The Terror

This is my first foray into Arctic exploration. I've harbored (no pun intended) a fascination for naval literature for years, since I read Avi's The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle years and years ago. I just find ship life very interesting. And I had encountered this particular book many times in the bookstores, so I just decided to go for it one day. I had a few false starts, but then–after reading some Indian literature, unrelated–I got completely into it.

Now, this book isn't flawless, and there have been complaints that The Terror is a little long on the description, but I thoroughly enjoy verbosity in books, especially when the verbosity is taking the time to explain things to you, taking the time to pinpoint every little detail of naval life, of Arctic life. It was utterly fascinating. And not a little chilling, with the mythological creature that terrorizes the crew of ships Erebus and Terror. It was so much fun to read, I was angry at having to go to work, because I was so involved in it. So I would most definitely recommend it, read it again, and read other things by Mr Simmons.

And I'm currently on an Artic Exploration kick. Woot!