liveglavlove's review against another edition
2.0
This book would have been 4 stars had the main character been Lola. Rose was uninteresting as a whole, but would have made for an adequate minor character. I don't quite think she's a Mary Sue, but she is unbelievable as a woman in the WW2 era: no flaws, no prejudices, super progressive in her beliefs, everyone loves her (unless they are a bad person), and she has that one "flaw" that MS's typically possess. That's right. She's clumsy. Even her mistakes are because of other people deceiving her, so she can't fully be blamed.
The book starts out with Lola's story, a gypsy child caught in the Spanish civil war. The few pages where she is introduced are gripping and tragic. If the book had focused on her, and her struggles, it would have been great.
Instead, she is knocked into a secondary position by poor little rich girl Rose. The rest of the book is basically about her, her love life, and her search for her brother. Lola's personal history and story take a backseat, with brief chapters wedged in between solid blocks of Rose's hikes, or Rose flirting with handsome men, or Rose hiking and flirting with handsome men. It's just amazing that she keeps running into handsome men who want to help her.
Because of the character the author chose to roll with, what could have been an elevated story of war, tragedy, friendship, and gypsy life is instead, simply, your everyday romance novel with war, tragedy, friendship, and gypsy life as its background. You've read this kind of story before. Numerous times.
The two stars are because of Lola. Rose, you get no stars.
The book starts out with Lola's story, a gypsy child caught in the Spanish civil war. The few pages where she is introduced are gripping and tragic. If the book had focused on her, and her struggles, it would have been great.
Instead, she is knocked into a secondary position by poor little rich girl Rose. The rest of the book is basically about her, her love life, and her search for her brother. Lola's personal history and story take a backseat, with brief chapters wedged in between solid blocks of Rose's hikes, or Rose flirting with handsome men, or Rose hiking and flirting with handsome men. It's just amazing that she keeps running into handsome men who want to help her.
Because of the character the author chose to roll with, what could have been an elevated story of war, tragedy, friendship, and gypsy life is instead, simply, your everyday romance novel with war, tragedy, friendship, and gypsy life as its background. You've read this kind of story before. Numerous times.
The two stars are because of Lola. Rose, you get no stars.
pygmymetal's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book. It was a freebee from Amazon Prime membership. Very enjoyable, recommend it.
yasdnilr's review against another edition
4.0
I didn’t listen to the audio CD. Only saw this later.
Just when you think nothing makes sense and it is the most unlikely tale - you find out it’s kind of true.
A Turkish French Englishwoman runs away with gypsies to Spain looking for her brother who disappeared during the Civil War.
Loved it. Just what I needed. And it went back to past tense!
Just when you think nothing makes sense and it is the most unlikely tale - you find out it’s kind of true.
A Turkish French Englishwoman runs away with gypsies to Spain looking for her brother who disappeared during the Civil War.
Loved it. Just what I needed. And it went back to past tense!
booksintheirnaturalhabitat's review against another edition
3.0
The Snow Gypsy wasn’t quite what I expected. It’s a really beautiful tale of fate bringing two women and a child together who all learn the truth about their loved ones, but it has this underlying darkness and sadness. I wanted more of the backstory of some of the other main-player characters beyond Rose and Lola, like Lola’s brother. I think the additional character development would have added the depth of the story I was looking for beyond just mentioning oops I hid this from you! And moving quickly on. I guess what it comes down to is I’m missing the “why” of some of the character’s actions which is the part that really gives depth and relate-ability for me.
Overall, I’ll give this three stars. It really is a touching story but it’s missing a little something extra for me.
Overall, I’ll give this three stars. It really is a touching story but it’s missing a little something extra for me.
nikshelby's review against another edition
4.0
I chose this book because I had read Ashford's "The Woman on the Orient Express," which I had enjoyed.
Her writing has been described as haunting, and I concur. The juxtaposition of the two women is excellent - one attempting to escape her past, and one trying to learn about hers.
Her writing has been described as haunting, and I concur. The juxtaposition of the two women is excellent - one attempting to escape her past, and one trying to learn about hers.
zhelana's review against another edition
4.0
This was the story of a woman who goes in search of her family, and instead finds a new family amongst the gypsies of Spain. It was a pretty good book. I enjoyed the descriptions of the gypsy fiesta, and some of the wildlife in Pampaneira. I also really loved Nieve, and when I thought she would die I was almost devastated. I liked Rose and Lola, too, and found them both to be well written characters. I felt my opinion of other characters change with Rose's opinions of them, so that seemed to be well written.
The last chapter of the book was odd, though. It's like, the whole story took place in 1945, and then all of a sudden we're in 2001 for a chapter, and all of the characters are old. I did like that that let us know that the little found family survived all the hardships the years put in front of them, and they stayed together.
The last chapter of the book was odd, though. It's like, the whole story took place in 1945, and then all of a sudden we're in 2001 for a chapter, and all of the characters are old. I did like that that let us know that the little found family survived all the hardships the years put in front of them, and they stayed together.
lekiare's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
kirbee667's review against another edition
2.0
I would say 2.5 maybe eventually I'll change it to a 3.
Honestly, the things that really kept me reading until the end was the historical, cultural and language (mostly Spanish but some French) elements. If it wasn't for that, I probably wouldn't have made it through the middle of the book. It wasn't until around 75-80% into the book that things got REALLY interesting and had me hooked.
I agree with other reviewers that said there was a lot of unnecessary descriptions. I did tap a bit faster through those parts.
Honestly, the things that really kept me reading until the end was the historical, cultural and language (mostly Spanish but some French) elements. If it wasn't for that, I probably wouldn't have made it through the middle of the book. It wasn't until around 75-80% into the book that things got REALLY interesting and had me hooked.
I agree with other reviewers that said there was a lot of unnecessary descriptions. I did tap a bit faster through those parts.
kay_slayerofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
A positive outlook on Gypsies
I admit to having my idea of gypsies ruined 4 years ago during a bad experience with a few on a trip to France . . . But I've always liked the idea of Gypsies. Felt a kinship with them because they're treated so terribly - being a woman of color I get that. But they've definitely always been of interest to me. However, this story was awesome. I really liked being able to 1. have a positive outlook on them and 2. Having an intimate look into their past life.
I was able to feel and hurt for both Rose and Lola. Understand both of their need to protect Nieve. Rose's incredible hurt after Zoltan - although I kinda sympathize with him (call me a romantic but I hoped they'd end up together
I admit to having my idea of gypsies ruined 4 years ago during a bad experience with a few on a trip to France . . . But I've always liked the idea of Gypsies. Felt a kinship with them because they're treated so terribly - being a woman of color I get that. But they've definitely always been of interest to me. However, this story was awesome. I really liked being able to 1. have a positive outlook on them and 2. Having an intimate look into their past life.
I was able to feel and hurt for both Rose and Lola. Understand both of their need to protect Nieve. Rose's incredible hurt after Zoltan - although I kinda sympathize with him (call me a romantic but I hoped they'd end up together
ranasun's review against another edition
4.0
Great read!
The first quarter of the book was a slow start for me. At first I spent the time wondering why Rose was doing what she was doing. As a character Rose was developed and others introduced the story definitely became more interesting. I'm glad I continue to read the book. The last third was definitely five stars and I couldn't put the book down. The first quarter was 3. I figured I'd average it out for the book as a whole giving the book a 4-star rating in the end.
The first quarter of the book was a slow start for me. At first I spent the time wondering why Rose was doing what she was doing. As a character Rose was developed and others introduced the story definitely became more interesting. I'm glad I continue to read the book. The last third was definitely five stars and I couldn't put the book down. The first quarter was 3. I figured I'd average it out for the book as a whole giving the book a 4-star rating in the end.