The Snow Child

Image courtesy of
www.eowynivey.com

The Snow Child
Eowyn Ivey
2012

The Summary
Set on the Wolverine River of Alaska in the early twentieth century, The Snow Child recounts the experiences of Jack and Mabel, homesteaders on the frontiers of the far north, as they struggle to survive another year in grief and another winter.

But on an especially cold night with the first snow of winter, Jack's and Mabel's lives change forever when they meet a little girl name Faina, a mysterious young girl surviving in the inhospitable wilderness - a girl who seems to have sprouted from the snow.

The Good
The Snow Child is a hauntingly beautiful story.  Well-paced, intricate, and emotional, Eowyn Ivey's novel pulls together all the elements of a great novel by combining legends with simple, human psychology and amazing literary skill.

Although occasionally tragic, this novels combines evocative imagery, heart-warming depth, and fantastic characterizations to create a wonderful story that's sure to keep you glued to its pages.  In particular, Ivey appears to take great care in forming her characters, giving them emotional depth and heart-breaking honesty.

On a personal level, I also loved the way Ivey managed to weave together all the elements of legends - i.e. Little Daughter of the Snow by Arthur Ransome and "Snegurochka" - and fairy tales but still remain true to her own story.  While it borrows from old works, it also manages to forge a path of its own and tell an intriguing and riveting tale of sorrow, joy, and life.

The Bad
Perhaps my one and only complain about The Snow Child is the feeling of impending calamity.  From the instant you meet Faina - in fact, from the minute you see her becoming like a daughter to this sad, wonderful couple - you begin to wonder and worry and fret over who Faina is and, occasionally, what she may be.

More to the point, you begin to wonder what will happen to her by story's end.

The Ugly
Living and surviving in the Alaskan wilderness can be especially difficult.  More importantly, it can be brutal - and, as a reader, you may be witness to a few ugly and brutal things that may make you feel squeamish or may tug at your heart strings.