THE SNOW CHILD is beautifully written: no doubt about it. The author is very, very talented, and if this is actually her debut, well, let's just say I'm hugely impressed.
This is one of those books that you delve into knowing as less as possible. Because so much of it is about the wondering, the wishing, the knowing but doubting yourself anyway. And yet, most of all, this book is about the struggle, sadness, and grief that this couple is going through. A couple who after a horrible event that turns their lives upside down, turn to one of the most isolated places on earth in hope of finding comfort and and peace in one another's company.
But things don't quite turn out to be as glamorous as they expected. Alaska is practically a death wish if you are not well prepared for it and with Winter here the couple are struggling to to keep up more than ever. Jack works hard to keep food on the table, whilst Mabel shrinks more and more into herself as her grief consumes her.
It is horrible. Just horrible seeing this couple so utterly destroyed by their bitterness and sadness. There is this huge hole, this silence that always looms around them when they are in bed, eating dinner, or in the kitchen. It is not only uncomfortable for them but also for the reader. So when Esther, her husband George, and their son Garret, enter their lives, you see an instant change.
Jack's silences change into laughter around George, and it's through seeing the blunt and strong Esther that Mabel sees life through new eyes. Ones that help her to let go a little and see all the possibility that is out there. And Esther, wow. This woman is just incredible. The way she practically barges into their lives, doesn't take no for an answer and helps them time and time again is just amazing. Everyone needs a friend like Esther in their lives.
But it is in a rare moment of togetherness and joy that the two make a snow child. They give her mittens, a scarf, a coat, and yellow grass for hair. But the next day the snow child is gone. In the next few days they see a little girl running, a fox always by her side. From here on, things take a drastic turn.
The snow child is very mysterious throughout the book. In fact, a whole lot of the book is mysterious. So if patience is not your best trait, then you're really going to have to work hard at it because a lot is not clear until the last few chapters. The pace is more on the steady side (which took some getting used to at first ) but once I got into it, boy I really got into it. I do think the book shifts a little (engrossing -wise) towards the beginning and end - being at its strongest in the middle.
As I was reading THE SNOW CHILD, I was pretty much in awe of it. I would hold my breath when Mabel and Jack had those rare, tender moments (dancing to a particular song, which was a favourite moment of mine) when he would stroke her cheek, or hold her. I craved those moments for them as much as Mabel did because I was desperate to rid the wall that separated them. And although I don't think I was emotionally connected to the book as I would have liked (i never got emotional once) it was still, and only these two, that had my heart soaring and me smiling with relief and happiness when they were happy. I would hope for more happier times to come. And when they did, I dreaded the worst. I grew to love the two immensely, and although some of their decisions weren't the very best, I always forgave them.
After finishing the book, confusingly enough, I don't know where I stand with it. I love it, adore it even but feel a tad underwhelmed. I think it's because I couldn't connect to some of the characters. Sure I adore Esther, Mabel and Jack. But what about the actual snow child, and Garrett and George? They are wonderful characters, but I do feel that they were lacking some depth. Although we get to be in Garrett's head sometimes, it didn't feel like enough. I wanted to connect with him, because clearly he was such a wonderful boy, who below the sulking face and bratty tendencies was so loyal and hardworking. A boy still struggling to become a man. He had a mother and father who didn't have very high expectations in him, who often belittled him and thought his older brothers more worthy (this is hinted at but never really explored). And what of George? A man equally as fantastic as Esther but not quite given as much of the limelight. Which leaves us with the most precious character of them all: the snow child herself. She is mysterious and intriguing all at once. But both of these things always seem to surround her, allowing me to never truly get her as a character, which was frustrating at times. And even when there is room to understand her a little more, I still felt at arms length. So I don't know what I should think of her. I don't know where I stand with her because I wasn't given enough to understand or connect with her.
But I think these are much personal gripes that many of you will most likely not have. As a whole, I think this book is utterly beautiful and so refreshing. It's the kind of book that leaves you quite in thought (as it has done with me) and will make you turn to any other reader that has read it and want to really sit down and have a well thought out and lengthy discussion.
You know, honestly, I don't know if this book is for everyone. But I still can't stop thinking about it, and I believe that it is quite the special read. If you decide to pick it up, taking in the negatives and the positives, then just be sure to get back to me when you finish it so we can discuss. I genuinely hope you can find the beauty in it too.
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