By Charlotte McConaghy
This book is about a woman, Franny Stone, who is obsessed with following the Arctic Tern on its annual migration from the North Pole to Antarctica. It takes place in the notsodistant future, where multiple species have gone extinct. There is one sanctuary in Scotland trying to save as many animals as it can, against impossible odds. During the course of the book, all commercial fishing is outlawed as there are no fish left in the oceans. Actually. None.
Franny is able to persuade a taciturn but likely with a heart of gold sea captain and his crew to let her, an unsafe, inexperienced liability onboard their vessel embarking from Greenland to capture the “Golden Catch” of fish hauls (pre-outlawing of fishing). Her bargain: she will help them navigate towards the fish by following the birds she has attached tracers to before boarding. The birds have to eat something on their journey, so by helping her be the first to follow their journey, she will sacrifice her morals, and allow them to kill precious fish.
As their journey continues to be plagued by tragedy, the reader finds out more about Franny’s personal tragedies. Franny has had an awful upbringing, a wandering yearning that is soul-deep, a romantic love affair, tragedy in her family, and violence that keeps presenting itself. It is an easy and compelling read, that while tragic, is also beautifully full of hope.
Soundtrack
- Blackbird by The Beatles
- FreeBird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
- When Doves Cry by Prince
- I’m Like a Bird by Nelly Furtado
- Broken Wing by Martina McBride
- Bird Set Free by Sia
- Sparrow by Emeli Sande
- Winter Bird by Aurora
Pros & Cons & Potential Spoilers
Pros
- I really enjoyed the environmental impact not being the main part of the story, but still vastly important. It wasn’t didactic.
- I was really riveted to finding out more about Franny, and making sure my instincts about her were valid
- The idea of being in a relationship that is grounded in such instant kismet, understanding, and appreciation is beautiful. It doesn’t seem very realistic to me, but a beautiful idea
Cons
- It’s an awful lot of tragedy to befall one person
- I am disappointed in the reaction of most of the world at the disappearing of wildlife, but not surprised
- Some things are purposefully left unresolved – I get it, but I hate it