ob_ledbetter's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully written. I felt completely transported to Alaska. A unique and lush read.
fidoe's review against another edition
4.0
Book Review
Week 32, book 65
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
Rating: 4/5
I saw the review of this book and it really stayed with me. And the author's name felt so enchanted, right out of LOTR. So I bought it. When I first started reading it, it felt very cold and drab, much like the setting of the novel. I didn't pursue it, and went on to read other books. But the premise of the book kept haunting me and in the past week, I finally decided to finish reading it. It took some time, but I finally did it.
The book starts off slowly, then gathers pace. IMO, it is too fast towards the ending. But what a book.
It is based on the old Russian fairy tale of Snegurochka - the Snow Maiden. It revolves around an old childless couple who fashion a small child out of snow one day, which turns into a live child the next day. They love her like their own, but as all such stories go, she dies in the end. Different storytellers have offered different endings.. some said she melts away in the sun/in front of a fire, some say she fell in love and her heart warmed and melted her.
This novel, talks about that story, and weaves it into the plot. The setting is different.. rural Alaska in the early 20th century. But in terms of the snowy landscape and the cold sad hearts of the childless couple, it is much the same.
The author has beautifully described the Alaskan scenery and life in a rural homestead, so much so that I felt cold shivers running down my spine, I could imagine the animals and smell the food. Similarly beautiful are the feelings and emotions of the couple, their sadness and guilt, their loneliness and desperation. At times you do wonder if the snow maiden is a figment of imagination, but struggle to explain her existence.
The snow maiden, a beautiful, feral creature. A child of the snow, the valleys, the flora and fauna. She rises from the snow, and goes back to it. A hauntingly beautiful being.. you cant help but fall in love with, like everyone does in the story.
The book made me cry at times and in the end, left me with sadness and a feeling of loss. Not an easy book to read for me, but worth the time I put in. Sometimes... One needs to read such a book. Not all stories have happy endings. But even a book like this, can make your heart go warm!
Week 32, book 65
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
Rating: 4/5
I saw the review of this book and it really stayed with me. And the author's name felt so enchanted, right out of LOTR. So I bought it. When I first started reading it, it felt very cold and drab, much like the setting of the novel. I didn't pursue it, and went on to read other books. But the premise of the book kept haunting me and in the past week, I finally decided to finish reading it. It took some time, but I finally did it.
The book starts off slowly, then gathers pace. IMO, it is too fast towards the ending. But what a book.
It is based on the old Russian fairy tale of Snegurochka - the Snow Maiden. It revolves around an old childless couple who fashion a small child out of snow one day, which turns into a live child the next day. They love her like their own, but as all such stories go, she dies in the end. Different storytellers have offered different endings.. some said she melts away in the sun/in front of a fire, some say she fell in love and her heart warmed and melted her.
This novel, talks about that story, and weaves it into the plot. The setting is different.. rural Alaska in the early 20th century. But in terms of the snowy landscape and the cold sad hearts of the childless couple, it is much the same.
The author has beautifully described the Alaskan scenery and life in a rural homestead, so much so that I felt cold shivers running down my spine, I could imagine the animals and smell the food. Similarly beautiful are the feelings and emotions of the couple, their sadness and guilt, their loneliness and desperation. At times you do wonder if the snow maiden is a figment of imagination, but struggle to explain her existence.
The snow maiden, a beautiful, feral creature. A child of the snow, the valleys, the flora and fauna. She rises from the snow, and goes back to it. A hauntingly beautiful being.. you cant help but fall in love with, like everyone does in the story.
The book made me cry at times and in the end, left me with sadness and a feeling of loss. Not an easy book to read for me, but worth the time I put in. Sometimes... One needs to read such a book. Not all stories have happy endings. But even a book like this, can make your heart go warm!
hayleysreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Beautiful and mystical, a real escape
amberdebo's review against another edition
5.0
This book was absolutely phenomenal. Maybe it's because the main characters grew up near the Allegheny River in Western Pennsylvania and then moved to Alaska, and so did I. But mostly it's because it's just a fantastically written novel, and everyone should read it.
amberdebo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
verity_lilolia's review against another edition
Lovely read that might leave you questioning what really happened.
rachel_ann_christensen's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
elliemcc11's review against another edition
5.0
Thought this was a beautifully written story, and a story of hope and love that really appealed. I'd put off reading it as I thought it was mainly about magic / magical realism, but I'm glad I tested my boundaries.
meghaslegs2_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
kgshore22's review against another edition
4.0
I decided to pick up the Snow Child, a creative retelling of the Russian fairytale Snegurochka, even though it is not the kind of book I would normally choose. I was surprised, however, by both a sweet and sad story. It is gripping, provokes deep thoughtfulness, and even has a bit of a twist towards the end that I did not see coming. My favorite part of the book was the glimpses it gave into the beauty of motherhood and the pain of infertility and loss, topics that are dear to my heart and that I wish we saw more of in books. Overall, I greatly enjoyed it and would recommend it as a cozy, winter read. 4.25 stars.
“Mabel took [those words] into her heart and held them there forever.” (page 351)
(Strangely, this book actually reminded me of Cowboy Like Me by Taylor Swift. Just wanted to note that here ;)
“Mabel took [those words] into her heart and held them there forever.” (page 351)
(Strangely, this book actually reminded me of Cowboy Like Me by Taylor Swift. Just wanted to note that here ;)