Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy
"My life has been a migration without a destination, and that in itself is senseless. I leave for no reason, just to be moving, and it breaks my heart a thousand times, a million. It's a relief to at last have a purpose. I wonder what it will feel like to stop."
Synopsis
“Franny Stone has always been the kind of woman who is able to love but unable to stay. Leaving behind everything but her research gear, she arrives in Greenland with a singular purpose: to follow the last Arctic terns in the world on what might be their final migration to Antarctica. Franny talks her way onto a fishing boat, and she and the crew set sail, traveling ever further from shore and safety. But as Franny’s history begins to unspool—a passionate love affair, an absent family, a devastating crime—it becomes clear that she is chasing more than just the birds. When Franny's dark secrets catch up with her, how much is she willing to risk for one more chance at redemption?” -Via Goodreads
Review
Franny Stone is more than just a woman with a past; there is a wildness in her that she cannot tame. This wildness has led her on a harrowing journey tracking the migration of the last arctic terns. Franny will do anything to follow these beloved birds, especially when all wildlife has become extinct.
There are many concepts to digest while reading this novel, but what stood out to me the most were the feelings of entrapment that Franny continually feels. Although she can never stay in any one place for too long, Franny’s journey across the arctic and then down south becomes a way for her to acknowledge tragic events in her past. At the same time, McConaghy interweaves a vital connection between humans, animals, and nature, discussing the dangers of human indifference and how it causes immense destruction to the planet. The concept is further complicated as Franny becomes close with a crew of fishermen on their journey to find more fish, despite how unsustainable it has become. Essentially, the relationships are complex and provide a sense of understanding and love during times of tragedy. The structure of the story includes many flashbacks used to fill in pieces of Franny’s past. I didn’t find these instances distracting because I wanted to know more about how the protagonist ends up where she does, and the transitions were relatively smooth.
If you are into eco-fiction, then this is probably the book for you. Migrations takes place in the not-so-distant future, making it difficult to read. If you suffer from climate anxiety, you may not take solace in Franny's story. I will say the prose is beautiful, heart-wrenching, tragic, and full of power and love for the environment while also acknowledging how we destroy it. McConaghy's novel was definitely a tumultuous ride, but I loved every moment of it. I recommend coming into the book knowing very little, as it will heighten a sense of discovery and revelation as we follow Franny's journey through the arctic seas.