A review by veelaughtland
Skating to Antarctica by Jenny Diski

3.0

This was my first experience of Jenny Diski's writing, and I have to say I'm a fan. Whilst I'm not sure that this book was the best one to start with in terms of subject matter, I'm excited to explore more of her work as her writing style is really excellent. I enjoyed learning about her childhood and the relationship with her parents, particularly her mother - I knew pretty much nothing about her or her life going into this book, and was surprised by how dramatic and messed up her child and teen years were. The sections relating her travels to Antarctica were not so interesting to me sadly. I didn't really have much interest in the stories about former explorers in Antarctica, the Falklands, or the fellow passengers she met. However, what did enchant me were her descriptions of the landscape and her travels on the boat, along with her desire to be alone in that unending white place and to feel separate from the world. It was both morose and beautiful at the same time. So I'm glad I read this, and I'll need to research what Diski book is right for me as my second venture into her body of work.