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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
This was not an easy read for me. Perhaps because it was my first exposure to a novel set in 18th-century Scandinavia, I sometimes struggled to orient myself.
For example, it took me awhile to grasp that "the Lapps" were not another one of the settler families, like "the Erikssons"; rather, according to Wikipedia, the Lapps are "an indigenous Finno-Ugric people inhabiting the Arctic area of Sápmi, which today encompasses parts of far northern Norway, Sweden, [and] Finland...."
More than once, a character I thought was dead showed up in a later scene, interacting with other characters. "Wait, I thought [he/she] was dead?" For a long while I thought I was misreading or misremembering which character was which, but it turns out that there are very realistic "ghosts" in this book, though they're not described as such. Interestingly, Swedish ghosts don't look or behave the way ghosts typically do in American folk tales: they're not translucent, they don't float, and they can (sometimes?) actually touch you and cause physical harm.
Despite my narrative discomforts, I found the initially slow pace really picked up around halfway through the book, and suddenly I was reading a great mystery novel in a quaint setting. It seemed almost as though I was reading about Miss Marple, in her youth, honing her skills in a remote Swedish farming community.
By the book's end, I had gained immense respect for the clues the author dropped along the way, and the important role some of my early confusion played in setting up some very satisfying discoveries. This is not a book where the reader knows more than the narrators; it requires patience and persistence to find the answers on Blackasen Mountain.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of Wolf Winter from the publisher in exchange for my unbiased review.
For example, it took me awhile to grasp that "the Lapps" were not another one of the settler families, like "the Erikssons"; rather, according to Wikipedia, the Lapps are "an indigenous Finno-Ugric people inhabiting the Arctic area of Sápmi, which today encompasses parts of far northern Norway, Sweden, [and] Finland...."
More than once, a character I thought was dead showed up in a later scene, interacting with other characters. "Wait, I thought [he/she] was dead?" For a long while I thought I was misreading or misremembering which character was which, but it turns out that there are very realistic "ghosts" in this book, though they're not described as such. Interestingly, Swedish ghosts don't look or behave the way ghosts typically do in American folk tales: they're not translucent, they don't float, and they can (sometimes?) actually touch you and cause physical harm.
Despite my narrative discomforts, I found the initially slow pace really picked up around halfway through the book, and suddenly I was reading a great mystery novel in a quaint setting. It seemed almost as though I was reading about Miss Marple, in her youth, honing her skills in a remote Swedish farming community.
By the book's end, I had gained immense respect for the clues the author dropped along the way, and the important role some of my early confusion played in setting up some very satisfying discoveries. This is not a book where the reader knows more than the narrators; it requires patience and persistence to find the answers on Blackasen Mountain.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of Wolf Winter from the publisher in exchange for my unbiased review.
4.5 stars; really, really enjoyed this. In a year where I've read some excellent historical novels this one is near the top. Ekback manages to convey an immersive sense of atmosphere and place that's both chilling and compulsively readable. My only gripe is with a rather large gap in time near the end that wasn't really in line with the tight pacing of the overall narrative, but it's a small complaint. Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy of this book.
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
really enjoyed this slow burn historical thriller that had so many interesting layers to it! the characters were all very strong yet flawed and the plot twists surprised me.
I received this book as part of Powell's Indiespensable (Which if you haven't discovered, you really need to).
The story the book tells is very interesting, and about a time and a culture I had no knowledge of befor e picking up this book. Wolf Winter is set in 18th century Sweden, and follows Maija and her family through a resettlement in a remote village, and the discovery of a murder, on the eve of a brutal winter.
The story is beautifully written, and well translated into English (I am always a little leery of translated works, but I enjoyed the atmosphere that still came through in the translation. The mountain where Maija and her family make their home becomes a character in its own right, and the surrounding wilderness is colorful and full of life and danger.
The author certainly seems to have done her homework, and the historical detail all ring true.
The mystery itself centers around the death of a local man, found ripped open in a clearing on the mountain. Through the story, which weaves from the too-short summer into the deadly winter, we learn more about the dead man, the other settlers on the mountain, the local tribespeople, and the residents of the nearby village.
The story meanders, introducing characters, subplots, and small tidbits about the murder and the history of the mountain along the way.
My only complaint about the book is that it ends a bit abruptly, but the conclusion is still a satisfying one. I highly recommend this book to mystery lovers, and anyone wanting to read something a bit off the beaten path.
The story the book tells is very interesting, and about a time and a culture I had no knowledge of befor e picking up this book. Wolf Winter is set in 18th century Sweden, and follows Maija and her family through a resettlement in a remote village, and the discovery of a murder, on the eve of a brutal winter.
The story is beautifully written, and well translated into English (I am always a little leery of translated works, but I enjoyed the atmosphere that still came through in the translation. The mountain where Maija and her family make their home becomes a character in its own right, and the surrounding wilderness is colorful and full of life and danger.
The author certainly seems to have done her homework, and the historical detail all ring true.
The mystery itself centers around the death of a local man, found ripped open in a clearing on the mountain. Through the story, which weaves from the too-short summer into the deadly winter, we learn more about the dead man, the other settlers on the mountain, the local tribespeople, and the residents of the nearby village.
The story meanders, introducing characters, subplots, and small tidbits about the murder and the history of the mountain along the way.
My only complaint about the book is that it ends a bit abruptly, but the conclusion is still a satisfying one. I highly recommend this book to mystery lovers, and anyone wanting to read something a bit off the beaten path.
Huh, I like it, I think. I'm not really sure. The writing style is lovely, and there were some wonderful twists and turns, but perhaps a few too many WTF tangents for me to really love it.
This dark historical fiction surprised me--it took a little bit to get into, and I found the characters were, at first, not very likable.
But then things got really interesting.
An unsolved murder, spirits, magic, and secrets secrets everywhere. This is about humans surviving on an unforgiving mountain as much as surviving each other and living together. How the past can come back to haunt you even when it's buried deep.
Overall, I recommend this for people who enjoy gritty historical fiction with a blending of nature and the spirit world. Also those who like a great female character who speaks her mind.
But then things got really interesting.
An unsolved murder, spirits, magic, and secrets secrets everywhere. This is about humans surviving on an unforgiving mountain as much as surviving each other and living together. How the past can come back to haunt you even when it's buried deep.
Overall, I recommend this for people who enjoy gritty historical fiction with a blending of nature and the spirit world. Also those who like a great female character who speaks her mind.
I liked how the history was imbedded in the mystical aspects of their pioneering lives. The language was beautiful. The daily hardships of the winter allowed for raw emotions only - I felt that the lack of mundane details added to the authenticity of the magical story.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
I wish that the fantastical/magical sort of aspect wasn't included. The story could have been really strong as just realistic, but overall I still liked it.
I feel like there was a lot going on and then you learn everything conveniently at the end.