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I received this book thanks to Netgalley
What do you do when your hometown is beaten by a dreadful heatwave? You read one of Stef Penney’s stories to find yourself transported to the most northern, snowy and chilly places of the earth.
Under a Pole Star is a fictional recreation of the first expeditions who went to the North Pole in the late 1800s, journeys that were equally thrilling and dangerous. The main character is Flora Mackie, a motherless girl who, from the age of twelve, is taken by his father to Ellesmere Island on his whaler, spending most of her younger years living with the Eskimos. However, as she grows up into a young woman, his father no longer thinks a ship full of men is suitable for her, so she is left in Britain to get a formal education. But, for Flora, the North is her home and, despite women don’t travel to such places, she sets up an unprecedented expedition, leaded by herself.
I have enjoyed so much reading about these expeditions. First of all, they had to find sponsors to cover all the costs, to whom they would later named newly discovered peaks and lakes after. The men spent the winter in the Eskimos’ villages trading, packing and planning for their trips, which started in springtime and must inevitably include Eskimo hunters with their dog sleds, because the British and American men were unable to provide food or transportation for themselves under such conditions.
And then, from a humanly approach, the explorers were under the pressure of discovering something to bring back home, to have a successful adventure that claimed new land to their countries, to discover new species, new islands, new whatever; and such pressure may lead some of them to embellish their notes up to the point of deceiving the general public in order to get new funds for further journeys. All in an atmosphere of competition among the different expeditions in a land where the best you can do to survive is work together.
I could be talking about the expeditions forever, but coming back to the main storyline, I loved to see a female character leading groups of men into the Arctic. Everyone was really surprised to see a woman there – except for the Eskimos, who knew Flora since she was a child and could speak with her in their own language – so she had to look and act severe to be respected. The story also includes a romance between Flora and Jakob de Beyn, an American geologist who meets in Greenland, and goes back and forth between the two, one in America and the other in Britain. They share a deep fascination for those remote lands and the lack of attachment to the rest of the world, and this understanding leads to a unique love story.
I can’t help but recommend this book that, for me, has everything: historical notes about the golden age of explorers in the Arctic, a woman assuming what at the time was a man’s role, beautiful but indomitable lands, and a delightful romance.
PS: I chose this book because I have already read Penney’s The tenderness of wolves (review), which I also enjoyed.
Under a Pole Star
Stef Penney
Quercus Books
610 pages
momssmallvictories said:
This sounds like a book i would enjoy. The Nightingale I am reading now is similar, how an unlikely young woman helps soldiers cross the Pyrenees during WW2. Hope that heat wave breaks soon!!
Isi said:
Hi Tanya! Oh, I also want to read The nightingale; everybody loves that book!
The heatwave is over; we had a week of actual cold, I have to say, and now the temperature is going up again, but not to the point of human extermination, thank goodness.
This novel has been a help and, besides, this is one of those authors I think deserve more love, so I was looking forward to reading the book 🙂
Have a nice summer!
Melinda said:
I don’t read a lot of non-fiction, but I make up for that by reading historical fiction, which I really enjoy. Mainly because you get to learn so much about history. I’ve been trying to branch out to different *types* of historical fiction – the ones I don’t normally read and I think this one fits the bill.
The story line about the woman and her strength is also very appealing to me. Thanks for the beautifully written review, Isi. I’m glad to see you back reviewing books on your English blog!
Isi said:
Thank you for passing by and commenting, darling.
Yes, this book is different from other historical fiction books, and I liked its peculiarity – adventurers, new places to discover, challenges, and a strong main woman as the main character. I think you’ll like it as well. And take a look at other titles by this author, because her books are great!
ciskavanderlans said:
Can imagine you like to read about a cold destination during a heatwave. Love the idea of a strong woman in charge. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Isi said:
Thanks for your comment, Ciska!
Yes, I’ve found myself immersed in “winter books” this summer, which suits me well haha. I enjoyed this one a lot.