I found this book to be dreary. Yes it was atmospheric and you feel cold, but all of the vibes were stark and lonely and unhopeful in my opinion. There were heavy themes of loneliness, suicide, death, depression... I felt that the 'wandering soul' bit was too much-- I didn't understand it when taken to this level of extreme, I also didn't really understand the cold water swimming. Franny made little to no effort to communicate with others, which I felt led to many of her own issues? I don't like birds, and maybe I am too heartless to care about all the conservationist stuff here? Like yes, save the planet, but everything needs to be in balance Franny really desperately needs some fucking therapy. They got married too fast, I didn't feel or understand her drive to go south, nor her connection to the ship's crew and especially the captain Overall I agree with other reviewers that this book is slow and sad and focusing on grief and loss. Fanny was raw and confusing, which did not endear her to me. Ultimately I think I just didn't like Franny or care for her, so the sadness and the craft/structure of the novel did not hit home for me. Basically it was like 'read along with this tortured soul until we learn why for shock value at the 80% mark.' I do think there were a few nice lines and pithy comments on grief, loss, birds, loneliness Etc