Dark Matter – Michelle Paver

“I don’t think we will ever learn the truth of what happened at Gruhuken. However I know enough to be convinced that something terrible took place.” (Citation page 2)

Content

Jack Miller always wanted to be a physicist, but there had just been money for the University College. Now he is twenty-eight years old and when he is asked to join an Arctic expedition as communications man, he takes his chance. Their camp will be at Gruhuken, in the Nord-East corner of Spitsbergen, which means one year in an uninhabited region, including four months of complete winter-darkness. As Teddy, their medico, had to stay in London and Hugo, the glaciologist, had broken his leg during the journey and had to go back to Tromsø, only three of them, Algie, the geologist, Gus, the biologist and leader of the team, and Jack as their communications man arrive at Gruhuken the 7^th August 1937. It seems that their Norwegian skipper knows more about the lonely wilderness of Gruhuken, than he wants to tell them, he just mentions that Gruhuken is a place where strange things had happened and could happen again.

Theme and Genre

This novel, set in lonely, dark Arctic nights, is a gripping ghost story with strong psychological elements.

Characters

There are three main characters, wealthy upper class Oxford studied Gus and Alchie, and Jack. At the beginning, Jack feels the social difference between them and himself, but soon they work together as a team. When the story expands and at the end of October the darkest part of the year begins, the period of endless nights, the events focus on Jack.

Plot and Writing

The story is told by Jack Miller as first-person narrator, as it is based on his personal journal with almost daily entries, and therefore written chronologically. The setting in the dark, cold, foggy, snowy Arctic loneliness and isolation together with some secrets and shadows to be seen and felt is perfect for an atmospheric fearful story. “The Arctic calls”, or cabin fever, the Norwegians call it “rar”, when men go mad from the dark might be one psychological, logical explanation, or, as Jack says to himself: “But the thing to remember, Jack, is that it’s only an echo. It’s like a footprint or a shadow.” (Citation page 120). However, the days reveal that the main problem for Jack is not to be there alone, but the question, whether he is really alone. Impressionistic, scenic descriptions complete the story, leading you immediately into the beautiful, but merciless and dangerous Arctic wilderness.

Conclusion

A gripping, suspenseful story that sends a shudder down your spine, an enjoyable read especially for dark evenings.