Review: ‘Society of the Snow’ Fails to Draw Meaning from Suffering

You probably know the story. On October 13, 1972, an Uruguayan plane carrying the Old Christians Club rugby team crashed in the Andes on its way to Chile. In the immediate aftermath, rescue missions were attempted, but after no sightings, all 45 people on board were presumed dead. In fact, while twelve people died on impact when the aircraft’s tail and wings snapped off, 33 survived the initial crash. In the weeks that followed, six more died from their injuries and then eight more died in an avalanche. Nearly two months after the crash, on December 12, two survivors, Nando Parrado and Roberto Canessa, began a twelve-day trek across the mountain range into Chile for help, which proved successful. The remaining survivors were rescued by helicopter before Christmas.

Freezing temperatures were both a blessing and a curse. Living conditions inside the plane fuselage were incredibly harsh, and the survivors were weakened by exposure. But the surrounding snow provided a water supply, not to mention a meat freezer. With only a small supply of snacks on board, the survivors had no choice but to eat the flesh of their deceased friends and relatives to avoid starving to death.

About the Author

Madeleine Kearns

Madeleine Kearns is a former staff writer at National Review.

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You probably know the story. On October 13, 1972, an Uruguayan plane carrying the Old Christians Club rugby team crashed in the Andes on its way to Chile. In the immediate aftermath, rescue missions were attempted, but after no sightings, all 45 people on board were presumed dead. In fact, while twelve people died on impact when the aircraft’s tail and wings snapped off, 33 survived the initial crash. In the weeks that followed, six more died from their injuries and then eight more died in an avalanche. Nearly two months after the crash, on December 12, two survivors, Nando Parrado and Roberto Canessa, began a twelve-day trek across the mountain range into Chile for help, which proved successful. The remaining survivors were rescued by helicopter before Christmas.

Freezing temperatures were both a blessing and a curse. Living conditions inside the plane fuselage were incredibly harsh, and the survivors were weakened by exposure. But the surrounding snow provided a water supply, not to mention a meat freezer. With only a small supply of snacks on board, the survivors had no choice but to eat the flesh of their deceased friends and relatives to avoid starving to death.