Into White Silence

Anthony Eaton

Random House: Woolshed Press

September 2008 $23.95

393p pb

ISBN: 978-1741663259

Into White Silence is based around the allegedly true story of Lieutenant Downes as he journeys aboard the Raven, a Polar vessel destined for the South Pole in 1922. As the ship sails towards Antarctica, however, they encounter storms, losing some vital members of the crew. By the time the Antarctic ice is reached, mutiny and chaos are brewing quickly. One day, while smashing through the decametre-thick ice, the Raven becomes entrapped, and the crew is stranded. At first, things seem to be going well: that is, until the dogs vanish, the crew members begin to disappear or die of cold, and the expedition leader, Edward Rourke, goes mad.

By the end of the novel the last of the crew have abandoned the expedition, with the last of the supplies, looking for a way home. Rourke meets a shocking end. During this terrible time, Lieutenant Downes has stayed with his ship. “And so I too, shall venture out, into the white silence” are the final words in his journal.

This is truly a haunting novel. The fact that the novel contains extracts from Lieutenant Downes’ private journal, as well as research into the whole affair, shocked me with the reality of the thriller like horrors that occurred on board the Raven. The language is brilliant, the plot is very absorbing and the supportive research by the author is very thorough. Into White Silence would be suitable for readers aged fourteen and older. This historical adventure novel is definitely a must read.

Maria, age 16, Canberra, Australia