Setting
The 1840s and 1850s was the time of one of the largest mass migration in American history. More than 300,000 gold-hungry people migrated to California to build their fortunes. Thousands of people travelled from mid-west travelled in wagon trains and mules across the country with many perishing much before reaching their destination. Amongst the several Arctic explorers of the time, Sir John Franklin was a prominent name. The Franklin Expedition left for the Arctic in 1845 and was never heard of again. The fate of Franklin and his crew remained a mystery.
Storyline
In 1853, Lady Jane Franklin recruited Virginia Reeve, a California Trail guide to lead an expedition of 12 women into the treacherous environs of the Arctic. Virginia's task was to locate Lady Franklin's husband, Sir John Franklin who went missing on one such expedition. Lady Franklin believed women can succeed where men failed.
"Women can do far more than the narrow lens of society deems fitting. I suspect there is nothing, literally nothing, of which women are not capable."
A motley group of women from diverse backgrounds were assigned to Virginia for the expedition. The group comprised of a dog breeder, a mountaineer, a navigator, a nurse, a medical student, a journalist etc. They all set out together to brave the perilous terrain of the Arctic but tragedy strikes early. Battling extreme climate and dwindling food supplies, soon it became a fight for their survival. The book is written in a dual timeline. In the second timeline, a year and a half later, a courtroom scene unfolds before us where Virginia is on trial, accused of murdering a fellow expedition member.
My Thoughts
The Arctic Fury has an excellent and promising premise. It is set in a period when women stepping out of their houses to work was unheard of, let alone going on an expedition to the Arctic. It truly depicts the women's extraordinary physical and mental strength. Though the group loses a lot in the harsh conditions of the Arctic, still it could not break their spirits. Writing is fast-paced and gripping. The journey is vividly described, transporting you to the chilly environs of the Arctic. The court scenes are well-written wherein one could feel the tense environment of the trial while Virginia's fate hung in balance. The author has cleverly woven the story around two events of the period- the Donner Party and the Franklin Expedition. Also, she has subtly touched on the taboo topics of that period. My only peeve with the book is that though it is about the expedition, the expedition ended much before it even began. After that, it was all about survival. Anyhow, it's a book about strong and determined women who despite their issues dare to venture into the unknown.
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