The Ice Sings Back

by M Jackson

When a young girl goes missing in the remote wilderness of the western Oregon Cascades, her disappearance  sets off a chain of events that reveal a long history of violence, abuse of power, and environmental precarity. This is a story of how four women make sense of the everyday extraordinary traumas that contour their  lives, and how their individual strengths come together to sing a fierce hymn of survival.

Genres: Fiction

312 pages, Hardcover

Published February 20, 2023

Reviews

[Steve Ellerhoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A literary, kinda supernatural, psychological, literary thriller set in the Cascade Range of Lane County, Oregon, where I live? I was primed to love this book at bare-bone blurb, but the book provides even more than I hoped for. Women and girls go missing in the Three Sisters Wilderness -- have done for generations -- but what is going on, and why, and how? This novel revels in the questions. It also perches us marvelously close to the interior lives for four women as they grapple with the ongoing, unaddressed, neglected, mysterious vanishing of women. It reads like a feminist David Lynch headscrew, keeping you guessing, keeping you pondering. Surrounded as we are by the awesome expanse of wilderness here in Oregon, perhaps the thing I love most about this book is the sense it makes. M Jackson enlivens the senses in ways that are true to place, faithfully portraying our neck of the woods -- and giving us plenty to worry about when we strike off on remote trails... Can't recommend it enough.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is so much in this novel, and it is not easily categorized. There is mystery, certainly, as women and girls have been disappearing for years in the Three Sisters area of the Oregon Cascades, where this is set. There are also four strong women who's stories converge at various times in this telling. There is an undercurrent of something beyond the normal, a mystical sense of something happening that is not what it seems. There is sometimes science; this author is herself a glaciologist, and some of the descriptions of the clouds, the glaciers, the weather patterns, depict her science background. But even as a scientist this author writes with a beautiful poetry, about this beautiful, mysterious landscape, and the characters she has placed there. This was a 4.5 read for me.

[Cierra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from the author's publicist in exchange for an honest review.

This book has an intriguing premise that drew me in despite it not being a genre I'd typically reach for. It is also based in the western Oregon Cascades where I currently reside, so I was intrigued by the possibility of learning something about the history of the region.

The book follows four women that are denoted in chapters as The Mother, The Medic, The Scientist, and The Daughter. The common theme that weaves all four narratives together is that each woman has experienced a form of deep, wounding trauma that impacts the way they move through their current career. Additionally, a theory emerges in the book that the ice of the Collier Glacier on the west side of North Sister is somehow impacting each woman's life. The Ice becomes a proper noun at some point and is enveloped in a mystifying feeling that none of the women seem to be able to fully pull away from. I appreciated their stories and how each of them took steps to take back their power or control after their traumas left them feeling powerless.

Albeit, while the intrigue was enough to get me through the book to its end, I can't help but feel somewhat underwhelmed by the resolution. The overall impression I take away from this book is that it covered a large swath of topics in a very shallow depth. The most explored aspect of the book is the trauma that each woman has experienced, but I am disappointed that the supposed focal case (the disappearance of Amelia Kane) eventually becomes background noise and that the mystery of the ice is left unresolved (though I recognize that this is rooted in an actual academic field of acoustic ecology and findings are ongoing).

In all, I'd describe this book as a multiple-perspective exploration of deep trauma, a haven for those interested in geology and climatic science, and a drawn-out missing person/murder mystery.

"Women have to tell each other their stories, Ros. It's how we rise together."

[Starr Phoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

My only critique is that I wanted this book to be much much longer and explore the character's lives more. It has so many strong threads but was not enough quilt. Beautifully written. Powerful storytelling.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is almost unfair that an accomplished scientist can also produce a compelling mystery.

There is so much dramatic value to this book. The author's weaving of personal and ecological loss has become her trademark style, but this latest book is filled with suspense, intrigue, and characterization worthy of a feature film.

Of course, there is the ever-present earth science lesson amid all this literary eloquence. Phrases like “near perfect siderite” to describe a character’s skin shade;  “hot steam rolled up into the air like a hazy altostratus cloud.” Then there is the poetry that sweeps the reader off their feet. I especially enjoyed “trees like sentinels supervising the morning gloom,” and “patches of grass mosaiced in the stone.” The characters were all so vivid and real. Donna’s horrific past, Ros and Tove’s encounter, both sensual and compassionate. The reader is given license to explore right along with them, barely noticing the turning pages. I especially loved the “reality of ourselves collides with the idea of ourselves.” It stopped me in my read. M Jackson's storytelling effortlessly and eloquently infuses mystical sensibilities that are believable within the natural geophysical framework, and it is so compelling because it is so expertly integrated into a unique story.

That convergence of physical and transcendent order is both calming and enlightening, especially around the sinister urges of the human condition bent on destroying themselves and everything around them.

Bravo to unique storytelling. A joy to read.

[Christie Greeson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captivating and heartbreaking. I felt the ending was missing something - like May remembering when a character on Grey’s drove off into the sunset. I felt uncomfortable with the tying up of each thread. Maybe that was the intention? The writing was smart, elevated, with just enough science. I definitely wish I had gotten my copy signed when I had the chance.

[Lisa Francesca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is a wonderful combination of scientific and spooky. I ran into themes that are hard for me, intense domestic violence and devaluing of women -- so it is not my favorite book, but it is very well written. Could have used more editing around one character's attraction to another. Recognizable landscape around Eugene and Three Sisters!

[Staci Woodburn-Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this book. 3.5 stars. Especially recommend for any one who has spent time in Oregon. All of the local references will feel fun.

This is a little crime story for nerds. The author has an incredible academic resume, and I admire the wide variety of subjects she was able to speak to. But from a strictly literary point of view, I think that she should have dialed back the points she was trying to make. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm on her side. But it was just a bit obvious at times and didn't leave a lot of room for reading between the lines.

I also felt a little concerned that there were almost no men with any redeeming value in this book. It's like she needed to fit in every single abominable male trait that women encounter in our lives into a single story. Again, she's not wrong! I know most of these men. And they're awful. But I also know wonderful men. And I have a brilliant and kind, hard-working, loving, generous, thoughtful feminist, husband, so I feel a little sad that the female characters in this book had almost no positive interactions with men. I know that this exists. But it felt a little cramped in just a couple hundred pages to try to fit in every kind of miserable asshole out there.

But I enjoyed it quite a bit and she did a fantastic job of weaving a lot of things together into a single efficient tale.

[Sarah Rosenthal · Rating 2 out of 5]

I infrequently rank "mystery" or "crime" novels above three stars. Often, despite all attempts at a depth of character, this genre falls flat. I was excited about this one because its plot and concept seemed like it could break my three-star border. However, this novel still fell flat due to its poor choice of characters. The elements of storytelling, the unraveling of the crime, and persistent scientific themes were interesting and generally well executed. I am in Eugene for school. I loved the descriptions of the scenery and local references.
However, two of the narrative characters were insufferable. May's constant references to Grey's Anatomy were juvenile and devalued the intellect of her character. Ros was fascinating in the beginning, and her background was gripping. Yet, her developments with Tov were low-hanging fruit and were frankly a cheap shot to give the character a happy ending. Donna was the saving grace of this book. I loved how she was written. She felt real. Her internal dialogue and emotions were accurately complex given her upbringing and generally more interesting than the other two. Her love for her mother felt powerful, and her ending was just.
I recognize that the novel attempts to highlight that the story of lost women becomes the story of those trying to find them. A powerful interpretation of the stories of missing women across the globe. However, the characters used to carry this message cheapened its impact.

[Mitzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was hard to decide whether to give this book 4 or 5 stars. There were so many things that I enjoyed about The Ice Sings Back. First and foremost, there are many references to Eugene, OR (where I live) and the Three Sisters Wilderness area (where my family and I have done a lot of hiking). The plot and characters are also so intriguing. The story opens when a young girl goes missing on a hike with her mom. As the story continues, the reader is introduced to 3 other female characters who have suffered from trauma of one sort or another. It's a book that is hard to put down! The only thing that kept me from giving it 5 stars is the ending. My guess is that once I have had a chance to talk to others who have read the book and we share thoughts on the meaning of the ending, that I could possibly even end up giving this book 5 stars. Regardless, it's a great book and I certainly recommend it!

[Melani · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book did a good job of teleporting my big cozy reading chair into the cascades every time I settled in to start some page turning. The women in the story each find their own way of accepting and moving on with the realization that it isn’t a man’s world - it isn’t anybody’s world (men don’t realize this).
The theme of this book seems to be that we all interpret things through our own lived experiences, and it is naive of humans to think we are the only ones experiencing the world, or that too often we search for answers we are incapable of understanding because of our limited self-views.
The themes don’t do the book justice though - the details of the settings and the wilderness are the butter on Jackson’s bread. I could smell the forest, feel the dirt, and hear the ice. I could taste the coffee, feel her scar, and would brace my book against the wind as I read it.
I picked up this book at Tsunami Books in Eugene, one of my new favorite bookstores.

[Emily Poole · Rating 5 out of 5]

An ecological feminist novel based in the Oregon Cascades? Checks all the boxes for me! From the moment I picked this book up I was absorbed by the vivid settings and intense character dynamics. M Jackson’s explorations of female pain and joy intertwining with environmental pain and joy are a moving tribute to the resilient power of life.

Many thanks to the publisher for an advance copy of the book!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a particularly fun read if you're local to the Pacific Northwest. I loved reading a novel that referenced little old Eugene! That aside, I was captivated by Jackson's storytelling. There are intensely dark chapters that can be difficult to read, but the deeply feminine experience portrayed throughout this story was comforting, even through the darkest parts. What an interesting blend of ecology, ancestral wisdom, gender injustice, and more.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extraordinary and thrilling mix of relevant scientific facts, wonderfully poetic descriptions, urgent social issues and very intense characters. This book is set in a remote scenic volcanic mountain range in Oregon; the Three Sisters. All the "sisters" have or are experiencing loss and trauma and are learning to grow, heal, and find harmony in their new realities.

[Jackalacka · Rating 4 out of 5]

WTH did I just read? LOL. To say it’s a story about four women whose individual stories are all woven around the disappearance of a young girl on a mountain is short-changing it. So much mystery, science, feminism and social commentary mixed with mysticism. Oh and trigger warning - domestic violence. Just an FYI one of the bearings is pretty violent.

[John Kern · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy read, entertaining and engaging.

[John Bonanni · Rating 5 out of 5]

See review below under "John:
This is one great read.

[Nicki Angela · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't get past the first few pages. It started off annoying.

[Rachel Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish we got more of an ending for basically everyone but Leonie! Like what happened between Ros and Tove 👀 Loved all the different characters though

[D.S.G. Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genuinely thrilling with some first class tension. So much to like in one book: Oregon, and the wilderness, and women, and the women who miss them.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, M Jackson is a dynamic scientist and communicator. You can learn more about her here: https://www.klcc.org/podcast/oregon-g....

“The Ice Sings Back” is M’s first novel. The plot and the writing grow stronger with each chapter. The first chapter is disquieting and at times weak. When I finished the novel, I felt that perhaps this was M’s intent. You may agree when you finish the novel for yourself. As the plot moves along, M shares many observations about the stamina and intelligence of strong women and gives us several insights into glacier science. It would have been swell if the novel had a glossary!

As a retired editor, I continue to be disappointed in M’s publisher. The book is beautifully designed and beautifully bound. It was printed by one of my long-time vendors, and I am impressed by their work. That said, something went wrong at pre-press and the resulting typos and missed edits distract from M’s fine writing. I hope her publisher rectifies this.