Monday Book Review

April 14th, 2014

I am currently reading Eowyn Ivey's "The Snow Child" and I am loving it. Our book club chose this book last month and the general consensus is that this book is a great read. The book is based upon the old Russian folk-tale, Snegurochka, about an old, childless couple who fashion a little girl out of snow that then comes alive. 

The snow child stays with them during the winter but leaves every spring. There are many different versions of the fairy tale and the endings are typically not happy. But Eowyn Ivey gives this tale a much more thorough treatment than just a quick tale in a children's book. She sets her version in the Alaskan frontier in 1920 and the siren-song quality of the landscape is a major character in its own right. Ms. Ivey's character development is beautiful. The story of the main characters, Mabel and Jack, is lovingly and patiently told. I really don't want to give away anything but I will happily discuss this book in the comments below. But I am curious if my living in and falling in love with Alaska creates more of a connection for me than for others who read this book. So go and check it out! 

Did I mention that the author is a Palmer local? She is :) And I have heard her interviewed on our local NPR station and she was as fascinating as her book. And this amazing book that blends historical fiction so seamlessly with fantasy elements won a National Book Award and was on the short list for the Pulitzer for fiction! Pretty cool, eh?

(sorry, but we are pretty close to Canada ;) )