Ice by Anna Kavan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A haunting and *very* disturbing novel that could be right at home in today's dystopian libraries. 1967 when it came out, but reminds me of The Road but downright sinister.

Officially, this is supposed to be a SF and was billed as part of the Slipstream SF of the time, in the same category of Christopher Priest, Ballard, and some PKD, and I totally get that impression--but to me it just reads like a mirror darkly of an early Bond novel, but instead of a dashing secret service guy, we've got a serial rapist who can't seem to understand if he's himself or his nemesis.

Which, on the surface of it, sounds both intriguing (nemesis) and ugly as all fuck for the rest. And perhaps it would be, except for the worldbuilding--which is truly nightmarish. The oncoming slow advance of the ice, everywhere, and all the nasty horrors that people might do to each other as it all goes to hell.

So yeah, this book is very memorable, stark, and horribly disturbing all at once. Even the end, where there's a single moment of kindness...

It's a good mindfuck of a novel--but not for the light of heart.

Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to requests. Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.

Arctunn.com



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