The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
22 February, 2013
That’s what my name means, Faina said, still pointing.
Mountain?
No. That light. Papa named me for the color on the snow when the sun turns.
Alpenglow, Mabel said.
I probably wouldn’t have read this book for some time if it wasn’t my book group read last month. It’s had some wonderful reviews and I know it’s quickly become a favourite of so many of you out there. But the hype. It was just too much for me. So I was thinking I’d wait awhile. But I’m really glad I didn’t because it is simply enchanting.
The Snow Child
Having relocated to Alaska after a tragic loss, Mabel and Jack are struggling to make their farm work, the loneliness and poverty slowly eating into their relationship. But a chance creation of a little snowman one wintry night conjures up a little girl and transforms their life.
I was prepared to be sceptical but within a few pages, Ivey won me over. Her prose is assured and calm and evokes the bitter winters and the fleeting summers of Alaska, a harsh, rugged and lonely land. Not only do you fall in love with all her characters, but you feel a little crush of sadness that you will be leaving the stark landscape so lovingly rendered. It’s hard to believe this is her debut novel. I loved everything about it, from the descriptions of farming, the solitude, the poverty. And most of all, I loved her characters; Mabel and Jack’s relationship, often difficult, but of a deep, deep love, Esther and George’s boisterous family, Garret growing into manhood and Faina’s mystery.
The Snow Child is like a fairytale and yet it isn’t. I don’t know whether Ivey cares how people take this. I liked that there was some mystery to the tale and that it wasn’t over explained. There’s a melancholy and stillness to the world she has created and I loved every beautiful word of it. But to sustain a full novel, you need tension, and there’s plenty of it. We first meet Mabel as she contemplates drowning herself in a frozen river. We feel for Mable and Jack’s loss. And we worry about Faina. There’s an underlying darkness and coldness that matches the terrain spiked with sudden, unexpected bursts of love and warmth. Wonderful.
It’s a triumph and I’m glad I didn’t wait so long to read this. And I’ll be looking forward to her next novel.
Do also check out Kim’s review of The Snow Child.
chasing bawa 
22 February, 2013 at 11:30 am
I’ve had this on my Goodreads list for a while – thanks for this glowing review!
1 March, 2013 at 11:55 am
I hope you get to it soon!
22 February, 2013 at 6:19 pm
A name right out of Tolkien!
1 March, 2013 at 11:55 am
I know! I love it!
23 February, 2013 at 11:08 am
This was suggested for my book club but rejected because someone had read it (and hated it). We only read stuff that no one in the group has read. Interesting to see such vastly different opinions.
1 March, 2013 at 11:57 am
I think having mixed reviews makes a book more interesting – it certainly piques my interest!
23 February, 2013 at 12:33 pm
This book was an absolute favourite read of 2012 for me and I was a little sad to read Kim’s review and see how many people were put off reading it. The magic realism is not to everyone’s taste, but I thought the prose was amazing and the story very life-affirming.
Another reader whose blog I follow put off reading it, perceiving it a woman’s book and then he really loved it and wrote a wonderful review
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It’s the kind of book that requires ignoring the hype to see for ourselves, always a challenging task I agree. I am happy I got it to early, before the hype.
1 March, 2013 at 11:59 am
I probably wouldn’t have read it so soon if it wasn’t a book group pick just because of the hype. But I’m glad I did. I’m not such a great fan of magical realism either but I loved this book and I think part of it was the mystery. But you never know whether you’d like something until you try it, so for me, negative reviews never put me off trying.:)
23 February, 2013 at 5:31 pm
I’ve heard nothing but good about this book! I should try and read it soon before the winter is over, but I don’t think I am going to make it.
1 March, 2013 at 12:00 pm
It’s definitely one to read during winter but make sure you wrap up warm! Or maybe in the middle of a hot summer when you need a bit of chill.;P
23 February, 2013 at 5:32 pm
my best friend really like this one I had avoid it due to hype but that was last year so I hope to borrow it from him at some point ,all the best stu
1 March, 2013 at 12:00 pm
Oh do, Stu! Although there’s a lot of hype when a book is coming out, it dies down pretty quickly, doesn’t it?
25 February, 2013 at 7:44 pm
I hoped you’d like this book Sakura – phew! Glad you did.
1 March, 2013 at 12:00 pm
I loved it!
26 February, 2013 at 5:18 am
I have read mixed reviews of this book but I hope I like it as much as you did. Its sitting right here on my desk and will most likely be my next read.
1 March, 2013 at 12:01 pm
I went into it with a pretty open mind and it really surprised me, wasn’t at all what I expected. So I hope you enjoy it too!