Rosie Thomas (The Kashmir Shawl, The Illusionists) tackles daunting Antarctica in Sun at Midnight, a beautifully romantic novel. Thomas, who has traveled to the continent, aptly captures its harsh terrain, forbidding isolation and its appeal--especially for those who wish to escape society. One such man is James Rooker, reticent about his past and happy to sign on as mechanic and handyman for a group of scientists set to spend a summer exploring Antarctica.
Somewhat to her own surprise, Alice Peel is one of those scientists. She is a geologist, but her mother, the famous Margaret Mather, was a biologist of worldwide repute who undertook several Antarctic expeditions in her youth. Margaret would love to go again, but she is too elderly and frail for this trip, and begs Alice to go in her stead. Unable to tell her mother no, especially after she discovers her boyfriend cheating on her, Alice agrees to join the team.
The tiny settlement that becomes Alice and Rooker's home for the brutal Antarctic summer is a microcosm of the world at large as the 10 scientists and support staff members are thrust into constant, isolated contact. Jealousies, lust, hate and affection abound, and one thing is sure: none of them will leave unchanged--if they survive.
A charming story, set in a fascinating location, Sun at Midnight is a compelling novel. Originally published in the U.K. in 2004, American audiences are sure to be pleased finally to get their hands on it. --Jessica Howard, bookseller at Bookmans