The Recently Read posts are not typical book reviews. As a writer, I do not believe I should be reviewing the hard work of other writers. These posts are simply books I have recently read and enjoyed and will share with you. They will not always be crime books as I am trying to widen my reading selection. I hope you enjoy some of these with me.
The Snow Child – Eowyn Ivey
Alaska, 1920: a brutal place to homestead, and especially tough for recent arrivals Jack and Mabel. Childless, they are drifting apart–he breaking under the weight of the work of the farm; she crumbling from loneliness and despair. In a moment of levity during the season’s first snowfall, they build a child out of snow. The next morning the snow child is gone–but they glimpse a young, blonde-haired girl running through the trees. This little girl, who calls herself Faina, seems to be a child of the woods. She hunts with a red fox at her side, skims lightly across the snow, and somehow survives alone in the Alaskan wilderness. As Jack and Mabel struggle to understand this child who could have stepped from the pages of a fairy tale, they come to love her as their own daughter. But in this beautiful, violent place things are rarely as they appear, and what they eventually learn about Faina will transform all of them.
My Thoughts.
The Snow Child is considerably different to my usual reads and I found it beautiful, with stunning imagery that will transport you to the frozen wilds of Alaska and leave you shivering from the cold wilderness so evocatively described. You are immediately whisked away to a time of cold and harshness, but so beautifully done that you wish you were there. Now that is some feat, as I hate being cold.
The Snow Child is a modern take on a Russian fairy tale in a beautiful setting. It will have you trying to second guess what is real or magical and is a delightful escapist read. The ending came a little quickly for me, but it was still a book to definitely get lost in. I found it relaxing and enjoyable.
Margot Kinberg says
Rebecca – Oh, this does sound like a very unusual but interesting read. And what a wonderful setting! I don’t usually go for books with that ‘magical’ plot device, but this one sounds like a good read. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Rebecca Bradley says
The setting was absolutely stunning and breathtaking Margot.
Bel Anderson says
Thank you, Rebecca! I had heard of this one and was wondering whether it was worth getting. I love stories set in cold places or in winter. Going on my reading list now!
Rebecca Bradley says
It’s definitely got that harsh winter feel about it. A wonderful read. Like I said, I felt the ending was short and others in the book group disagreed about the ending, but overall, it was lovely.
sharonsant says
I have this on my shelf and I’m desperate to make time to read it.On the strength of this, I’m going to push it to the top of my TBR pile 🙂
Rebecca Bradley says
Oh, I hope you like it then!