417 pages
English language
Published Jan. 5, 2016
4 stars
(5 reviews)
In the winter of 1885, decorated war hero Colonel Allen Forrester leads an exploratory expedition up the Wolverine River and into the vast, untamed Alaska Territory. Leaving behind Sophie, his newly pregnant wife, Forrester records his extraordinary experiences in hopes that his journal will reach her if he doesn't return. As they map the territory and gather information on native tribes, whose understanding of the natural world is unlike anything they have ever encountered, Forrester and his team can't escape the sense that some great, mysterious force threatens their lives. Meanwhile, in Vancouver, Sophie chafes under the social restrictions of a pregnant woman on her own, and yearns to travel alongside her husband. She, too, explores nature, through the new art of photography, unaware that the coming winter will test her own courage and faith to the breaking point.--
Sharyl reviewed To the bright edge of the world by Eowyn Ivey
Review of 'To the bright edge of the world' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
Have I read two novels by Eowyn Ivey this year? Happily, yes! This novel is not similar to The Snow Child--it shines in a different way, but it's every bit as brilliant.
This story conveys the beauty and awesomeness of new frontiers, and I would guess that most people who finish this book will want to see Alaska. I liked the characters, found the history intriguing, and loved how Ivey conveyed Indian folklore. The way she made it a part of the explorers' story is a wonderful form of magical realism.
The telling of the events through journals and letters is very appealing, too. It seems more authentic that way.
I enjoyed this immensely. Bravo!
Sandra reviewed To the bright edge of the world by Eowyn Ivey
Review of 'To the bright edge of the world' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
4 1/2 stars
This is the exact type of book I like. Eowyn Ivey's previous book [b:The Snow Child|11250053|The Snow Child|Eowyn Ivey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327098624s/11250053.jpg|16176521] was a little too "fairy tale" for my liking and although this new book has some magical elements, for some reason, I can accept bits of magic and folklore and "the spirit world" if it comes from indigenous people's belief systems. I have no idea why that works for me and why magic presented in every day life situations seems phony. But that's how it goes.
I have said before, I like just about any story set in the Arctic or Antarctic (or mountain climbing!)... I like reading about hardship, starvation and freezing to death while I'm all cozy and comfy with snacks close at hand. I love stories set in the Alaskan landscape. I love to read about the people who make that forbidding, unforgiving world their …
4 1/2 stars
This is the exact type of book I like. Eowyn Ivey's previous book [b:The Snow Child|11250053|The Snow Child|Eowyn Ivey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327098624s/11250053.jpg|16176521] was a little too "fairy tale" for my liking and although this new book has some magical elements, for some reason, I can accept bits of magic and folklore and "the spirit world" if it comes from indigenous people's belief systems. I have no idea why that works for me and why magic presented in every day life situations seems phony. But that's how it goes.
I have said before, I like just about any story set in the Arctic or Antarctic (or mountain climbing!)... I like reading about hardship, starvation and freezing to death while I'm all cozy and comfy with snacks close at hand. I love stories set in the Alaskan landscape. I love to read about the people who make that forbidding, unforgiving world their home. I especially love stories from way back in the day when you either walked to your destination (and all the dangers that entailed, like fording freezing cold glacial rivers, being followed by wolves, eaten alive by mosquitoes or spied by a grizzly mama) or you took a dog sled if you were lucky and also unlucky because probably then it was winter and you experienced a whole different set of hazards. This love of forbidding landscapes probably stems from reading [b:Mrs. Mike|155712|Mrs. Mike (Mrs. Mike, #1)|Benedict Freedman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1309212489s/155712.jpg|3232591] when I was young and impressionable. This is still one of my favorite books of all time. (Okay, not set in Alaska exactly, but you know, up there in the frigid laditudes where the northern lights dance). And oh gee, I remember a movie we watched when we spent the morning at the local library way (way) back when I was a child at Immaculate Conception grade school. The movie was To Build a Fire or something like that based on a Jack London story, I believe. That one still haunts me to this day! Brrrr.
So yeah, this was very good. It doesn't actually get 5 stars because I wasn't completely blown away, but it definitely is a good story and worthy of your time. You know, if you like this sort of thing.
Subjects
- Frontier and pioneer life
- Indians of North America
- Scientific expeditions
- Photography
- Fiction
- Pregnant women
- Explorers
- History