myrto229's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book a lot, though the occasional scientific diversions sometimes distracted from the narrative.
The author is a great writer, with lots of colorful and descriptive tools in her arsenal. I enjoyed the fact that she wove historical anecdotes and scientific concepts into the book. The main scientific thrust of this book is the effect that climate change is having on Antarctica, which is awful but true. Still, I felt that was a bit too much of a focus.
But when she's writing about the people who live and work in Antarctica, and about the historical figures who have been a part of the story, the book is fascinating.
I really recommend it!
The author is a great writer, with lots of colorful and descriptive tools in her arsenal. I enjoyed the fact that she wove historical anecdotes and scientific concepts into the book. The main scientific thrust of this book is the effect that climate change is having on Antarctica, which is awful but true. Still, I felt that was a bit too much of a focus.
But when she's writing about the people who live and work in Antarctica, and about the historical figures who have been a part of the story, the book is fascinating.
I really recommend it!
clarereadstheworld's review
3.75
I decided to include Antarctica on my tour, because it's a place I don't know anything about, and so I thought it would be an interesting addition, and it was !
.
Obviously, it's impossible to find a book written by someone who was born and grew up in Antarctica, because that just dosen't exist, I'm pretty sure it's impossible actually, so Sara Wheeler was the next best thing. She visited Antarctica in 1997, so the book is kind if old now, and I'm sure if you know a lot about Antarctica, you'll notice things which are no longer true, or have since changed, but I don't, so I didn't.
.
I did find the narrative style a little hard to get on board with. Especially in the first half Wheeler switches quite a lot between her own experience, and those of the early polar explores. Which these anecdotes were interesting they sometimes took away from the main plot of Wheelers experience. At times I wished she would stick to either her story, or recalling the early polar expeditions, but stop mixing the two up. It did get better as the book went on, and I got used to this narrative style and started to enjoy it.
.
I did find it fascinating to learn the details of life in Antarctica. I had no idea just how many people are there and how long they sometimes stay for. I loved learning the little details everyday life. It was completely different to anything I had ever imagined.
.
I did wonder how the climate emergency has impacted the Antarctica. This was not mentioned at all in Wheeler's book, as no one was really thinking about it in the 90's, but I suspect it would probably be the main focus of a book written on the topic.
.
Overall I found this book quite slow going, and although it was interesting in some respects, there are only so many different ways to say 'it was really cold, there was a lot of snow'. Sill worth reading if you want to learn more about Antarctica.
.
Obviously, it's impossible to find a book written by someone who was born and grew up in Antarctica, because that just dosen't exist, I'm pretty sure it's impossible actually, so Sara Wheeler was the next best thing. She visited Antarctica in 1997, so the book is kind if old now, and I'm sure if you know a lot about Antarctica, you'll notice things which are no longer true, or have since changed, but I don't, so I didn't.
.
I did find the narrative style a little hard to get on board with. Especially in the first half Wheeler switches quite a lot between her own experience, and those of the early polar explores. Which these anecdotes were interesting they sometimes took away from the main plot of Wheelers experience. At times I wished she would stick to either her story, or recalling the early polar expeditions, but stop mixing the two up. It did get better as the book went on, and I got used to this narrative style and started to enjoy it.
.
I did find it fascinating to learn the details of life in Antarctica. I had no idea just how many people are there and how long they sometimes stay for. I loved learning the little details everyday life. It was completely different to anything I had ever imagined.
.
I did wonder how the climate emergency has impacted the Antarctica. This was not mentioned at all in Wheeler's book, as no one was really thinking about it in the 90's, but I suspect it would probably be the main focus of a book written on the topic.
.
Overall I found this book quite slow going, and although it was interesting in some respects, there are only so many different ways to say 'it was really cold, there was a lot of snow'. Sill worth reading if you want to learn more about Antarctica.
christythelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
In a nutshell:
During her travels in Chile, British travel writer Sara Wheeler was introduced to the allure of Antarctica. Later she gets the opportunity to visit Antarctica, sponsored by the U.S. funded Writers and Artists program. The scientists and other Antarctic inhabitants take her along to their bases and camps spread out over the vast, extreme continent.
Review:
Last month I read White Darkness by Geraldine McCaughrean, a thriller set in the Antarctic. In that novel, the continent had a wild, threatening nature and brought out the worst in some of the characters. The Antarctica in Terra Incognita, while far from benign, is a place where a profound peace can be found, and where the rest of the world is put in perspective.
Sara Wheeler is an excellent writer, conveying the varied moods of her Antarctic travels: wonder, frustration, bonhemie, and a good deal of humor. Most of all, she shows the reader how and why she fell in love with Antarctica.
I like travel writing where the writer offers some self-revelation, because travel is so much about personal connection with place. However, Wheeler’s narrative is not self-centered. It is clear that she is genuinely interested in other people and their work and she describes them with warm detail. In particular, near the end of her travels, she bonds with an artist named Lucia who is also there on the Writers & Artists program. The two of them share a hut in a field camp for weeks. As most of the narrative has her switching her company constantly, it was nice to see her spend some extended time with this new friendship.
I really enjoyed learning about the varied communities of the Antarctic and the culture that is heavily shaped by the environment and the multinational demographic. While most places are welcome, Wheeler does encounter an off-putting boys-club atmosphere at one particular base. Historically, men have thought of Antarctica as their domain and some of that attitude still existed in pockets.
Wheeler does describe the travails of the famous Antarctic explorers in the book, and intersperses them with her own travels. Because she hops around a bit with the history, I kind of wish there had been an appendix with a chronology of Antarctic exploration. Also, I wish there were some photos to illustrate some of the landscapes that Wheeler describes.
Overall, this was a highly enjoyable book and I recommend it if you like travel writing, or are curious about Antarctica, or even just looking for a good non-fiction read. I think I will be seeking out more of Sara Wheeler’s writing in the future.
During her travels in Chile, British travel writer Sara Wheeler was introduced to the allure of Antarctica. Later she gets the opportunity to visit Antarctica, sponsored by the U.S. funded Writers and Artists program. The scientists and other Antarctic inhabitants take her along to their bases and camps spread out over the vast, extreme continent.
Review:
Last month I read White Darkness by Geraldine McCaughrean, a thriller set in the Antarctic. In that novel, the continent had a wild, threatening nature and brought out the worst in some of the characters. The Antarctica in Terra Incognita, while far from benign, is a place where a profound peace can be found, and where the rest of the world is put in perspective.
Sara Wheeler is an excellent writer, conveying the varied moods of her Antarctic travels: wonder, frustration, bonhemie, and a good deal of humor. Most of all, she shows the reader how and why she fell in love with Antarctica.
I like travel writing where the writer offers some self-revelation, because travel is so much about personal connection with place. However, Wheeler’s narrative is not self-centered. It is clear that she is genuinely interested in other people and their work and she describes them with warm detail. In particular, near the end of her travels, she bonds with an artist named Lucia who is also there on the Writers & Artists program. The two of them share a hut in a field camp for weeks. As most of the narrative has her switching her company constantly, it was nice to see her spend some extended time with this new friendship.
I really enjoyed learning about the varied communities of the Antarctic and the culture that is heavily shaped by the environment and the multinational demographic. While most places are welcome, Wheeler does encounter an off-putting boys-club atmosphere at one particular base. Historically, men have thought of Antarctica as their domain and some of that attitude still existed in pockets.
Wheeler does describe the travails of the famous Antarctic explorers in the book, and intersperses them with her own travels. Because she hops around a bit with the history, I kind of wish there had been an appendix with a chronology of Antarctic exploration. Also, I wish there were some photos to illustrate some of the landscapes that Wheeler describes.
Overall, this was a highly enjoyable book and I recommend it if you like travel writing, or are curious about Antarctica, or even just looking for a good non-fiction read. I think I will be seeking out more of Sara Wheeler’s writing in the future.
kellyelizabeth27's review against another edition
4.0
The author weaves together the history of the exploration of Antarctica, her own travels there, and stories of the current science (and scientists) at work there. For a while after reading this book, I was fascinated by the race for the pole, and even now, I credit the book for moving Antarctica up my list of places to visit.
schopflin's review against another edition
5.0
A real find for polar literature fans. Wheeler writes so well and balances knowledge on the topic with touching honesty on her own reactions. Also great to get a sense of how Antarctic exploration developed after the first world war. And it's laugh out loud funny at times.
sujata's review against another edition
1.0
Meh. So disappointed in this book. I'm Fascinated by Antarctica, the history of its exploration, the life and science practiced there now. This book was almost enough bore me out of that interest.
rbkegley's review against another edition
3.0
Good picture of what life in scientific laboratories in Antarctica is like, told with a good bit of humor and introspection.