Is 'The Frozen River' Based On A True Story?

Question

Having trouble finding credible sources, but heard it's historical fiction inspired by real-life explorers. Anyone know the actual events the book draws from?

Geovani Rivera · Answer

'The Frozen River' is not a true historical event. The book is entirely fictional. As always I am fascinated by the ‘stranded in the wilderness’ trope when the characters are believable. Recently I finished reading ‘On Thin Ice With You’, a romance novel. The two main characters are rival researchers that are forced to rely on each other when their arctic base loses communication. Their struggle to survive against the elements is fraught with as much tension from their personalities as from the outdoors. It is a free online novel and can be read on several web novel sites.

Uriel · Answer

I just finished reading The Frozen River by Erin Flanery last night. Even though the book is fiction, it felt so real. Apparently the author did a lot of research about the frontier, specifically the 19th century. The book even feels like a pioneer diary in places. I was impressed by all of the research Flanery put into the book of how river ice was harvested and how a midwife would have handled a birth in such remote places. Although The Frozen River is not based on one true story, it does contain many real elements including the dangers that women traveled in and the justice that they sometimes had to administer themselves. If you’re looking for a similar book of true stories of people who were trying to survive in the frontier, then you should read The Indifferent Stars Above by Peter Heller. It’s a great story of the Donner Party and has the same feel of survival that The Frozen River did.

Yvette · Answer

First, the historical research is fantastic. “The Frozen River” is largely a work of fiction, but it is one that the author has spent years researching about the frontier justice system in early American history. Here the story looks at the history from the perspective of women and how they had to deal with legal systems that were set up by men for men. The character of Martha in the story is a strong one who embodies the spirit of many women who lived on the frontier while their husbands were off in the woods trapping or logging for long periods of time.

One can experience the pain of the characters suffering from frostbite, just as 19th-century people did. One can even hear the historical patterns of dialogue in letters of the era. The central mystery even stands as a construct against the limitations of 19th-century forensic science—i.e., without modern decomposition, it seems that many long-buried secrets were revealed in the ice. For more of the same sort of frontier storytelling, very realistically told, I recommend News of the World.

Brooke · Answer

The protagonist Martha is not a historical figure, but her character draws from a number of real frontier women from early American history. The scene at the courtroom where a frozen corpse is found is true and has happened on more than one occasion in real life. The novel is 'truth-adjacent' fiction.

The fact and fiction blend superbly in The Frozen River. The birth in a blizzard is gleaned from 1820s midwife manuals. The several fur trappers to disappear on the River are, as yet, unsolved mysteries of the Maine wilderness. And those who like this mix of fact and fiction might like to go on to read The Revenant, another novel which fictionalises frontier legends in grimy detail.

Becky Walling · Answer

I read Martha Woolaston’s actual diary from the 17th century, and then Marjorie Walker’s 1985 novel of her life. The novel is historical translation with a pulse. As I said, the ‘truth’ of Martha Woolaston’s experience is only communicated to us through her actual words, sparse as they are. But the novel has built a bridge to her world, and even though what she experienced and her inner life are probably never to be 100% accurately known to us, the novel has been a magnificent way for me to experience her world. That bridge was built of fact and fiction.

Paul John · Answer

What is most important to me in reading this book is the author’s afterword. In the afterword, Lawhon clearly explains the real parts of the book and the parts that she made up and why she wrote each section as she did. She even gives credit where credit is due by listing her sources. The way that Lawhon has written the novel will change the way that readers perceive the historical information that they read. She transforms historical information into a living, breathing thing that her readers can become involved in, instead of a bunch of boring information for her readers to absorb and regurgitate. Her novel is a work of engagement and the author’s afterword is the honest manifesto for her novel.

Rahmat Budiman · Answer

In fact, the fictional plot line serves as a wonderful vehicle for the historical portrait of Martha. The investigation into the murder needs her to travel through all levels of society: from the very poorest to the judge’s chambers. The strictly biographical account of Martha would have limited her to stories about women’s health. However, through the fiction, the reader is given a tour of all the different economic, legal and class conflicts through Martha’s eyes. While the murder is not ‘real’, the social landscape that it uncovers is historical fact. The plot line is the tour guide, the history is the city. You get a wonderful tour of a section of the city that you might otherwise have never seen.

Arthur Simmons · Answer

First, appreciating the cover art here. The image of the frozen river is quite powerful and has multiple readings – a barrier, a crime scene, and also the frozen structures of society. Great cover art sets up the kind of complex story this is, and I mean that in the best way.

William Jackson · Answer

I just came here to get a yes or no, but this has become a really deep thread. My answer would be more complex than yes, but I can see why someone would say yes. In fact, I have newfound respect for this book, because it’s generated so much thought about the nature of truth and story. So, in the end, my answer is yes. This book is good enough for me to add to my TBR list.

Christian Proctor · Answer

I think of this novel as a tribute to the woman rather than a strictly accurate biography. Lawhon seems to have an immense respect for Martha Ballard and is using this fictionalized story to bring attention to a woman that most people have never even heard of. Ballard’s diary is historical treasure that would likely put most people to sleep, but it’s the basis for this novel and the story is what carries the reader through the pages to learn more about the woman. Even though the story isn’t ‘true’ the reason that Lawhon wrote it is to give Ballard’s life due tribute. It’s a clever and effective way to advocate for history through a really engaging and suspenseful novel.

Is 'The Frozen River' Based On A True Story?

10 Answers

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