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reynier's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Holy shit that was good. Just... wow. I think starting my Polar reading with this was a bit like starting my mountaineering reading with Into Thin Air-- very few other books will measure up. This is an amazing story full of mystery, told by a phenomenal writer. Highly recommend.
annetjeberg's review against another edition
5.0
There is nothing like reading a book about the arctic in the summer. This book was a pleasant surprise! I didn't know that a story of Arctic survival (and many, many deaths) could be so readable and interesting. As far as Arctic exploration books goes: there isn't any better out there than this one. Not that I have read them all, but I am THAT confident.
Unfortunately, I don't think he ever wrote another book, so this is the first and last I will ever read by him.
It's a sad day. A really, really sad day.
Unfortunately, I don't think he ever wrote another book, so this is the first and last I will ever read by him.
It's a sad day. A really, really sad day.
crazycardigan's review against another edition
4.0
I could not put this book down. I sat down to read a few pages of it before I went to sleep, then the next thing I knew it was three am.
anneke_b's review against another edition
5.0
There is nothing like reading a book about the arctic in the summer. This book was a pleasant surprise! I didn't know that a story of Arctic survival (and many, many deaths) could be so readable and interesting. As far as Arctic exploration books goes: there isn't any better out there than this one. Not that I have read them all, but I am THAT confident.
Unfortunately, I don't think he ever wrote another book, so this is the first and last I will ever read by him.
It's a sad day. A really, really sad day.
Unfortunately, I don't think he ever wrote another book, so this is the first and last I will ever read by him.
It's a sad day. A really, really sad day.
natemanfrenjensen's review against another edition
5.0
This is a very enjoyable translation of a Russian work from the early 1900s. The tale is pretty spare, but as a true story it really holds your attention. Definitely read the epilogue for a greater understanding of the personal conflicts in the story. I plan to read more books from the series (Modern Library).
lifebetweenwords's review against another edition
4.0
Amazing and harrowing - this is the incredible first hand account of a desperate (costly but successful) attempt to find rescue in the arctic after being icebound on a ship for over two years. If you like survival stories, this is a great one! Just...make sure you're warm and well-fed while reading it.