Reviews

Cold Enough For Snow by Jessica Au

Only show reviews with written explanations

urbino's review against another edition

Go to review page

lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

4.0

lespui's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

byourday's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I can tell this short story is beautifully written. It's full of narration, and the writer describes every emotion slowly but precisely. This is my first time reading a novella, and I was amazed by the details of the story. The book follows the journey of a daughter and her mother in Tokyo. They visit many places such as historical sites, parks, cafes, and restaurants, among others. As I read the book, I felt like I was there, experiencing the story as the main character. However, sadly, there are no conversations in this book, so all the stories are from the daughter's point of view. It feels like reading someone's diary, and luckily for me, I get to read about the amazing trip from the diary owner's perspective. I enjoyed the reading and the new experiences it brought. Since the book is short, you can finish it in one sitting.

zordrac's review against another edition

Go to review page

fast-paced

jaclyncrupi's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

The Novel Prize inaugural winner is Jessica Au’s COLD ENOUGH FOR SNOW. This prize sees the winner published by @giramondopublishing @fitzcarraldoeditions and @ndpublishing in Australia, the UK and US respectively. It’s damn cool. And to see a slight novella take the prize is all the more exciting. In this book a mother and daughter travel to Japan and meander through museums, galleries and streets. They speak of trivial things and seem lost to each other. There is a spectral quality to the narrative. But who knows you better than the person who bore and raised you? Who has shaped you in a fundamental way, for better or worse, more than her? And why are we daughters doomed to never be able to fully know our mothers and they us? Just some of the questions I found myself pondering as our flaneuse wandered through streets and over mountains. It brought to mind Lahiri’s WHEREABOUTS and Kitamura’s INTIMACIES. The prose has an cinematic quality to it where it feels like you the reader fulfill the function of the camera but of course Au is directing you where to look.