Ice

by Anna Kavan
Ice cover
Good Books rating 3.62
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
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Technical
  • ID: 1911
  • Added: 2025-10-11
  • Updated: 2026-03-10
  • ISBN: 9781805330981
  • Publisher: Steerforth Press
  • Published: 2025-04-29
  • Formats: 27
  • Reviews: 4

In a world slowly succumbing to an encroaching ice age, society crumbles as a nameless narrator embarks on a surreal and relentless pursuit of a white-haired girl he once loved. The narrative unfolds through a series of nightmarish and shifting scenes, where the girl remains elusive, guarded by a powerful enemy known as the Warden and a cruel older woman. The narrator's journey is fraught with violence and self-destruction, reflecting the broader themes of environmental catastrophe and possessive violence. /n/n Anna Kavan's Ice is a dystopian classic that anticipates climate fiction and the New Weird literary genre. Published in 1967, the novel's visionary prose and deep compassion for its characters have garnered praise from notable figures like Doris Lessing and J.G. Ballard. The story's oneiric quality and unforgettable imagery make it a compelling exploration of human psyche and the devastating effects of climate change.

Reviews
Fantasy Hive · 2025-03-01
harrowing 3.50

The novel explores themes of abuse and control, with the girl being objectified by the narrator and the warden.

Fantasy Hive's review highlights the novel's exploration of abuse and control. The girl in the story is seen as an object of desire and control by the narrator and the warden, which is a central theme of the book. This perspective adds a layer of critique to the narrative, making it a powerful commentary on power dynamics and objectification. The novel's focus on these themes makes it a compelling and thought-provoking read.

Quick quotes

    Ice is a novel about abuse.

    The girl is only seen by the narrator and the warden as a desirable object, something for them to control and possess.

    This perspective adds a layer of critique to the narrative.

A Sky of Books and Movies · Jeroen · 2024-12-09
intriguing 4.00

The book is a challenging read that requires interpretation, but it is enjoyable. The narrator's struggle is hinted at throughout the story.

Jeroen found Ice to be a challenging read, but they enjoyed the process of interpreting the narrative. The book drops many hints about the narrator's struggle, making it a rewarding experience for those who delve deeper. The act of interpretation adds a layer of engagement that enhances the reading experience. The narrative's complexity is part of its appeal, as it invites readers to piece together the story and the narrator's journey.

Quick quotes

    I found it a challenging read, but enjoyed the act of interpretation.

    Kavan actually drops a lot of hints about the narrator's struggle with ...

    The book is a rewarding experience for those who delve deeper.

Radhika's Reading Retreat · 2018-03-17
unique 4.00

The book is praised for its disorienting and dreamlike quality, which is seen as its strength. It defies logic in a way that enhances the reading experience.

The reviewer finds the book's disorienting and dreamlike quality to be its greatest strength. They appreciate how the novel defies logic, creating a sense of being in a dream where anything can seem real. This surreal aspect is seen as a powerful tool that enhances the overall reading experience, making it a unique and memorable read. The reviewer enjoys the strangeness and the way it challenges the reader's perceptions.

Quick quotes

    It's a book that is disorienting and defies logic and that is precisely its strength.

    It's as if we are in a dream where anything can seem real.

    The strangeness and dreamlike quality of the book are its greatest strengths.

The Rumpus · 2017-11-29
thoughtful 3.00

The novel is seen as a critique of violence, with a fatalistic attitude towards it. It explores themes of control and possession.

The reviewer notes that the novel is suffused with a fatalistic attitude towards violence, which it critiques while acknowledging the inevitability of many forms of violence. The story's focus on themes of control and possession is highlighted, particularly in how the girl is objectified and seen as something to be controlled. The reviewer appreciates the novel's depth and its exploration of these dark themes.

Quick quotes

    The novel is suffused with a fatalistic attitude towards violence while it critiques it.

    The girl is only seen by the narrator and the warden as a desirable object, something for them to control and possess.

    Many forms of violence are beyond redemption.

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