A review by chelsaat
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

emotional mysterious reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0


THE SNOW CHILD is a retelling of Snegurochka, a Russian fairytale about an old couple who can’t have children, who build a little girl from snow. The girl visits them every winter but leaves when spring comes. What I loved about this tale in particular is that you’re never quite sure if the girl is real or not - there’s evidence for both possibilities and it’s left up to your own interpretation.

I’ve read a few books now about how harsh and lovely the Alaskan wilderness is, but this one might be my favorite. Ivey’s writing is so magical and melancholy that I felt literal chills when she was describing a snowstorm. The pacing was sometimes a little off, but overall it read like a fairytale I never wanted to emerge from.

 
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