The novel draws on the experiences and discoveries of real expeditions to the Arctic; sections of the novel are preceded by quotations from writers, naturalists, and scientists of the 19th century.

Erasmus Darwin Wells is a naturalist aboard The Narwhal as it sails from the Delaware river for the Arctic with the goal of discovering the fate of expedition of John Franklin (a real expedition). Zeke Voorhees, a childhood and family friend of Wells, is the commander of the expedition. For Wells, the expedition also becomes an inner journey as a rift develops between himself and Voorhees.

With the Narwhal's arrival in Arctic waters Voorhees begins the search for the lost expedition by exploring Arctic bays, sounds and coastlines. But as the Arctic winter approaches, the outlets to open waters set into a deep freeze. The Narwhal becomes barricaded by ice in a cove. The challenge now becomes surviving the Arctic winter. The men must deal not only with the harsh physical environment of the Arctic, but they must keep alive their spirit and determination to live.

When spring and summer arrive, as more of the frozen waters open up, Voorhees treks inland alone. He leaves Wells in charge of the Narwhal. When Voorhees does not return by the due date, the crew persuade Wells they must leave before winter sets in again. They retrofit a whale boat, so that it can be pulled or sailed along the frozen land, until they reach open waters.

«...they fell and stumbled and were relieved only once, when the ice field was smooth and the wind blew from the northwest. That day they set the sails and glided for eight miles: a great blessing, never repeated ...» ( from The Goblins known as Innersuit).