The expedition sets out to explore the northern coast of Canada east of the mouth of the Coppermine River. However, three years later, the venture is on the brink of failure; supplies are running low, and they begin to eat lichens, carrion, and even shoes. By the end of their journey, only eleven of the twenty men are still alive. The expedition leader was none other than John Franklin, the famous Arctic explorer, who was commemorated in Sten Nadolny's novel "The Discovery of Slowness.".