Member Reviews
Kevin H, Reviewer
Despite being immediately drawn in by the synopsis of this book, I was a little apprehensive going into this one. Whiteout tells the story of Rachael, who is on an expedition to Antarctica to gather data which she hopes will prove to American law makers, including the President (a Trump-like figure), that global warming is coming quicker than anticipated. The melting of the ice caps in Antarctica has the potential to affect sea levels in an unprecedented way and Rachael, along with her boss, Guy, are determined to make the world take notice.
Unfortunately, soon after the expedition starts, things take a turn for the worse. Illness, call offs, and worse than imagined weather phenomena, mean that Rachael becomes isolated and has only the BBC World Service for company - a service which has just announced a nuclear attack in the UK where Rachael has left behind her husband and young daughter.
As I say, I was immediately gripped by the premise of this story but I was worried that this could develop into a woman wandering around in the cold for hours, days, weeks and could become a little repetitive and boring. However, I need not have worried. Although the story is told largely in the present day, we have flashbacks as to why Rachael wanted to go on the expedition, her life at home etc. and the book, as well as being a thrilling, twisty page-turner, also deals with themes of marriage, motherhood, women in work and the battle between being a mother or a worker.
The other really positive thing is the book is just under 300 pages. I think anything longer could have risked becoming a drag, given there are only a handful of characters in the book and it takes place mainly in one setting but the relatively short novel keeps you intrigued until a brilliant conclusion.
A debut novel which shows great promise and an author I will definitely keep an eye out for in the future
