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The Lonely South: Kerguelen and the Antarctic
André Migot is a French doctor with a remarkable aptitude for solitary meditation and active adventure which led him of the journey into Tibet so memorably described in Tibetan Marches. On his return from the Far East in 1953 he had a new opportunity to indulge these tastes in different surroundings. He volunteered to spend a year in Kerguelen in the remote and stormy south of the Indian Ocean with the French scientific mission on those islands. During his year in exile he was able to enjoy studying not only the peculiar and remarkably friendly sea-elephants, penguins and other creatures that come to breed in this forbidding landscape, but also the effects on long and enforced isolation on his companions less fitted than himself to use and value solitude. When his tour was almost over, and weaker spirits were thinking only of home, he seized the opportunity of accompanying an Australian scientific mission to Mawson on the Antarctic continent. They journey in an icebreaker, smashing their way south through pack-ice to the land, and when the mission was deposited at the lonely little base, Dr. Mignot remained on the ship, which then pursued her voyage of exploration through bitter storms, skirting the strangest and most perilous country on earth.
Dr. Migot writes with force and simplicity that spring from the strength of his own character. His account of these two expeditions is at once an exciting adventure story, a portrait gallery of exotic birds and beasts, and a profound comment on human behaviour and human nature.
Dr. Migot writes with force and simplicity that spring from the strength of his own character. His account of these two expeditions is at once an exciting adventure story, a portrait gallery of exotic birds and beasts, and a profound comment on human behaviour and human nature.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1956
6 people want to read
About the author
André Migot
16 books1 followerAndré Migot (1892–1967) was a French doctor, traveler, and writer.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 11, 2019
The author, a French doctor is selected for a one year posting to the French controlled Antarctic island of Kerguelen in 1953. Accompanying him are 50 others, scientists, administrators, radio operators, meteorologists, cooks, labourers etc. The first half of this books outlines his time spent there as the mission doctor. With a natural attraction to birds and animals, Migot does a good job of explaining all he witnessed and learned while there.
As his year reaches an end and his thought start to turn to home, he realises he would rather not be returning to the churn of 'normal' life, and as if scripted, he is invited to join an Australian expedition to deliver a team to Australian Antarctic territory to establish and construct a permanent base (to be known as Mawson, after the Australian Antarctic explorer). In a Danish icebreaker they make the journey from Melbourne, collecting Migot and another Frenchman from Kerguelen on the way.
Again Migot explains all in a structured and organised way. The trials of the journey, the icebreaking on the way to the drop off point, the unloading of the equipment (including the prefab building components and the stores and the equipment to last them until reprovisioning), and then the icebreaking on the way out. Following the drop off, they are to travel east to visit two other areas of Antarctica and carry out surveying and magnetic observations, although poor weather hindered these. The journey back to Melbourne (via Kerguelen) brought out the worst of the Southern Ocean weather, where they were hit by high powered storms and were lucky to have made it through the heavy icebeg fields with limited damage.
Migot is a thoughtful character, who by his own admission, prefers his solitude to the company of others, so it makes an interesting read. Better known for his time in Tibet, he writes an engaging and interesting book.
4 stars.
As his year reaches an end and his thought start to turn to home, he realises he would rather not be returning to the churn of 'normal' life, and as if scripted, he is invited to join an Australian expedition to deliver a team to Australian Antarctic territory to establish and construct a permanent base (to be known as Mawson, after the Australian Antarctic explorer). In a Danish icebreaker they make the journey from Melbourne, collecting Migot and another Frenchman from Kerguelen on the way.
Again Migot explains all in a structured and organised way. The trials of the journey, the icebreaking on the way to the drop off point, the unloading of the equipment (including the prefab building components and the stores and the equipment to last them until reprovisioning), and then the icebreaking on the way out. Following the drop off, they are to travel east to visit two other areas of Antarctica and carry out surveying and magnetic observations, although poor weather hindered these. The journey back to Melbourne (via Kerguelen) brought out the worst of the Southern Ocean weather, where they were hit by high powered storms and were lucky to have made it through the heavy icebeg fields with limited damage.
Migot is a thoughtful character, who by his own admission, prefers his solitude to the company of others, so it makes an interesting read. Better known for his time in Tibet, he writes an engaging and interesting book.
4 stars.
January 22, 2019
As one of the few accounts of the Kerguelens translated to English it's helpful for learning about the islands. The authors quiet, reflective nature thought reflected the isolation of his mission and helped me to understand what seems to be the end of the world. While likely a dull read for many I found it to be good, quick read to help further my knowledge of the Kerguelens.
July 16, 2012
an excellent recollection of one man's journey to, and yearlong stay on the remote indian ocean island of kerguelen.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews