To the Bright Edge of the World

Set in the winter of 1885, Pulitzer Prize-nominated American author Eowyn Ivey’s historical novel To the Bright Edge of the World (2016) follows Lieutenant Colonel Allen Forrester as he and his men embark on an epic expedition up the Wolverine River in remote Alaska. However, there is another voyage of discovery—an inner one—occurring within Allen's young, pregnant wife, Sophie, at home in Portland, Oregon. To the Bright Edge of the World received a nomination for the International Dublin Literary Award in 2017.

The novel opens in the present day, with a letter written by Allen's ancestor, Walter, to a museum in Alaska. Walter hopes the museum’s curator, Josh, will take an interest in Allen's journals and Sophie's diary and want to add them to the collection. Walter also includes a donation to the museum. Based on the information in the diaries, the novel goes back in time to early 1885, when Allen and his men venture into the wilds of Alaska and attempt to communicate with the indigenous people who live there.

Sophie's diary entries and letters from January of that same year weave throughout the entries from Allen's log. She shares the news that Allen will be going to Alaska, then learns of her pregnancy. This quashes her hopes of accompanying him. Sophie's natural curiosity leads her to purchase a photography book containing images of the area Allen will explore. She also wishes to know more about her pregnancy, but her doctor will only give her minimal details.



The novel then switches back to the present, with Josh returning Walter's letter and declining his offer. They are simply too understaffed to archive all of this new material. Still, Josh enjoys the diaries, identifying with Allen, and Josh and Walter begin exchanging letters.

Meanwhile, back in the spring of 1885, Allen and Sophie exchange letters, each recounting their separate adventures. Allen and his men reach King's Glacier, a massive, 300-foot-tall barrier of ice. The doctor permits Sophie to go on walks, but she begins to suspect something is amiss with her pregnancy. She learns that she has a deformed uterus, which may prevent a successful birth. She ends up losing the baby and receives the further devastating news that future children are likely impossible.

Allen and his men encounter natives, one of whom, a woman named Nat'aaggii, joins them on their journey after her family rejects her. The group is stranded when an avalanche strikes. They eventually break free days later, on the verge of starvation. They cross paths with another tribe, who will only trade a small amount of rotten fish.



Later, they run into an old man they had seen earlier in their travels. He makes a trade with Allen, giving Allen a silver comb. Allen doesn't need it, but it reminds him of one of Sophie's combs.

After the group splits into two factions, one looking for tribes and the other for food, Allen and his men finally reach a village, where they receive food and medical care. While Allen collects firewood just outside the village, he finds a baby buried under a tree, its umbilical cord wrapped around the roots.

Sophie sends Allen a letter informing him of the loss of the baby. She expresses her fear that this news will prevent Allen from returning home to her. She also shares her plans to pursue photography, inspired by her artist father. She buys cameras and developing equipment and sets up a darkroom in the kitchen.



Back in Alaska, Allen and his men return to the wilderness, along with a few natives from the village. He devises what he thinks is a clearer path to the mountains, and, despite the Indians' warnings of lurking monsters, the group forges ahead. Then, a strange creature attacks the group, destroying a canoe. For the next few days, they stay close to shore as they travel the river.

After entering the mountains, a brutal storm descends and almost kills the men. Nevertheless, they plow ahead and ultimately reach the Yukon.

In Portland, Allen's general appears at Sophie's door. She immediately fears the worst, but he only asks her to develop the film Allen sent to him. Shortly after this, Sophie's photo of a baby bird catches the attention of an editor in Philadelphia, and he requests more of her pictures. She writes to Allen to ask his permission.



Allen and his men travel down the Yukon. Though he falls ill, a native tribe nurses Allen back to health. At last, the group reaches its destination: the home of a missionary, his wife, and their nine children. The group disbands, and Allen awaits the last leg of his trip, which will return him to Portland. Allen writes to Sophie and tells her how much he loves her, whether or not she can have a child. He also tells her how much he enjoys her photography and swears he will not leave her. After he returns home, Sophie becomes a successful photographer.

The novel ends in the present, with Josh taking Walt's donation and purchasing a trip to Alaska with it. He sends the tickets to Walt, allowing the old man to finally see the land that has played such a major role in his family.