Dark Matter (21 page)

I first visited Spitsbergen in summer 2007, when I travelled by ship around the whole archipelago, putting in at many beautiful, desolate places, including ruined mines and trappers’ camps. I’ve drawn on that voyage for Jack’s experiences at the time of the midnight sun, and for his initial impressions of Gruhuken. Last winter I returned to Spitsbergen – to reacquaint myself with huskies, to do some snowshoeing in the dark, and to get the feel of the polar night.

Concerning Spitsbergen as it was in the early twentieth century, including the lives of trappers, sealers, and those who made scientific expeditions to the islands, I’m particularly indebted to the following:
The Diaries of Thorleif Bjertnes (Nordaustlandet 1933–34
) (translated by Lee Carmody, Svalbard Museum, 2000);
Spitsbergen: An Account of the Exploration, Hunting, Mineral Riches and Future Potentialities of an Arctic Archipelago
(R.N.R. Brown, London, 1920);
A Woman in the Polar
Night
(C. Ritter, London, 1955);
With Seaplane and Sledge in the Arctic
(G. Binney, New York, 1926);
Under the Pole Star – The Oxford University Arctic Expedition 1935–6
(A.R. Glen, London, 1937).

However I should make it clear that the characters in the story are imaginary, and weren’t intended to resemble any of those who took part in the real expeditions, which for the most part had happier outcomes than Jack’s. And in case anyone is tempted to seek Gruhuken on the map, it doesn’t exist. Moreover it’s not to be confused with the headland named Gråhuken, where a redoubtable trapper’s wife once overwintered (see A Woman in the Polar Night, above). I made Gruhuken up, and as far as I know, its precise topography isn’t to be found in Spitsbergen.

I’d like to thank the people of Longyearbyen for their warmth and helpfulness, especially my guides on numerous occasions, as well as the friendly and diligent staff of the fascinating Svalbard Museum. As always, my thanks go to my publishers, Orion, for their boundless enthusiasm and support, particularly my editor Jon Wood and assistant editor Jade Chandler; and to my wonderful agent, Peter Cox, who has encouraged me since I first mooted the idea for this story, almost a decade ago.

Finally, I’d like to stress that although Jack’s impressions of Longyearbyen in 1937 were dismal, it has changed a bit since then. I’ve always found it a delightful michelle paver
place, both in summer and winter. It’s well worth a visit, whether you love the Arctic or are simply curious to experience life in the far north.

Michelle Paver, 2010