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A review by djthatch
Cold Earth by Sarah Moss
3.0
*This review contains spoilers*
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I wanted to read this book but I was also able to read it as a final project for my Archaeology class. Because I read this book both for an assignment and for pleasure, I may be too critical.
This book is written as letters home to loved-ones from six archaeologists on a summer-long dig in Greenland. Each chapter is written in the perspective of a different Archaeologist– Nina, Ruth, Jim, Catriona, Yianni, Ben, finishing again with Nina at the end.
The book follows how each individual perceives what's going on, and how they relate with the other archaeologists. During the dig, it becomes clear that they are not the only beings in the area. Nina is the first to start experiencing something out of the ordinary, and slowly the others are convinced. The narration follows the group's work, research, experiences with the supernatural, and survival in Greenland. There is also an underlying issue that is explored while they're there: when they land in Greenland they discover that there is a world-wide pandemic that is spreading, and they're trying to find out how their families are doing.
The Archaeology aspect seems pretty accurate. I have highlighted sections for my project, and I'm quite happy with what I have to work with for this assignment.
I have a few critiques of the book. First, the book is supposed to be first-person letters home. However, there is quite often direct dialogue between the person writing and other people. I had a hard time accepting each chapter as a letter when there was direct dialogue– I don't think that someone writing a letter home would take the time to create a narrative dialogue like that. However, this technique was quite unique. When I was able to accept that this was a letter, I felt like the particular individual was actually writing the letter to me– this experience again was lost when a certain individual or memory was referenced that I clearly had no experience of.
Next, the supernatural element. I really enjoyed the element of the supernatural. It added a mystery and almost horror aspect to the novel. However, I felt like this element was underdeveloped. There was quite a lot of mention of the supernatural; but, in the end, little developed out of the supposed "Greenlanders".
Lastly, the pandemic. Again, the pandemic added a nice secondary narrative, and an added stress to the already overworked, tired, and scared Archaeologists; but, again, this was underdeveloped. Little was explained about it, even in the ending.
Overall, the book held my attention, kept me interested and is quality material (Archaeologically speaking) for my assignment. I would recommend for anyone interested in a quick read, with a narrative driven by different perspectives.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I wanted to read this book but I was also able to read it as a final project for my Archaeology class. Because I read this book both for an assignment and for pleasure, I may be too critical.
This book is written as letters home to loved-ones from six archaeologists on a summer-long dig in Greenland. Each chapter is written in the perspective of a different Archaeologist– Nina, Ruth, Jim, Catriona, Yianni, Ben, finishing again with Nina at the end.
The book follows how each individual perceives what's going on, and how they relate with the other archaeologists. During the dig, it becomes clear that they are not the only beings in the area. Nina is the first to start experiencing something out of the ordinary, and slowly the others are convinced. The narration follows the group's work, research, experiences with the supernatural, and survival in Greenland. There is also an underlying issue that is explored while they're there: when they land in Greenland they discover that there is a world-wide pandemic that is spreading, and they're trying to find out how their families are doing.
The Archaeology aspect seems pretty accurate. I have highlighted sections for my project, and I'm quite happy with what I have to work with for this assignment.
I have a few critiques of the book. First, the book is supposed to be first-person letters home. However, there is quite often direct dialogue between the person writing and other people. I had a hard time accepting each chapter as a letter when there was direct dialogue– I don't think that someone writing a letter home would take the time to create a narrative dialogue like that. However, this technique was quite unique. When I was able to accept that this was a letter, I felt like the particular individual was actually writing the letter to me– this experience again was lost when a certain individual or memory was referenced that I clearly had no experience of.
Next, the supernatural element. I really enjoyed the element of the supernatural. It added a mystery and almost horror aspect to the novel. However, I felt like this element was underdeveloped. There was quite a lot of mention of the supernatural; but, in the end, little developed out of the supposed "Greenlanders".
Lastly, the pandemic. Again, the pandemic added a nice secondary narrative, and an added stress to the already overworked, tired, and scared Archaeologists; but, again, this was underdeveloped. Little was explained about it, even in the ending.
Overall, the book held my attention, kept me interested and is quality material (Archaeologically speaking) for my assignment. I would recommend for anyone interested in a quick read, with a narrative driven by different perspectives.