my favorite setting might be the desolate, frigid landscape. I like the idea of humans having no chance of survival without their handmade guises: fire, shelter, dense clothing, that sort of thing. any other threat becomes exacerbated when humans are so humbled by their environment. This is part of why The Thing, to Build a Fire, and Mountains of Madness work so well IMO, as there’s nowhere for the characters to run. To Build a Fire teases the personification of the cold and I’d like to see a story that goes all the way in making it a character of its own.
I think the ideal story would feature an arctic exploration vehicle, as these operate as mobile immitations of an earthly atmosphere, in places where life cannot exist. They move, they break down, they get entrenched in snow, their driveshafts get iced, yet they remain a crew’s only chance at survival. If there is a book about an arctic exploration vehicle, please recommend that.
by murky_creature
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The Terror by Dan Simmons. It’s set in the 1800s, but other than that it’s just what you’re asking for.
This one is part of a series, and is actually only the first several chapters in a book (it was first published as a short story), but it’s got the stranded arctic exploration vehicle and then some: The Vor Game by Lois McMaster Bujold.
[dark matter- Michelle paver](https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/8350864) – it’s a spooky story with an arctic setting that is very atmospheric! Not ROVs as set before that time but it sounds like it might be your thing anyhow!
Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage
These are both non-fiction accounts, but the story is so incredible, so unbelievable that you may really enjoy them
Endurance: Shackletons Incredible Voyage- Alfred Lansing – 1959
The Endurance: Shackleton”s Legendary Antartic Expedition- Caroline Alexander – 1998
I liked the first book by Alfred Lansing more, but they’re both gripping.
If you don’t know Shakelton was a famous explorer headed to traverse Antarctica by land in 1915 when his ship was crushed by ice about 80 miles from the planned arrival site.