17 Comments
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Christopher Alden's avatar

Gorgeous essay! Having been to Antarctica three times, I can tell you it is vast beyond reproach yet not a lonely place. The glass squid was amazing. Thanks for including the info on where to view it. Interesting to call such a creature "glass" as opposed to "clear."

Marianne Daigh's avatar

Thank you! What were you doing in Antarctica, working at a base? I’m writing something set there at the moment, which is clever since I’ve never been.

Christopher Alden's avatar

Hi Marianne. I was fortunate to have made three trips to Antarctica as a crewmember aboard a Coast Guard icebreaker. My time spent there was not as long as someone working at a base for the summer, but was time well spent. I loved being there. Good luck with your story!

Marianne Daigh's avatar

That's so cool! The South America side or the New Zealand side? Would you be averse to maybe answering a few questions from me as they come up in future? (I'm only on the first draft, which is a generous and optimistic way to put it..)

Christopher Alden's avatar

Both. I'll be happy to answer any questions if I can. If your setting is Antarctica and plays a large part in your story, I recommend reading as much as you can about the continent. I made a trip to Palmer Station and a few to McMurdo as well as a flight to the South Pole.

Daniil Frolov's avatar

There was a melancholic nature in the tone of the prose, an ennui, even though you were discussing and informing us about the fantastic. Great in style and content. Fabulous in syntax. I won't quote here but I shared a couple of bangers on my wall.

Marianne Daigh's avatar

Thank you so much 🤩 ennui is my middle name baby

Nikita E-L's avatar

I love how you drew all these disparate ideas and images together. Antactica as a rainforest is going to linger.

Jim Believes Impossible Things's avatar

I really enjoyed reading this Marianne. For me, the squid is a mysterious animal, and the way you use it makes it represent fragility and the unknowable. And that relates to the unknowable expanse of Antarctica. The imagery played well off each other. It’s like you want to know more about each, but you are sure that will never happen. I really enjoyed this. Thank you.

Marianne Daigh's avatar

Thank you for reading :) I’m almost sure it will never happen and yet I live in hope of visiting the continent one day

Vartan Koumrouyan's avatar

Some angry words !

Schopenhauer : “needs a reality behind an appearance for the will to be”, but of course Nietzsche didn’t agree and said that reality is an empty space holder..so ..good work

Valerie's avatar

I absolutely loved it! Your recording of the piece is marvelous and really brings it alive. The interview is very interesting and insightful. It’s a win, win, win!

Marianne Daigh's avatar

Thank you <3 <3

Casey Jo Graham Welmers's avatar

I loved this on so many levels. My favorite essay so far this year. I will go back and read it again and again 💕

Marianne Daigh's avatar

I’m so glad! Happy you found it

Calvin Olsen's avatar

This was brilliant. Thank you.