The North Water

To begin, a warning: this ain't no summer read. I may have read it in the summertime, but this isn't the "relax, escape and get away from it all" kind of book. This shit is dark and cold and unforgiving, much like the setting where it takes place. Still, I managed to read it in a single day, which should give you some idea of how rich and compelling it is.

The North Water is the story of a crew of men on a whaling ship in the 1800s. They all have a reason for being there; none of those reasons seems particularly noble. One man, Patrick Sumner, is an Irish surgeon trying to hide from a dubious act was involved in while in the Army. Another man, Henry Drax, seems like the very embodiment of the seven deadly sins. You know from page five or so that this isn't going to be a carefree tale. And the deeper the crew gets into the cold ice floes of the ocean, you realize that with nearly every page turn comes unspeakable horror.

It's hard to recommend this book because of the dark nature of what happens on and off the deck of The Volunteer. But, if you can get through descriptions of the worst of what man can do to one another, you may come through on the other side with a deep appreciate for how Ian McGuire brings this world to life.

If you're seeking relaxation or even redemption from a book, keep looking. But, if you want flawed characters, vidid scenery and page-flipping storylines, grab this book. Though, you may want to wait until winter to crack it open.