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thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
hm, it's been quite some time since i last finished a book frowning. the snow child is an amalgamation of many beautiful aspects: vivid scenery that makes for several wonderful, stirring scenes--the snow child-making and ice-skating scenes, in particular--filled w/ characters that demonstrate the charm and oft-touching neighborly relationships in the alaskan wilderness, and themes of life's possibilities, found family, nature's breathless beauty. and yet, the thread that holds it all tgt--faina's existence--is flimsy, and unfortunately makes for a magical realizm book that, in my opinion, lacks realism. it feels like a story that teters between a fairytale and realistic fiction, struggles throughout w/ trying to be both and neither, and pulls the rug off my feet at the end. throughout the whole book, the old couple wrestles w/ the wonder and--as is asserted pointedly several times--the "real humanness" of their own snow child, thus the ending makes for a baffling conclusion.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
Minor: Child death and Death
kodi_rae's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.0
I saw another review use the word “bittersweet” and I think it’s a perfect description of this book. Deep sadness and loneliness paired with mystical wonder and tenderness. The ending did feel rushed a bit to me and I have some lingering questions, though I know that’s also the point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child death, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Grief
Minor: Alcoholism, Infertility, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
leialeilani's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Minor: Infertility, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
lil_micks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.75
This books is so simultaneously beautiful and joyful and warm while also being so heartbreaking and melancholy at the same time. A gorgeous, cozy read that must be read in the winter during a snowstorm.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Pregnancy
caribbeangirlreading's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Infertility, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
Minor: Child death and Death of parent
The MCs of this novel live as homesteaders in 1920s Alaska. They hunted and fished wild animals for food and fur. Some may find these descriptions very disturbing.sigynmoon's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? No
4.75
This book will truly stay with me. Beautiful, sweet, sad and haunting. Very much about love, which this book captured perfectly. The only thing keeping it from being a five is that I feel one element lacks clarity in a way that hurt the story just a little bit. Still, a beautiful read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Child death, Miscarriage, Blood, and Pregnancy
Minor: Alcoholism and Alcohol
amberinbookland's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Infertility, Miscarriage, Blood, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
chrisljm's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
bittersweet ending
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Death, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism
spaceanais's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.25
Nobody look at me!
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Animal death, Miscarriage, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Pregnancy
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