Title: The Sun Is a Compass: A 4,000-Mile Journey into the Alaskan Wilds
Author: Caroline Van Hemert
First published March 19, 2019
320 pages, Hardcover
Rating: 4.28
Overview
Adventure seekers and nature lovers, get ready to embark on a thrilling journey through the Alaskan wilds. In The Sun Is a Compass, biologist Caroline Van Hemert takes readers on a 4,000-mile expedition from the Pacific Northwest to the Arctic in search of her passion for birds, nature, and adventure.
Tired of the isolation and sterility of the lab, Caroline and her husband seek to rediscover the beauty of the wild, guided by the sounds and trails of animals. Along the way, they face life-threatening dangers but also experience moments of pure joy and connection with the natural world.
This unique blend of science, personal narrative, and adventure explores the limits of the human body and the fragility of life in the company of wild creatures. With breathtaking descriptions of migrating birds and caribou, The Sun Is a Compass is a lyrical tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and the wonders of the natural world.
About the Author
Meet Caroline Van Hemert, a biologist, writer, and adventurer who has explored some of the world’s most challenging terrains. From the frozen pack ice of the Arctic Ocean to the murky swamps of the Okavango Delta, she has gone on some incredible expeditions that have been covered by noteworthy publications like the New York Times, MSNBC, and National Geographic.
Now, Caroline lives in Alaska with her family, including her husband and two young sons. When she’s not exploring new places, she splits her time between two homes – a secluded off-the-grid cabin in southeast Alaska and a cozy house in the heart of Anchorage.
Caroline has recently published her first book, showcasing her fascinating journey as an adventurer and a scientist.
Editoral Review
The Sun Is a Compass: A 4,000-Mile Journey into the Alaskan Wilds by Caroline Van Hemert is a thrilling memoir that takes readers on an exciting adventure into the heart of the Alaskan wilderness. A biologist by profession, Van Hemert and her husband embark on a 4,000-mile journey that takes them through some of the most breathtaking and treacherous landscapes on earth.
Van Hemert’s writing is vivid, poetic, and deeply introspective, painting a picture of a world that is at once beautiful and terrifying. Her characters are fully fleshed-out, with strengths and flaws that make them relatable and human.
Throughout the journey, she confronts challenges that test her physical and mental limits, and she emerges on the other side transformed. One of the strengths of The Sun Is a Compass is Van Hemert’s ability to weave together disparate elements into a compelling narrative.
She combines her personal story with scientific insights about the natural world, offering a unique perspective on the interplay between humans and the environment. Her story is both personal and universal, tapping into themes of adventure, courage, and connection that resonate with readers of all ages.
At times, the book can be slow-paced and introspective, but this is part of its charm. Van Hemert’s writing is nuanced and thoughtful, requiring readers to engage with the deeper themes and issues underpinning the story.
She is unafraid to ask tough questions and grapple with complex issues, making this a book that stays with readers long after they’ve put it down. Overall, The Sun Is a Compass is a masterful work of nonfiction that deserves a place on every adventure lover’s bookshelf.
With its gripping narrative, insightful commentary, and poetic language, it is a tour de force that showcases the best of what memoirs can be. Highly recommended.
Rating: 4.5/5
