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I can’t help feeling surprised every time I go to the public library and I discover that they have a certain book I want to read, and I am more than astonished when one of those books is in the English section. They are purchasing a lot of books that have been published more or less recently, and despite all the books that I have in my “to be read” pile, I always get one book or two in English when I visit the library.
I knew The snow child because Leander wrote that kind of review that makes you need to read the book, and it has been a great recommendation because this tale is a special one that makes you live for a while in another world.
I take photographs to the books for my Spanish blog, and this is the one I chose for The snow child
Mabel and Jack are a middle-aged couple that have decided to earn a living in Alaska in the 1920s. They don’t have any children and don’t know anybody there, so they try to work alone that hard and cold land unsuccessfully before realizing that there are other people living there that are keen to help each other. Perhaps Jack and Mabel have been so lonely all their lives that they haven’t got to know that winter is not so cold when you can share the hard work in the forest, and also the hot meal at the end of the day; that’s totally new for them but it changes their lives.
One night after visiting their neighbours (a neighbor there meant that they live a few miles away from them), it starts snowing and the couple make a beautiful snow girl in their yard, to discover the next morning that the snow girl is gone but a little child has appeared in the forest. She visits them from time to time, getting some animals and fruits for them as presents, and even though they are very worried about her being alone in the winter, the girl never stops for a long time in their cabin and seems to know the forest as well as the palm of her hand. But this child only appears when they both are alone and their neighbours think they are getting some kind of sickness in that isolated place.
This is a little tale in which the reader just doesn’t know if the child is real or not, but it doesn’t really matter because you see that the main characters, Jack and Mabel, find a new beginning just by loving that child as if she were their own, thinking that they are not alone in this world. And this is a relief, because in the first chapter of the book Mabel is about to commit suicide in the river near their lands.
Besides these few charming characters, the location is also important in the story since the author creates a unique atmosphere there in Alaska with small villages where the pioneers tried to get a new beginning far away from their homes; a place where everything is possible, even to create a child of the first snow of the year. And you won’t believe it, but when I was reading the book in my village, the weather changed and was quite cold for a couple of days, making me wonder if Mabel, Jack and the child would appear there in the mountains.
The snow child is an emotional story you will love.
Other reviews of this book:
Book on Goodreads Keep calm and read 20 books in English: 14/20
So happy you enjoyed it Isi! It is such a magical story – and I thought your comment was very perceptive about winter being less cold when you have friends to share it with. Very true. Looking forward to seeing what else you get out from the library!
Yes, the couple are desperated, but their life changes when they get to know other people and become friends, which is also a beautiful part in the story.
Ohh a lot of books in English are waiting for me in the library! I’m so glad we have such a collection of new books 🙂
Glad you liked it 🙂 It’s quite a simple story really, but very moving, and I agree with you that knowing whether Faina is real or not doesn’t really matter. You do want to know, but it’s what she represents and the atmosphere she creates that is most important.
Yes, the setting is one of the characters, I think, since the story wouldn’t be the same in another place. It’s delightful!
Thanks for the shout out! I am so glad you enjoyed this book more than I did. While I did like it, I fully expected to cry at the end (I’m SUCH a crier), and when I didn’t, I was disappointed. But many other people 100% disagree with me, so that’s good! Different opinions make the world a better place.
I did cry at the end. So I absolutely understand you: if I hadn’t cried, it wouldn’t have been the same!
Lovely review, I loved this book too, it is certainly one that stays with you.
Ohh I’m linking also your review and I’m going to read it!
This is a special book, I agree!
I’ve heard so many wonderful things about this book! It sounds really lovely, and I hope to read it soon. Nice review!
Thanks, Leah!
You have to read it – even I have read it 😉 I think you’ll find it delightful, you’ll see!
Nice review, Isi! I hope to read the book myself, because you make it sound so lovely. I haven’t read an emotional book in a while, thanks for the recommendation 🙂
Yes, I know you haven’t been lucky lately with your readings. I think you would like this one, I’ve been so hooked on the story and the characters, and it’s worth giving it a try 😉
I added it to my TBR! You know I wanted to buy The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult when she tweeted the book was on sale for $6.99 but when I checked it was still $16.21 (dodge…) but I think I’m going to buy this one, as well as the other one Rebecca recommended (Cover of Snow) since I won a amazon voucher from Shelleyrae’s book blog 😀
wow, lucky you! 😀 I can imagine your TBP growing more and more 😛
I also want to read more by Jodi Picoult, but I have to check the public library first, to see what they have there.
I loved this book too! The setting is great – I love cold settings anyway, and this was was so well described. Glad you loved it too, even in summer!
Yes, it was great to have a “fresh” novel in summer 😀 I also love these kind of settings, in remote, cold places!
I’m so glad that you loved it! I’m also really excited that you found it in English because I know you prefer that.
Yes, it was a surprise both because I could read it in English and also because I loved it. You have to read it!
I really need to read this book at some point. It is getting such great reviews and it is great to hear you liked it too.
Great that your library has so many recent books in English 🙂
Yes, it has been as if I’m studying English and the staff at the library know it and get more books for me 😉
And I think you will love it; you have to read it!
A coworker who seems to read my along the same lines as me was reading this last week, so I imagine I’ll be reading it soon enough! Thanks for the review!
Jennine: oohh you’ll see this book is special! What a luck that your coworker and you like the same books 😀
I have this in my TBR pile for the near future. You make me want to bump it up to “as soon as possible”!
Hope it’s nearer now 😛
I think this is a lovely story, you’ll see