The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

from goodreads

3 stars

I really admire authors, especially on their debut novels. When you write a book you are really opening yourself up. Not so much that your work is a view into your soul, but rather, you are putting on display something that you have worked hard on and the critics will be coming.

Critics can come in many shapes and forms. There are the formal critics who are educated and make this their living. They see writing in ways that others miss. And then there are the actual readers. Normal people who have picked up your book in the hopes of being entertained or informed or whatever.

Being prepared for other people's thoughts and ideas on your words seems terrifying to me. I am sure there is a bunch of built up anticipation and expectations. So thank you first time authors, and for longtime authors who were at one time first time authors. Thank you for opening yourself up for our thoughts. It is a brave thing indeed.

Synopsis

Jack and Mabel have left their old life in the eastern United States, to try their hand at homesteading in Alaska. They are childless, though they at one time dreamed of having children. One day they build a snow maiden and that changes their life forever.

 My Thoughts

This book had a lot of cool ideas, but I found it confusing and a bit jumbled.

The character of Faina confused me. Was she a snow child turned to life? a real person? a real person reincarnated into snow? There were so many theories running through my head as I tried to make sense of this character. I would think I had it figured out and then something was done or said which made me have to change my mind. Even with it finished I'm still not sure. Maybe that's the point?

I also felt Jack and Mabel's age seemed unclear. At some points they seemed to be in their 50s. Then they would say something or did something and that would make them seem older or younger. I found their characters really hard to picture. And seriously Jack, open up emotionally already.

I loved the character of Esther. She is the right kind of feisty. I wish I could meet her and be enveloped in her hugs.

I loved the character that Alaska played in this book. Ivey does such a great job of painting the untamed nature of Alaska. I totally need to vacation there sometime.

When I read this back in November/December, there was still grass on the ground and it was warm. I wished I had waited until there was snow on the ground and I was curled up under a blanket by a fire. I think I would have appreciated everything, especially the landscape, even more.

For a debut book it wasn't bad. There was a lot going for it. I just wished things were more clear and thought through.