Customer Reviews

Northern Edge

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Barbara Quick's novel draws you in with its promise of an adventure story set in the harsh Arctic wilderness, and this it certainly delivers, with marvelous descriptions of hard-won survival in the stark and surreally beautiful Alaskan tundra. But it is much more than a high adventure tale in the Jack London tradition: tucked within Quick's page-turning episodes of deadly storms, hungry bears, and fatal river crossings is one of the most memorable evocations of female friendships you will ever read. Add to this her many haunting images, such as birds taking their first flights and white-night sunsets, and you have a book that will hasten your reading to the end but remain in your mind for a long time afterwards.

I've always dreamed of picking up and moving to Alaska so my enjoyment of the book was partly living vicariously. There are moments where this book truly succeeds in becoming utterly absorbing and original. Quick is obviously a very good writer who can convey the environment well--even a foreign environment like the desolate outskirts of Alaska. Where the book has trouble in it's tale of a lady who leaves a non-challenging administrative job to move to Alaska and unexpectely finds herself in a field position, is that the book doesn't seem to know whether it is a soap opera or an woman/nature adventure book. It swings wildly from one to the other without committing itself enough on either. However, it was still a very enjoyable read. It just left me wishing it was twice as long so that both storylines would be better developed.

Whew! A real testament to the ability of women to see themselves in a different light when they courageously attempt new adventures. I know this book is out of print but anyone who is interested in good reading should try to track this book down for their library! Guess you could call and beg from the publisher? Superb writing...Barbara's talent holds you to every page. Talk about your surprise endings! Makes you feel good to be female and cultivate any bit of bravery you might have hidden under your curled and sprayed hair. Puts a perspective back into your ironing...enjoyed this so much I would recommend it very highly! Makes you want to take a trip where you don't have to worry if your makeup is smudged. Waiting for the sequel...where does Tay go from there?