An Antarctic research expedition fractures, leaving a scientist incapacitated and his wife to navigate the aftermath. While Robert 'Doc' Wright, a veteran of polar fieldwork, is no longer able to communicate the events that led to the disaster, his wife Anna must learn to cope with her new reality as his carer. The novel explores the profound impact of this incident on both the men involved and their families back home, questioning the nature of heroism and the human drive to share stories, even when words fail.

This novel has garnered significant praise from notable authors, with Hilary Mantel describing it as leaving the reader 'moved and subtly changed, as if she had become part of the story.' Maggie O'Farrell calls it 'so moving and delicate and terrifying and haunting.' The book is recognized for its tender yet unsettling exploration of heroism and the fundamental human need to narrate experiences, even in the face of profound communication barriers. It is lauded as a meditation on the often-unseen courage required to endure everyday life, highlighting the undervalued strength in simply getting through the day.