A Journey Through Cold Places: Books That Explore Extreme Climates
Delve into an exploration of the literary landscapes of the books set in cold places, where authors capture the chilling, yet compelling, environments of the Arctic and beyond. From mysterious snow scenes to terrifying expeditions in Antarctica, these narratives not only provide a breathtaking journey into the arctic literature, but also offer a crisper view of survival and human perseverance in extreme climates.
Deep into Frost
To start our tour through cold literature, Smilla's Sense of Snow by Peter H?eg is a notable piece. Smilla's intuitive and acute ability to perceive the world around her combines elements of mystery and the supernatural, delivering a chilling yet believable tale. While the movie adaptation fails to fully capture the depth and complexity of the original, it stands as a compelling visual representation of the story's haunting and profound evocativeness.
Alien Encounters in Antarctica
The nebulous world of the Antarctic is brought to life with the timeless Who Goes There, more notoriously known as Whoever Goes There, by John W. Campbell under the pseudonym Don A. Stuart. While this work is often viewed as a chieftain in the science fiction literature, it also serves as the forefather of many film adaptations such as Thing with Another World, The Horror Express, The Thing (1982), and the riveting remake in 2011. This story captures the terrestrial dread of facing extraterrestrial life in the seemingly uninhabitable cold of Antarctica, a focus that has only continued to fascinate audiences over the decades.
Cherishing Endurance
The cold and unyielding Antarctic landscape is also the setting for Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Journey, a classic tale by Alfred Lansing. Shackleton’s leadership and resolve in the face of the sleeping giants of ice is compellingly conveyed, making this narrative a treasure trove for those interested in polar exploration and human courage.
Personal Tribulation and Tribulations
Denali: A Climber's Ascent
The majestic Minus 148F by Arthur Davidson, whose first-cold-climb saga provides an unforgettable journey into the heart of the Alaskan wilderness. This book stands as a testament to human endurance and the beauty of nature, juxtaposing life-threatening struggles with the power of surviving against all odds. Davidson's experiences on Denali form a significant part of polar literature, offering a capture of the human will. Similarly, In the Wake of the Exxon Valdez reflects on ecological disasters and their impact on the environment and human life.
Entire mountains of drama
For a detailed and sometimes controversial recounting, Howard Snyder's Hall of the Mountain King provides a dramatic narrative of a 1967 tragedy on Denali. This story highlights the complexities of leading expeditions and the sometimes disastrous consequences of inexperience and poor leadership. Joe Wilcox, the expedition's leader, offers his own account in his book Wild Winds, which is a weather anomaly, or a weather anomaly, according to Wilcox. However, the book's tribulations are from the liability and PR disaster for the expedition rather than the weather itself.
Defying the Cold
Rounding out our review of books set in cold places, Mawson's Will by Nick Ninnis is a chilling account of Antarctic exploration, marking a significant contribution to the literature of extreme survival. This work, like many others, underscores the risks and moral complexities faced in the pursuit of knowledge and adventure in the Antarctic.
Fictional Narratives in Frost
In the world of fiction, Jane Smiley's The Greenlanders and Elizabeth Arther's Antarctic Navigation offer readers a blend of adventure and romance in the icy terrain of the North and South. These stories are more than just tales of survival; they delve into the human condition, resilience, and the beauty of these frozen worlds.
Non-Fiction Wonders of the Cold
For a more grounded perspective, Gretel Ehrlich's This Cold Heaven: Seven Seasons in Greenland and Nick Jans's The Last Light Breaking offer insightful and personal views into the lives of people living in and around these icy landscapes. Ehrlich's work combines seasonal observations with poetic reflections, while Jans's account is an intimate narrative of survival and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of severe conditions.
Conclusion
The cold environment serves as a backdrop for these books, providing a stage for the narratives of human resilience, tragedy, and triumph. These stories are not merely about the cold; they delve into the very fabric of human nature and the challenges of living in extraordinary conditions, making them an essential read for anyone with a cold heart for adventure, frosty realities, and the icy beauty of the polar regions.