Ice Road

"Irina Davydovna, survivor of the ice ship Chelyuskin, which sank in the Arctic circle, is back in her beloved home city of Leningrad. She thinks her troubles are over. But this is Leningrad in 1933. As Stalin begins to turn against the city, and his old favourite Sergei Kirov, Irina finds herself caught up in forces beyond anyone's control." "Loyalties, belief, love and family ties: all are about to be tested to the limit in one of the most devastating moments of human history." "There is Boris Aleksandrovich, who, having persuaded Irina Davydovna to go on the ice ship, feels honour bound to find her a new position within his family circle. Boris thinks he can negotiate between idealism and politics, yet his daughter, Natasha, a carefree girl, will be almost crushed by his compromises.

Prize history

• Women's Prize for Fiction 2004 Shortlist