From the Bookshelf of Lush Library…

The Snow Child

Eowyn Ivey

Start date: April 1, 2012

Finish date: April 30, 2012

Discussion: Past Group Reads

Discussion leader: Jo

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 72 topics — 1,108 comments total

Past Group Reads

* To Kill A Mockingbird -- SPOILER thread
By Sarah · 5 posts · 14 views

last updated Feb 27, 2012 03:31AM

* Anansi Boys discussion thread *spoilers*
By Jo · 18 posts · 21 views

last updated Dec 30, 2011 04:18AM

showing 9 of 9 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Apr 05, 2012 Sophia rated it really liked it

The Snow Child is based on a Russian fairy tale, but Eowyn Ivey breathes new life into the old tale, expands it, and gives us a very human story that's quite haunting and beautiful. We follow Mabel and Jack, a couple now in their late forties/early fifties, who moved to Alaska to start a new life after their only child was stillborn. They have never got over their loss, and feel a painful void in their lives which only a child would fill. Life on a smallholding in Alaska is hard, and Jack someti The Snow Child is based on a Russian fairy tale, but Eowyn Ivey breathes new life into the old tale, expands it, and gives us a very human story that's quite haunting and beautiful. We follow Mabel and Jack, a couple now in their late forties/early fifties, who moved to Alaska to start a new life after their only child was stillborn. They have never got over their loss, and feel a painful void in their lives which only a child would fill. Life on a smallholding in Alaska is hard, and Jack sometimes fears they are too old to try and tame such a harsh wilderness, but Mabel feels a need to be there, away from other people.

One night Jack and Mabel recapture a little of the joy of their younger years, and go out into the snow together to build a snowman. But the snowman is small and thin, so they fashion it into a snow child and dress it in Mabel's old scarf and mittens. The next morning the snow child has gone, along with the scarf and mittens, but Jack and Mabel glimpse a real little girl running through the woods on the edge of their land. It's almost as though the snow child they built has become real. Can she be tamed? Could she become the beloved child they have so longed for?

Though there is always a hint of something magical about the child, whose name is Faina, I liked the fact that this wasn't a fantasy story. It was human and very nearly believable, and the characters in it were fully fleshed-out personalities. The deep love tinged with sadness between Jack and Mabel was quite moving, and even someone like me, without a maternal bone in my body, could sympathise with their painful longing for a child of their own.

Jack and Mabel's nearest neighbours, George and Esther, were also well-written and stopped the book getting too intense, but their son, Garrett, who plays a larger role towards the end of the book, could have done with a little more depth as I really wanted to get to know him better. However, this is a very minor quibble in what is largely a wonderful read.

The writing style is perfect; very delicate and highly descriptive. I had a perfect mental picture of everything that was happening and could almost feel the Alaskan chill sinking into my bones as I brought my duvet further up under my chin! As a first novel, this is a fantastic acheivement, and I will be first in line for whatever Eowyn Ivey decides to write next.

I should also say a word about this hardback edition - it's lovely! With no dustjacket, the white design is printed straight onto the dark blue cover and the effect is gorgeous. The endpapers have a beautiful snowflake design, and it's been put together very well. Even if I never read this book again, it's a pleasure to look at on the bookshelf, so if you fancy reading it I'd definitely advise buying this edition rather than waiting for the paperback. ...more

Like · see review