I don't get the ending...
I have just finished reading the book and I wasn't sure what to make of the ending. I'm a little confused as to what the author wants us to get from it. Can anyone clue me in?
shareSPOILERS!!!
The novel is addressing some issues that are affecting Greenlanders, and is trying to build awareness of their plight regarding assimilation, manipulation, domination, exploitation, et cetera. Smilla is half-Greenlander and half-Danish, so she faces a personal dilemma because she's caught in the middle, torn between two cultures. However, on another level, Smilla represents the plight of the Greenlanders (and, by extension, all aboriginal peoples). Seeing as Smilla's interactions in this novel are mainly with men, they represent the Danish (and, by extension, colonial- and imperialistic-minded people). This is a story where Smilla is being manipulated and hindered, both in her life and in this quest, by these men in authority (and, by extension, aboriginals are being manipulated and hindered in their lives by people in authority over them). In the end, there is no closure because Loyen flees, pursued by Føjl and Smilla. Will he be captured and punished? Take a look at who everyone represents. What is the situation of Greenlanders and aboriginals today? Who is causing their problems? Are their problems solved?
In another aspect, this novel is also an attack on unbridled capitalism and science. This, however, is not an attack on capitalism and science as a whole, just cautioning against letting them run amuck (for a similar styled discussion, read The Constant Gardener by John le Carré). Here, the author seems to compare immoral business executives and scientists to parasites, and he uses the character of Isaiah to discuss this issue.
The ending has elements of speculative fiction, although I hesitate to label this as a science-fiction novel. It is an intricately-plotted mystery with a speculative fiction twist at the end, but it also discusses some complex social issues.
I hope this explanation helps. Let me know if I haven't fully covered something.
The only second chance you get is to make the same mistake twice. - David Mamet
Thanks so much for your response. It made the ending make a lot more sense to me. I read the book knowing nothing about it beforehand so I just read it as a kind of mystery novel but looking at the representation of the characters within the wider context of real-life politicism it puts a whole new slant on it.
I didn't even know there was a film version until I looked the book up on Wikipedia. I wonder if it would be worth seeing it. I often find film versions of books a little disappointing.
You're welcome.
As far as the movie goes, I saw it before reading the novel; I wasn't exactly disappointed with it: I thought it was intriguing with a lot of potential, but definitely not great. When I heard that it was a novel–and a well-written one at that–I decided to give it a try, and I'm glad I did. The movie is nothing spectacular–certainly not a must-see–but the novel is great.
If you enjoyed Peter Høeg's style, may I suggest Martin Cruz Smith (Gorky Park is a good place to start) and John le Carré (Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is a good place to start). Smith is a more straight forward mystery writer, but the plot of Smilla's Sense of Snow reads like a combination of Smith's Gorky Park (city) and Polar Star (ship). Le Carré is a brilliant writer of espionage fiction, but he also has a lot of social and political commentary buried in his novels. In fact, the structure that Høeg employed, having characters represent different segments of a society, is also used by Le Carré in The Mission Song.
The only second chance you get is to make the same mistake twice. - David Mamet
Hi,
Please, do me a favour.
I read the book about 2 years ago and know the movie but could you please refresh my thoughts and just tell me what happens at the end in the book (without interpretation, just the fiction ending).
SPOILERS BEGINNING:
They are at the iceberg with the dracunculus mutant (the worm, parasite that killed the divers and didn't kill the child) and the asteroid lying in the iceberg (that is melting where in a special radius where the asteroid is lying).
I know in the movie Smilla manages it to destroy the whole complex and after that kill that "bad" scientist, the villain by hunting him and letting him drown in the water. What does happen in the book?
Is the asteroid destroyed forever?
Many Greetings from Austria
Häwatein
_____________________
--- BE TROLL 2!!! ---
www.myspace.com/anzycpethian
I know this wasn't directed at me, but I'll try a bit. I think Smilla and the mechanic are left at the iceberg and Tork runs away.
Is the asteroid destroyed forever?
The book doesn't say specifically, but the reader could make assumptions.
Let's get dangerous! share