The Snow Child: A Novel

This was a Modern Mrs. Darcy book club pick earlier this year, and at the time I couldn’t find it within myself to finish this book and was contemplating abandoning it, but I received a paperback copy from Capsule Books in their Silence of the Snow capsule co-curated by 25 In Five and I picked up where I had left off and speed-read it through to the end. I loved this book and I’m glad I was able to give it a second chance. I have also read To the Bright Edge of the World by the same author, and loved it. Eowyn Ivey’s writing is wonderfully embracing and imminently readable.

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!

asi najpríjemnejší magický realizmus, aký som kedy čítala. pekný príbeh, pekná myšlienka, pekné priblíženie reality života na aljaške.

ale neviem si pomôcť, 3 hviezdičky, pretože ma druhá polka knihy už takmer nebavila. postavy tak trocha lezú na nervy, v podstate sa nič nedeje, až sa nakoniec udeje tá jedna vec, na ktorú celú dobu čakáme.

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.