The Terror

The Terror
By Dan Simmons
Bantam Books, 2008
ISBN 978-0553818208

What happens when cultures collides with another, and how much does it damage us when we remain wilfully ignorant of those that are different from ourselves? These are two of the points central to the horror book, The Terror, by novelist Dan Simmons, a story set in 1840 about the Franklin expedition’s doomed quest to find its way through the Northwest Passage. The book documents the downfall of the two ships the SS Erebus and the SS Terror, led by the blinkered and idiotic leader of the exhibition, Sir John Franklin.

The journey’s problems begin in earnest, when the two ships become locked in ice on their way to the Artic. The true horror becomes apparent however, when during the aftermath of a violent storm one of the ship’s crew accidentally kills an ageing shaman. After taking in the shaman’s mute daughter, the two ships soon come under attack by a strange white bear that cuts a swath of bloody destruction through both ships’ crews. This leaves the heroic Francis Crozier with the desperate task of leading his men to safety, through the threats of madness, scurvy and the dreaded white bear.

This book combines Inuit legends, supernatural horror and historically accurate research to brilliant effect. What makes it such a compelling read though, is the way the book subverts expectations to such good effect. Most of the book is subtly devoted to reinforcing various ideas that the reader may have about what is happening, only for the narrative to yank the rug out beneath your feet. Characters are unearthed that live up to the worst possible stereotypes, only to be subverted or act as a prelude to new characters that shatter these same stereotypes. The author’s style of writing forces the character’s prejudices upon the reader, allowing the person reading to recognise them for what they are: harmful and isolating. Nowhere is this clearer then in the last few chapters, where the book changes perspective from that of the men aboard the ship to that of the Inuit people. It is now that you understand the events that led to this point and just how much hidden depth these ‘primitive’ people have. It is a beautiful and poetic ending, which really captures the mysterious and delicate nature of Inuit Shamanism.

Now as good as the book is, it does have some flaws. It is a long book and at times it does feel like it. While the overall story manages to remain compelling, there are times when you wish the book could have been slightly tighter and less unwieldy. The other flaw is slightly more complex, for it serves the story, and at times it serves it a bit too well for comfort. The book introduces its stereotypes sometimes long before it demolishes them, and there were times when it makes for uncomfortable reading. Ultimately though, they are an important part of the story and make the shifts of perspective that much more satisfying.

Overall this is an excellent book that I thoroughly recommend. At its core it brilliantly mixes Inuit shamanism, historical horror and the internal battle of man with his or her own prejudices.