Ethan Rutherford's North Sun is a historical novel following the doomed voyage of the whaleship Esther into Arctic waters. Through the crew's experiences with ice, isolation, and the whaling industry's brutality, Rutherford explores ambition, survival, and environmental destruction. The novel becomes both maritime adventure and meditation on hubris, proving that Rutherford writes about historical whaling with both period detail and contemporary resonance and that some voyages are doomed from the start.

WHY WE PICKED IT: Because Rutherford captures the claustrophobia and danger of Arctic whaling, showing how ambition leads men into deadly situations. This powerful novel reminds us that whaling was brutal and environmentally devastating, that the Arctic is unforgiving, and that Rutherford's prose is both beautiful and harrowing.

DETAILS: • Author: Ethan Rutherford • Publisher: Strange Object • Format: Paperback • Publication Date: March 11, 2025 • ISBN: 9781646053582 • Ships direct from distributor in 3–7 business days