- Paperback: 224 pages
- Publisher: Granta Books (1 Jun 2009)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 184708060X
- ISBN-13: 978-1847080608
- Product Dimensions: 21.4 x 13.4 x 2.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (68 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 179,061 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Cold Earth
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Product Description
Review
'One of the most powerful and gripping debut novels I have ever read' - Scarlett Thomas --Review
`Tense and clever' - Diva magazine
--Review
`Tense and clever' - Diva magazine
--Review
Review
`An astounding piece of imaginative fiction taking the reader to the ends of the earth' - Bookseller
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
Sarah Moss' debut novel isn't quite the ultra-frightener the broadsheets would have you believe, but it is an eerie and satisfying read. The narrative conceit is first-rate: six archaeologists are on a dig in Greenland when a killer plague sweeps the planet, leaving them isolated...so they hunker down in the Norse farmhouse they were excavating, get thoroughly spooked out and write a bunch of letters to their (potentially now dead) loved ones. These letters, which actually comprise the novel, chart the archaeologists' descent into superstition and panic and the reader is left to decide whether they are going genuinely mad or actually dealing with the paranormal...admittedly proceedings get somewhat creepy - mainly due to Moss' taut style. The book is short (less than 300 pages), understated and deeply engaging.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
What is it about? Six people with varying motives and varying levels of enthusiasm head to Greenland to excavate a ruined and pillaged farm site. The dig is set against isolation from the rest of the world which is suffering from a swine-flu like outbreak of unknown severity. The novel tells all of their stories against the back drop of the trials of surviving not only the bleak surroundings, but each other. With each character Sarah Moss offers less detail, just glimpses of who they are but with each narration there is more urgency as the reality of their danger becomes apparent. This is a thriller and the story will keep you engaged; it is also an exploration of people and how they deal with life's situations.
What's to like? The narrative is delivered in letters home from each of the characters which together with the David Mitchell-esque devices used in Nina's letters (is she dreaming, psychotic or is it real?) helps keep this a vigorous and compelling read - for the most part. The story is cleverly woven and has just enough fright value to keep some people (like me) awake at night!
What's not to like? The main narrator, Nina, is hard to empathise with until her very last contribution. The dénouement may leave you a little flat - but only until it sinks into your mind.
What should you buy next? Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell); the Rough Guide to Greenland; a night lite.
What's to like? The narrative is delivered in letters home from each of the characters which together with the David Mitchell-esque devices used in Nina's letters (is she dreaming, psychotic or is it real?) helps keep this a vigorous and compelling read - for the most part. The story is cleverly woven and has just enough fright value to keep some people (like me) awake at night!
What's not to like? The main narrator, Nina, is hard to empathise with until her very last contribution. The dénouement may leave you a little flat - but only until it sinks into your mind.
What should you buy next? Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell); the Rough Guide to Greenland; a night lite.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The story is presented in a somewhat tantalising way and reads as a page-turning thriller. It's well written - the prose is straightforward and fluent. Suspense builds nicely. In many respects Sarah Moss is teasing her readers which generally works - I found myself wanting to reach the end in order to discover whether the paranoia surrounding the virus was justified. Alas, the ending did not match expectations. The author should not have included the final 'chapter'. Instead the penultimate chapter would have been a wonderfully ambiguous ending. Also, there needed to be a better delineation between the 'voices' of the characters (Nina was fine but the others tended to blur). That said, this is an imaginative novel and a promising debut.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Suitable for read group discussion
This has been until recently a neglected second hand copy on a growing book shelf. I found myself pleasantly surprised. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Ms. J. K. Moore
Cold Earth
Six people are on an archeological dig in an isolated part of Greenland. Before the dig even starts there is a sense of unease, with a media panic about a pandemic said to be... Read more
Published 1 month ago by S Riaz
'Cold Earth': horror in Greenland
A story about 6 archaeologists stuck in Greenland, haunted by Norse ghosts whilst a full blown epidemic ravages Europe and the US? Read more
Published 3 months ago by ijhodgson
Tedious
What a disappointment- Sarah Moss could have mined the fantastic landscape she is trying to recreate instead the book starts with tedious thoughts of a horribly middle class,... Read more
Published 4 months ago by wanderer
Uninviting read
I can count on the fingers of one hand the books I have begun but not finished. Sadly this is one of them. I somply could not get through the density of the opening sections. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Ray Blake
Something a bit different
Not my normal type of book but it was something a bit different and I found it quite gripping. Observing different people's reactions to the growing realisation of a situation... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Mrs B
Feeble ...
It has to be a worry that a reputable publishing house like Granta published this feeble book - the situation is very promising, the background interesting but the writing is so... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Parker
Creepy and very atmospheric
Cold Earth tells the story of a group of six young academics on an expedition to Greenland to excavate a deserted Norse settlement. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Denise4891
What a fantastic story! Brilliant writing; great book!
Wow! What a great book! I read this like a woman possessed; couldn't put it down!
Okay, I admit to being a sucker for books set in or around or related to Greenland,... Read more
Okay, I admit to being a sucker for books set in or around or related to Greenland,... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Keen Reader
Very tense and enjoyable
I enjoyed this book as it is just a little different. A team of archeologists are in Greenland doing what archeologists do....excavating and digging in the dirt. Great fun! Read more
Published 11 months ago by Freckles
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