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A review by thebookishfeminist
Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice
5.0
I absolutely loved this haunting novel set in post-apocalyptic land currently called Canada. It follows the journey of one family plus their entire Anishinaabeg community as they realize what’s happening, learn about the extent of the downfall, guard themselves against mysterious and potentially nefarious outsiders, and rally together to survive more than just one winter in their new normal. Evan Whitesky is likable, strong yet soft, smart yet not arrogant, and a character who shows so much love and dedication to his family and his tribe. His partner, Nicole, is similarly remarkable, they have two sweet kids, an extended family that reflects the Anishinaabe traditions and culture with storytelling, hunting + preparing their food, and dedicatedly caring for their elders.
This book hit a little uncomfortably close to home given that I read it while quarantining! But I loved the way Rice fleshed our the characters while not dragging out any singular person or situation unnecessarily, the way he incorporated Anishinaabe language and cultural elements into the narrative, the inspiring relationships between characters, and the emotional journey he brings us on. This book is chilling in a lot of ways, and it’s also somehow full of love and devotion and perseverance in a way that made me feel a little more positive about the Whitesky family and their community by the end. There is tragedy and horror, and there are straightforward lessons on displacement and ancestral lands and Anishinaabe survival within the text, and I appreciated and wholly respected that those elements were included without mincing words.
Rice is a really talented storyteller and I cannot wait to see what he writes next. I thoroughly enjoyed this; it helped get me back on track with reading after having a tough time focusing on much of anything during our own uncertain times in 2020.
This book hit a little uncomfortably close to home given that I read it while quarantining! But I loved the way Rice fleshed our the characters while not dragging out any singular person or situation unnecessarily, the way he incorporated Anishinaabe language and cultural elements into the narrative, the inspiring relationships between characters, and the emotional journey he brings us on. This book is chilling in a lot of ways, and it’s also somehow full of love and devotion and perseverance in a way that made me feel a little more positive about the Whitesky family and their community by the end. There is tragedy and horror, and there are straightforward lessons on displacement and ancestral lands and Anishinaabe survival within the text, and I appreciated and wholly respected that those elements were included without mincing words.
Rice is a really talented storyteller and I cannot wait to see what he writes next. I thoroughly enjoyed this; it helped get me back on track with reading after having a tough time focusing on much of anything during our own uncertain times in 2020.