Into the Great Solitude: An Arctic Journey

by Robert Perkins

The author chronicles his effort to retrace the journey of British Navy Captain George Back, who explored the Alaskan tundra in a canoe in 1834.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel

220 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1987, Robert Perkins paddled alone down the Back River from north of Great Slave Lake to sea in the Arctic. The river was first explored in 1834 by a British naval Captain, George Back. I love to read books about survival and journeys in inaccessible places, but this book is not exceptional. About 2/3 the way through, however, Perkins has a major awakening and his writing improves and he has more to say of interest besides describing his maneuvers through rapids. He begins to recognize the importance of the land and the importance of its existence apart from humans. At the end he looks back at “the river, the loons, the rocks, the wind, the wolves, the fish, the birds—even the black flies...” and he hears them say, “If you love us – really love us – don’t come back.”

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of the Back river flowing through Canada and the trip through the area in the mid - 1980's. The author toggles between the journals and notes of the river's namesake, who travelled there in the 1800's and the author's trip notes and his own wrestles with his relationships between himself and his father and girlfriend. It was well-written with some interesting interactions with nature and historical references. I'd probably rate it a 3.5 if I could and so I'm rounding up to a four star rating.

[Megan Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5