Super Short Summary

Ian McGuire's novel The North Water follows ex-army surgeon Patrick Sumner, who joins a whaling ship, The Volunteer, seeking an escape from his traumatic past in India. Unaware of the crew's criminal intentions to sink the ship for insurance, Sumner must navigate a treacherous environment amid severe moral corruption, resulting in a brutal fight for survival in the icy waters. This book contains depictions of sexual assault and violent behavior.