[fantasyfan]

As I continue, I am growing more interested in this book and finding the narrative style engrossing. Ffor instance, at one point Jakob says this regarding the influence of Athos upon him:

"I was transfixed by the way time buckled, met itself in pleats and folds; . . ."

This could be an image for the narrative method of Michaels herself. As others have noted, she creates memory strata. As one can look at the various layers of rock, so one can look at the various layers of memory. Each sratum is unique but the whole provides a record which is greater than any individual moment.

In particular, I loved the sections detailing with the Scott Antarctic Expedition. On one level it failed; on another it was a powerful affirmation of humanity.

The actual story-line so far seems thin. But the narrative technique is very rich. I frequently feel that I am reading a profound meditation rather than a novel.