This book is the pinnacle of 'a novel that wouldn't normally interest me but it's listed for the Man Booker and the writing is phenomenal'. Moby Dick comes to mind, which may put some readers off but if you loved the whale anatomy descriptions in the classic, then you'll enjoy these detailed and astonishing accounts of the characters' experiences in the elements.

Gripping, well-paced, engrossing, and truly gruesome at times. The North Water is an visceral story of the final days of the whaling boom, when the hunt for the dwindling population of whales, ships would sail even further north, where the sea is more ice than water. In these circumstances, you're risking being stranded in the ice for months or even years. Amongst this setting we have sailor's accounts of them battling the elements, each other, and for the most part, themselves.

As a debut this book is brilliant, and one I would recommend to everyone.