Into the Ice: Reflections on Antarctica is a thoroughly enjoyable read ‘for explorers and dreamers of all ages.'
Feature image credit: Allen & Unwin
Home of the South Pole and surrounded by the Southern Ocean, Antarctica is a destination unlikely to feature on the itineraries of all but the most intrepid travellers. Nevertheless, its geography, flora and fauna have fascinated and inspired explorers and artists since the land mass was first discovered.
Alison Lester and Coral Tulloch are much-loved Australian creators known for their numerous celebrated books. They share a deep connection for the vast southern continent of Antarctica. After many visits, they now have ‘ice in their veins’ and have created a shared journal to build greater understanding of this place that’s inspired them. The work achieved Notable Book status in the 2025 CBCA Eve Pownall Award.
From the opening pages, Into the Ice: Reflections on Antarctica drags us deep into the extremes of a journey across the vast seas to ‘an old, ancient world, seen new.’ At the start of her first voyage, Lester is warned to count the steps from her bunk to her cabin door, then count again to the exit. They are travelling into a storm, and a quick escape will be vital if the ship capsizes. It’s a sobering send-off. Tulloch’s descriptions of waiting out the conditions ‘in this surreal landscape that convulses under us as the ice scrapes and moans against the ship’ are a vivid recollection of the powerlessness of being stuck, wedged into solid ice, waiting for the storm to pass.
Into the Ice: Reflections on Antarctica works both as an absorbing ‘beginning to end’ read and a compendium of musings, artworks, historical facts and diary entries that can be digested in small bites. There are photographs, line drawings and coloured illustrations, some created by Tulloch and Lester, others chosen from the collections of museums, scientific organisations and libraries.
Sections of text from the two authors are labelled with their initials and are interspersed with quoted passages from other works and expeditions. These brilliantly evocative journal entries are matched to archival material that adds to this portrait of a strange and intriguing land. Captain Robert F. Scott (1905) described ‘… an atmosphere in which all Nature should rejoice,’ an opinion supported by Tulloch and Lester’s heartfelt memories.
The illustrated journal is absorbing for those who already have a passion for polar exploration and is a captivating introduction for readers not yet in awe of Antarctica’s unique landscape. The books pages are filled with facts, photos, quotes, snippets of text and whimsical drawings. There is a list of images and an annotated section on sources that will be helpful for readers wishing to dive deeper.
The gruelling conditions suffered by explorers such as Mawson and Shackleton are acknowledged in passages revealing the horrors of frostbitten ears and fingers, and the sadness at leaving behind beloved ponies, dogs, and cats. From trying to place a satellite tag on a whale’s tail, to marvelling at an ‘upside-down’ mountain with snow at the base instead of the peaks, the vignettes allow readers glimpses into a world beyond the reach of most.
Reviewed by Jo Vabolis
The views expressed in this review belong to the author and not Glam Adelaide, its affiliates, or employees.
Distributed by: Allen & Unwin
Released: October 2024
RRP: $35
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