Anna’s Book

A fictionalized account of the 1897 attempt by three Swedish balloonists–S. S. Andree, Knut Fraenkel, and Nils Strindberg (nephew of the playwright)–to free-fly over the North Pole and back. As related through diaries addressed to Nils' fiancÉe Anna, the voyage begins optimistically enough. Soon, however, it becomes very rough… MacBeth (The Katana, The Survivor) brings a real tautness to the Nils-narrated story. Especially impressive is the palpability of physical detail and atmosphere: the Arctic light; the ingenious menus planned around the stored dried-foods and the exotic fresh-killed meats.