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A review by poppyjessica
The Snow Song by Sally Gardner
4.0
Having previously read and enjoyed Sally Gardner's 'The Red Necklace' and 'Tinder' with my students, I was excited to read her latest novel 'The Snow Song'. It certainly did not disappoint. As I had come to expect with Gardner's works, the story she weaves here is both lyrical and magical but laced with a hard edge of darkness.
The novel follows the protagonist Edith and the citizens of the town in which she lives, their home perched in the mountains away from civilisation. At the opening, she meets Demetrius, a shepherd, and they fall in love. However, their love, between a towns-person and an outsider, is frowned upon by the traditions of this isolated town, particularly the domineering butcher who wants to marry Edith himself.
As the twisted plot unfolds, the reader witnesses a battle between the archaic traditions of the town and moving towards progressive freedom.The storytelling style is rather like a fairy tale but less Disney and more Brother's Grimm; Gardner does not shy away from darkness to highlight the extent of the town's corruption, particularly highlighted the disturbing repression and abuse of the women of the town. The setting may be picturesque but it is harbouring a myriad of sins and villains who give the story a biting edge.
Overall, the plot is pacey and magical, the words expressive and the characters fully realised. Gardner's new work absolutely lives up to the standard of her previous books. I look forward to reading her book with my students once again!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The novel follows the protagonist Edith and the citizens of the town in which she lives, their home perched in the mountains away from civilisation. At the opening, she meets Demetrius, a shepherd, and they fall in love. However, their love, between a towns-person and an outsider, is frowned upon by the traditions of this isolated town, particularly the domineering butcher who wants to marry Edith himself.
As the twisted plot unfolds, the reader witnesses a battle between the archaic traditions of the town and moving towards progressive freedom.The storytelling style is rather like a fairy tale but less Disney and more Brother's Grimm; Gardner does not shy away from darkness to highlight the extent of the town's corruption, particularly highlighted the disturbing repression and abuse of the women of the town. The setting may be picturesque but it is harbouring a myriad of sins and villains who give the story a biting edge.
Overall, the plot is pacey and magical, the words expressive and the characters fully realised. Gardner's new work absolutely lives up to the standard of her previous books. I look forward to reading her book with my students once again!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.