This book also explores the 19th century fascination with the Arctic as a genuine scientific and adventurous pursuit. In this particular voyage, the lead protagonist, Erasmus, who comes from a scientifically-minded family, but is of middling success and talent, is conscripted to join a voyage lead by his would-be brother-in-law to be a naturalist on the ship. This ship’s main goal is to seek out the remains of the ill-fated mission of Franklin whose two boats Erebus and Terror were lost in the pack ice of the […]