Degrees of Separation
Fearnley, LaurenceOn board an aircraft, as it makes its way from the Antarctic to New Zealand, three people sit quietly, reflecting on their past summer on the ice. Sally, a composer who has been searching for inspiration; William, a bird scientist who has been visiting Antarctica since the 1960s, and Marilyn, a young communications operator, tell their stories in alternating chapters. Contrasting the beauty and vastness of the Antarctic with the banality and discomfort of life on the ice, Degrees of Separation focuses on themes of love and memory. NZ Interest.
Comments from Groups
10/10 from one member! We loved the construction, the links & connections through the book which never reveal themselves to the characters. Well written book, interesting also. Napier 024Great discussion. Very readable with acute characterisation. A very realistic portrayal of an `imagined` place (by the general public, we have never been there). Christchurch 064We thought the book was very well written. The co-incidences were quite clever in that were merely hinted at but left to the readers imagination to follow through. The shifts between the Antarctic & the plane were a bit disconcerting. The characters were well drawn. Ashbuton 005Mixed reaction. Having been to Antarctica, I don't feel the author did it justice. Not keen on the swear words. Light read, inconclusive ending. Tauranga 004
Pages
233
233
Year
2006
2006
Reviews
21-01-2021
Most enjoyed the book although it was slow moving. Some found the characters frustrating. A different perspective on Antarctica - rather than the romantic ideal we mostly have.
21-01-2021
Divided opinions. Some loved the book, others found it hard going.
21-01-2021
A couple of our members weren't inspired by this book, and didn't read past the first few chapters. Yet when we discussed it they were more interested in how it had turned out. Others enjoyed all the different characters and how they were described, and how the Antarctic was described also. This book's feedback was very varied.
21-01-2021
Notes were valuable. Some of us just loved the descriptive sensory language, others found the lack of "true" plot disconcerting.
21-01-2021
Not a popular read. Most members did not finish the book and those that did -at times- struggled to continue to the end. The relationship between the characters and the landscape was clear, an artist would say that the novel lacked colour - that is the landscape of the Antarctic - colourless and silent. We would not recommend this book although I think that there would be readers that would enjoy it.
21-01-2021
Everyone enjoyed this book. Some found its beginning difficult, but all appreciated Fearnley's skill in making subtle connections between the characters, and the gradual unveiling of them.
21-01-2021
All enjoyed this book. Found the writing descriptive and lyrical!
21-01-2021
All found Marilyn's character wet. Other than that an enjoyable book. All loved the inter-connections between the characters.
21-01-2021
Mixed reactions. Some found the descriptions of the landscape beautiful, and the unusual way of life quite interesting, but others found the plot and the insights of the main characters somewhat contrived. The notes were helpful in pointing out some of the connections missed.
16-10-2019
Quite some disagreement on the merits of this book and the plausibility of the characters. More enthusiasm shown for the setting of Antarctica.