Gavin Francis

“It is said to be one of our oldest stories, embedded in humanity’s DNA, when a young man goes to a far-off land in search of a terrible or wondrous beast. The Epic of Gilgamesh, Jason and the Golden Fleece, Beowulf – they all fit the template. Bruce Chatwin added his Patagonian journey to the list. For years the idea of Antarctica had murmured in my ambition; a desire to go to the remotest land on our planet, to see one of the most wondrous beasts alive.”

Memoir of the author’s year-long stay in Antarctica as part of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) research station at Halley, serving as the resident doctor. He had a strong desire to experience the type of solitude available in one of the most remote regions of the globe. He takes the opportunity to observe a nearby rookery for Emperor Penguins. The book is organized around the seasons. It is filled with reflections on his stay at Halley, along with observations about early expeditions, such as those of Scott and Shackleton.

Dr. Francis had time on his hands to observe the penguins, ski around the base, do plenty of chores and lots of reading. He gives us a good idea of what life was like on the base. The author’s lively and vivid style helps bring the stark beauty of this remote continent to life in the mind’s eye. I enjoy reading about adventures in places I will never personally experience. I very much enjoyed this combination of science, history, memoir, and meditation on solitude.

“It is April, soon after the autumnal equinox, and the refreezing of the sea is already well advanced. Emperor penguins are returning from a summer fishing, fat and gleaming, to mate on the new sea ice close to the edges of the continent. They are the only species evolved to survive these coasts through the winter. That they breed through it, carrying eggs on their feet as they shuffle through the darkness, is one of the wonders of the natural world.”
… (mais)

This is a survey of islands how they reflect and refract the view of the world. Are you isolated on an island for good or ill?
The author is clearly well travelled, lots of the Scottish islands, but also Antarctica and various tropical islands make an appearance, he also uses literary references to islands, in fact and fiction - Both Alexander Selkirk and Robinson Crusoe make several appearances.
At times it feels like he skips from topic to topic like a stone skimming on water. This is at its best when he spends a few pages on one topic or experience.
The illustrations are epic, though.
I'm not an isle-o-phile like the author, my obsession would be the sea, I'm happy on the mainland by the sea, knowing it's there.… (mais)