Six young people meet on an archaeological dig in a remote corner of Greenland. Excavating the unsettling remains of a Norse society under attack, they also come to uncover some of their own demons, as it becomes apparent that a plague pandemic is sweeping across the planet and communication with the outside world is breaking down. Increasingly unsure whether their missives will ever reach their destination, each of the characters writes a letter to someone close to them, trying to make sense of their situation and expressing their fears and dwindling hope of ever getting back home...In fluid, witty prose, Moss weaves a rich tapestry of personal narratives, history, ghost stories, love stories, stories of grief and naked survival. Through these missives, the author explores themes that are at the very heart of our existence: What do people do in extremis? What do they think when faced with near-certain death? How do the group dynamics shift under such strain?
Cold Earth
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Review
'An apocalyptic take on Lord Of The Flies meets The Secret History'- Metro -- Review
'Few first novels are as topical as this ... There is a lot to enjoy' - Financial Times
-- Review
'You be glad that you've read Cold Earth ... It breathes authenticity'- Guardian -- Review
`An astounding piece of imaginative fiction taking the reader to the ends of the earth' - Bookseller
-- Review
`It is almost perfect ... This is an unusually promising first novel'- Times Literary Supplement -- Review
`Just as you think you've pinned her down, Moss nimbly changes genres ... you really must read it' - Big Issue -- Review
`Moss's stark writing delivers stinging splashes of cold water. Every element is distilled for purity of purpose' - The Times
-- Review
`Tense and clever' - Diva magazine
-- Review
`Utterly gripping' - Independent -- Review
`Utterly gripping'- Independent
-- Review
'Few first novels are as topical as this ... There is a lot to enjoy' - Financial Times
-- Review
'You be glad that you've read Cold Earth ... It breathes authenticity'- Guardian -- Review
`An astounding piece of imaginative fiction taking the reader to the ends of the earth' - Bookseller
-- Review
`It is almost perfect ... This is an unusually promising first novel'- Times Literary Supplement -- Review
`Just as you think you've pinned her down, Moss nimbly changes genres ... you really must read it' - Big Issue -- Review
`Moss's stark writing delivers stinging splashes of cold water. Every element is distilled for purity of purpose' - The Times
-- Review
`Tense and clever' - Diva magazine
-- Review
`Utterly gripping' - Independent -- Review
`Utterly gripping'- Independent
-- Review
Review
`An astounding piece of imaginative fiction taking the reader to the ends of the earth' - Bookseller
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By Andrew Sutherland
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
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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.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Dr. M. Ford
VINE™ VOICE
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.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Cold Earth tells the story of a group of six young academics on an expedition to Greenland to excavate a deserted Norse settlement. The group consists of a diverse bunch of characters, including archaeologists, anthropologists and an English Lit postgrad who is researching the influence of old Norse sagas on Victorian poetry. As they set out on their journey, the media are just beginning to whip up a storm of hysteria about a deadly bird-flu type virus which is spreading across parts of the US and Europe.
The book is set out in the form of letters written by the six to their loved ones back home. In line with their experiences, the tone of the letters starts out quite hopeful and positive, but gradually becomes more fearful and desperate as they come to terms with their seemingly hopeless situation. Their sense of isolation intensifies as their communications systems start to fail (though a combination of bad luck and bad planning) and they have no idea what has happened to their families, and whether anyone even knows that they are still alive and need to be rescued.
The star of the book for me was Nina (who narrates the first and largest chapter). There are hints to some sort of mental instability in her past, and she is the first of the group to succumb to the pervading sense of fear and superstition which hangs over the camp. Thanks to Nina's visions and tales of 'things that go bump in the night', the rest of the team start to have doubts about whether they really are alone on the island.
This was a wonderfully eerie and entertaining read. I see from other reviews that there's some criticism of the ending and some readers would have preferred something more ambiguous. Personally I liked it and thought it gave an interesting slant to the story. I've really enjoyed Sarah Moss's two novels - both of which feature a cast of interesting and recognisable characters and are set on cold, remote islands with dark histories - not surprising when you consider she has also written an anthology called 'Scott's Last Biscuit' (a collection of writings by and about polar explorers) and she wrote her doctoral thesis on polar travel writing.
The book is set out in the form of letters written by the six to their loved ones back home. In line with their experiences, the tone of the letters starts out quite hopeful and positive, but gradually becomes more fearful and desperate as they come to terms with their seemingly hopeless situation. Their sense of isolation intensifies as their communications systems start to fail (though a combination of bad luck and bad planning) and they have no idea what has happened to their families, and whether anyone even knows that they are still alive and need to be rescued.
The star of the book for me was Nina (who narrates the first and largest chapter). There are hints to some sort of mental instability in her past, and she is the first of the group to succumb to the pervading sense of fear and superstition which hangs over the camp. Thanks to Nina's visions and tales of 'things that go bump in the night', the rest of the team start to have doubts about whether they really are alone on the island.
This was a wonderfully eerie and entertaining read. I see from other reviews that there's some criticism of the ending and some readers would have preferred something more ambiguous. Personally I liked it and thought it gave an interesting slant to the story. I've really enjoyed Sarah Moss's two novels - both of which feature a cast of interesting and recognisable characters and are set on cold, remote islands with dark histories - not surprising when you consider she has also written an anthology called 'Scott's Last Biscuit' (a collection of writings by and about polar explorers) and she wrote her doctoral thesis on polar travel writing.
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3.6 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Cold, not chilling
I was really looking forwards to reading this. The concept of an isolated group coming to the slow realisation that they may be the only surviving remnant of humanity is a... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mr. Paul S. Bird
4.0 out of 5 stars
Laughter to fear!
Came to this after reading Night Waking - an excellent story too. Cold Earth had me absolutely gripped - quite unputdownable - literally! Read more
Published 9 months ago by Alison Kay
1.0 out of 5 stars
Gave up very quickly
Usually once I start a book I tend to persevere for too long even though I'm not really enjoying it. Read more
Published 10 months ago by R. Jones
4.0 out of 5 stars
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 13 months ago by Ms. J. K. Moore
5.0 out of 5 stars
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 13 months ago by S Riaz
4.0 out of 5 stars
'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 14 months ago by ijhodgson
1.0 out of 5 stars
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 15 months ago by wanderer
2.0 out of 5 stars
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 17 months ago by Ray Blake
4.0 out of 5 stars
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 20 months ago by Mrs B
1.0 out of 5 stars
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 20 months ago by Parker
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