to express herself. We didn’t see any realistic emotional reaction from her. The writer spent too much time conveying how a stroke victim would struggle with communication, which made the story lopsided. The reveal at the end was underwhelming. Three stars because I was invested enough to read the whole thing.
sab_1961's review against another edition
4.0
Finished this recently on BorrowBox, my third by the author. Interesting style of writing and good read although a little odd at first. The first section was difficult but the rest better. I really empathised with the wife Anna
marybo01's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
fast-paced
4.25
Jon McGregor is my creative writing professor at university and after reading this novel I am honoured my work was marked by him.
Originally advertised as a story about an expedition going wrong in Antarctica, I would say this novel is a lot more heartfelt and challenging than anticipated. The expedition is only the first third or so of the book, the rest of the novel is about the fallout of those events and oh wow is it emotional.
The tone and format of the narrative takes some getting used to but once your brain has wrapped around it, there will be no problems. It is a beautifully written story about showing emotions when otherwise unable and it hit a lot harder than you would expect. Very moving and very gripping. A quick but emotional read.
Originally advertised as a story about an expedition going wrong in Antarctica, I would say this novel is a lot more heartfelt and challenging than anticipated. The expedition is only the first third or so of the book, the rest of the novel is about the fallout of those events and oh wow is it emotional.
The tone and format of the narrative takes some getting used to but once your brain has wrapped around it, there will be no problems. It is a beautifully written story about showing emotions when otherwise unable and it hit a lot harder than you would expect. Very moving and very gripping. A quick but emotional read.