The Snow Child: A Novel

Mei-Ling's recommendation

A big thank you to Heavin for lighting up her house and welcoming us inside to enjoy a delicious roast, homemade pumpkin soup (from homegrown pumpkins!), and the largest indoor Christmas tree known to man, which we all loved. It was a beautiful evening of delicious food, old friends and new, new books, and leg wrestling. Because, what book group doesn’t have a leg wrestling showdown every December!!??? Welcome to Cara and AnneMarie, we were so happy to have you join us. With the exception of Barbara, everyone enjoyed Snow Child. A few felt that it was slow to get into, but that the writing and heart at the center of the story compelled you along. This is one, for me, that I am thinking I will re-read. I brought some expectations to it that made me feel like it was more melancholy than I expected it to be. I wonder if, going in without that expectation, I would be more able to accept the greyer parts of the book without waiting for the sunshine. We talked about the different relationships in the book and how hope and faith and love enabled all of them to open themselves up to each other and build beautiful connections. We also talked about how the author played with the idea of fantasy and magic/fairy tale vs. real life and left the issue confusing for the reader so that there was room for some magic in the imagination. It was a lovely little story!

I am so glad I finally got around to reading this book! (Thanks, book club.) I had put off reading this book for years because honestly, I thought the plot sounded a bit hokey. A child made out of snow? However, it turned out to be a beautifully written story with interesting characters & touching relationships. The setting is 1920's Alaska homestead; Jack & Mabel are an older couple with no children of their own. They are struggling to get by in their new harsh reality. They obviously love each other very much but the memory of a stillborn child years ago continues to drive them apart. They are distant each other but still supportive. You could feel the isolation and harshness of the Alaskan wilderness. Mabel & Jack make a snowman (child) one evening and awake to find the snow child gone but a single set of footprints leading to the woods. They start seeing a young girl roaming around the woods, who looks very similar to the snow child they created. Could this be the child they have always wanted? As the story progresses, we learn more about Faina, the snow child. Is she real? Is this a Russian fairytale?
It is a haunting beautiful story about family, relationships and forgiveness. I think it also really illustrates the importance of human connection. I liked all the characters, but I especially loved Ester, Mabel's friend.

”What a tragic tale! Why these stories for children always have to turn out so dreadfully is beyond me. I think if I ever tell it to my grandchildren, I will change the ending and have everyone live happily ever after. We are allowed to do that, are we not Mabel? To invent our own endings and choose joy over sorrow?”

❄️What a beautiful story! The story of The Snow Child is not a genre I would pick up quite often but I’m so happy I did. The book was so warm from the first chapter, that I was totally hooked onto it. An unputdownable read for me.

❄️ The Snow child is a Russian folklore, which tells the story of an old couple Mable & Jack who escape to the Alaskan wilderness to grieve the loss of their child in their own way, while they struggle through the loneliness of a childless marriage. To fill the void of a child, they make a snow girl, only later to find it gone. And then they start seeing glimpses of a young girl running through the woods. As the old couple try to understand whether the girl is real or a fairy tale, they come to love her as their daughter. But this fragile and innocent looking girl will change their life forever.

❄️The plot of the story is so beautiful. Each character so warm & tender that you can only just love them & be a part of their lives. The magical realism so well portrayed. The author catches the beauty & the sad harshness of the Alaskan wilderness so perfectly. The writing is so easy to read and understand though I did find it a bitter lengthy but that can be easily overlooked. I know there are a lot of versions of The Snow child out there but I haven’t read any as yet so this one will always be my favourite version.

❄️This book is highly recommended if you are looking for a cozy winter read & in for some magical realism.

I very much enjoyed this book. I read it in December which made it extra fun. It’s a fairy tail written for adults. Sweet, mystical and full of wonder!