The White Darkness

The White Darkness
By Geraldine McCaughrean
Oxford University Press

Summary: Symone was in love with a man who was dead, she'd never even met him. His name was Titus Oates, an explorer who had braved the ices of Antarctica. Yet Sym held conversations in her head with this man, she felt like she knew him because of all the books she'd read. She loved everything thing about Antarctica and she'd read everything about it too. In books given to her by her father and Uncle Victor. That's why when Uncle Victor turns their "Paris Trip" into a full fledged Arctic Adventure, Sym doesn't protest. She's finally getting her dream come true! When they arrive though, She wonders if her Uncle Victor is coming for the excitement of exploring...or is there something else on his mind?

"When the White Darkness sets in, it's such a kindness. All shadows disappear - the sky, the ground - leaving nothing but a milky, trembling nothingness. It's a sweet light, a pleasant light, like lying under a sheet on a summer morning: the presence of light without any of the usual complications - like being able to see. Perfect ignorance was like this, I remember: a feeling of enlightenment without ever quite grasping what was going on. They call it the White Darkness." (305)

Personal Review: The White Darkness is a fascinating, chilling story. The language McCaughrean uses in her novel is so rich and beautiful, I enjoyed every page of it. It made me want to be an explorer myself even though Sym's experience was less than enjoyable. While terrifying, McCaughrean's descriptions are also exciting. It was a very enjoyable read and I would recommend it to young adults of all ages. There was nothing in it too disturbing or offensive to stop me from recommending it.

This video shows the passage of time in Antarctica during the different seasons