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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
This is a brilliant book that I enjoyed a lot - a hard winter, people trying to survive, a mystery, and more than a bit of something... supernatural, something that cannot be explained. What's not to love? And the use of language of sentence structure... made me swoon.
It took me a while to get into the story though, as the writing style was a bit different to what I'm used to. But that might be more my problem than that of the book. At around 20% onwards I had a hard time putting the story away for some hours.
I would have wished we would have had an ending that showed a bit more about what happens with all our protagonists. With no sequel planned I felt a bit disappointed. It's still a good ending, though.
After a short break I'll definitely read more from the author and will absolutely re-read this one.
It took me a while to get into the story though, as the writing style was a bit different to what I'm used to. But that might be more my problem than that of the book. At around 20% onwards I had a hard time putting the story away for some hours.
I would have wished we would have had an ending that showed a bit more about what happens with all our protagonists. With no sequel planned I felt a bit disappointed. It's still a good ending, though.
After a short break I'll definitely read more from the author and will absolutely re-read this one.
Absolutely amazing and intense and just glorious is a definite read for this year. Will be on the look out for another book from this author for sure.
The atmosphere of this book was just what I had hoped it would be. The landscape, the brutal winter, the light—they are all powerful. The main characters are compelling and I loved the spiritual, haunting elements of their powers and pasts. The writing is strong and evocative. I’d rate this something closer to 4.5 because of it.
There are places where I thought the plot or pacing faltered, making some revelations feel a bit rushed? Forced? Or maybe it was just that in a slow book like this one, the fast moments are simply jarring. At the end, the mysteries were resolved in a mostly satisfying way—though by then I was invested elsewhere.
All in all, this is a good read—perfect for my own little winter.
There are places where I thought the plot or pacing faltered, making some revelations feel a bit rushed? Forced? Or maybe it was just that in a slow book like this one, the fast moments are simply jarring. At the end, the mysteries were resolved in a mostly satisfying way—though by then I was invested elsewhere.
All in all, this is a good read—perfect for my own little winter.
This was a compelling book, perfect choice to settle in for a hygge evening. The setting was stark and frightening and the characters deep. At the same time, the love between family members kept warmth in the narrative. I really enjoyed this book, especially when the plot picked up in the second half.
DNFed at 4%
This was just one of those books when I knew right away that it wasn't for me. Choppy sentences. Just the writing in general. I'm not sure if that's a fault with the translator or not, but I couldn't get through it.
This was just one of those books when I knew right away that it wasn't for me. Choppy sentences. Just the writing in general. I'm not sure if that's a fault with the translator or not, but I couldn't get through it.
I thought this book was astounding, probably the best I have read this year.
Set in 18th century Lapland, it combines a political expose, a tale of a difficult adolescence, a deeply philosophical examination of the power of religion in rural society, the hardships of a pioneer family in harsh conditions, and a 'Scandi noir' mystery.
It is bleak and introspective to a painful degree. The setting is a cruel, seemingly endless winter above the Arctic Circle where starving wolves roam the mountains and dawn is only a distant dream. The language is stark and unforgiving. None of the characters is likeable and their motives are always suspect. And yet...
This book is beautiful. It is optimistic in the sense that, no matter what horrendous events take place, even if in the end there is no resolution of anything that has gone before, people survive and move on. The author has specified that there will not be a sequel, which is perfect because the mental images we have of the main characters will stay with us always.
Set in 18th century Lapland, it combines a political expose, a tale of a difficult adolescence, a deeply philosophical examination of the power of religion in rural society, the hardships of a pioneer family in harsh conditions, and a 'Scandi noir' mystery.
It is bleak and introspective to a painful degree. The setting is a cruel, seemingly endless winter above the Arctic Circle where starving wolves roam the mountains and dawn is only a distant dream. The language is stark and unforgiving. None of the characters is likeable and their motives are always suspect. And yet...
This book is beautiful. It is optimistic in the sense that, no matter what horrendous events take place, even if in the end there is no resolution of anything that has gone before, people survive and move on. The author has specified that there will not be a sequel, which is perfect because the mental images we have of the main characters will stay with us always.
So my mammy's friend lent me this book because she'd read it through her book club and thought I might be interested in it, and I can see why this is such a good choice for a book club, even if it wasn't really my thing. The story is something like Arthur Miller's 'The Crucible' meets Marcus Sedgwick's 'Revolver', it's a story about uncertainty and the fear that comes in small, isolated communities from uncertainty. It's actually really well written, in that the reader feels the same kind of confusion and frustration as events unfold as the characters do mirroring their journey of unsettled uncertainty. The author is from Sweden and her parents are from Lapland and it was actually pretty fabulous to read something obviously so enriched with her childhood memories of Sweden. Unfortunately, the book just didn't grip me, I prefer faster moving plots and the glacial (both figurative and literal) uncertain pace of this book didn't do it for me. However, I thought it was only fair that I write a review so that people would know what to expect from what is a book with depth, which unfortunately just didn't suit my personal tastes and so ended up getting one star.
Happy reading folks, always happy to take/give recommendations as always.
Book love,
Grace
Happy reading folks, always happy to take/give recommendations as always.
Book love,
Grace
Wolf Winter, by Cecilia Ekbäck, is a haunting tale of isolation, superstition and murder set in a remote, mountain community in 1717 Swedish Lapland. Maija, her husband Paavo and their daughters Frederika and Dorotea have moved to the Blackåsen Mountain from their native Finland hoping to escape their past. It is not to be.
Whilst out herding goats with her sister, Frederika comes upon the mutilated body of one of the other settlers. His violent death is put down to a wild animal attack but, having examined his remains, Maija will not accept this verdict. Throughout the course of a particularly harsh season, a wolf winter, she stubbornly questions her neighbours about what preceded the man’s demise. It seems that everyone has secrets.
Overseeing the scattered community is a Church determined to suppress the Shamanism which Maija eschews but which still lurks beneath the surface on the brooding mountain. It is unclear what is real and what is conjured up through fear but it cannot be spoken of. Suspected witches will be tried and condemned.
The story is told from three perspectives: Maija, Frederika and a priest who is also new to the area. The prose is sparse, evoking the cold and bleak atmosphere of the setting and the challenges of staying alive in such a wild and isolated place.
As well as portraying the storms and darkness of the day to day lives of the settlers the author explores relationships with a sometimes uncomfortable realism. She skilfully presents Maija’s feelings towards her husband who has changed so much since they first met; the increasing distance between Maija and the teenage Frederika; Frederika’s burgeoning interest in a young Lapp man; the conflicts felt by the priest in his encounters with two of his female flock.
The layers and twists in this tale make for powerful reading. As secrets are uncovered the resultant truths precipitate reactions which must then be dealt with by all. The climax of the tale does not disappoint.
Beautifully written with a clear and haunting voice, this story takes the reader into the heart of a dark and challenging way of life. The cold seeps in along with the story. Wrap up well and enjoy.
My copy of this book was provided gratis by the publisher, Hodder and Stoughton.
Whilst out herding goats with her sister, Frederika comes upon the mutilated body of one of the other settlers. His violent death is put down to a wild animal attack but, having examined his remains, Maija will not accept this verdict. Throughout the course of a particularly harsh season, a wolf winter, she stubbornly questions her neighbours about what preceded the man’s demise. It seems that everyone has secrets.
Overseeing the scattered community is a Church determined to suppress the Shamanism which Maija eschews but which still lurks beneath the surface on the brooding mountain. It is unclear what is real and what is conjured up through fear but it cannot be spoken of. Suspected witches will be tried and condemned.
The story is told from three perspectives: Maija, Frederika and a priest who is also new to the area. The prose is sparse, evoking the cold and bleak atmosphere of the setting and the challenges of staying alive in such a wild and isolated place.
As well as portraying the storms and darkness of the day to day lives of the settlers the author explores relationships with a sometimes uncomfortable realism. She skilfully presents Maija’s feelings towards her husband who has changed so much since they first met; the increasing distance between Maija and the teenage Frederika; Frederika’s burgeoning interest in a young Lapp man; the conflicts felt by the priest in his encounters with two of his female flock.
The layers and twists in this tale make for powerful reading. As secrets are uncovered the resultant truths precipitate reactions which must then be dealt with by all. The climax of the tale does not disappoint.
Beautifully written with a clear and haunting voice, this story takes the reader into the heart of a dark and challenging way of life. The cold seeps in along with the story. Wrap up well and enjoy.
My copy of this book was provided gratis by the publisher, Hodder and Stoughton.
Great in terms of atmospheric development. It really does make you feel cold as you keep getting deeper and deeper into the hopelessness that is the wolf winter. Yet, the pacing is a bit odd, and by the end it almost feels like you're reading a separate novel altogether.