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ymziegler's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Just finished a reread. This book is so significant to me in my personal life because of when I read it, and I gave this to my aunt when my grandma was dying and this book just holds such a special place in my heart. The exploration of grief and choosing joy and choosing to keep going, I love this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, and Suicide attempt
hannahrenae's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Miscarriage, and Grief
Minor: Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
owlmybookandplanneradventures's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This coming-of-age and retelling of the Russian fairytale "Daughter of the Snow" set in Alaska in the 1920s blurs the line between reality and fantasy with some magical realism. It is enchanting, heart warming & gut wrenching. It encompasses themes such as starting over to heal, the struggle to survive, loss, grief, and hope.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
victoranna263's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Child death and Grief
Minor: Suicide and Suicide attempt
chalkletters's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
As far as I remember, The Snow Child was a book I picked up from one of work's book sales, and first read over Christmas (very seasonally appropriate). I thought I remembered the basic story, and liked it well enough, so I thought I'd read it again during the even colder months of January and February. Maybe it would help me recapture my love of snow after it betrayed me. (Yes, yes, I am Lorelai Gilmore.)
Eowyn Ivey's descriptions of snow are very lovely and cosy, like sitting inside in the warm and watching snow fall against the window. Even when the characters face the genuine dangers of an Alaskan winter, the prose is always light and enchanting. While I wouldn't say the story was predictable or obviously moving towards any particular happy ending, the danger to these characters is very rarely physical and immediate.
At first, it seems as though The Snow Child might be a version of Pollyanna: an unusual, pure-hearted child appears to bring new meaning into older characters' lives. (Which is absolutely fine, but a little overdone. Why must it always be a child?) Fortunately, there was more going on between Mabel and Jack, and the child's touch is not the only thing required to fix their relationship, which was very much appreciated.
Faina (the titular snow child), too, has more going on than just being a child made of snow that came to life. Throughout the story, Eowyn Ivey presents evidence for both sides, that Faina is flesh-and-blood or that she's something more folkloric, and without spoiling the ending, even that is left fairly open for the reader to decide.
Overall, a lovely wintery read that had more nuance in it than I had remembered! Also, bonus cameo of an otter, which is always welcome.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Minor: Pregnancy