The Snow Child (original 2012; edition 2012)

Beautifully written. Defintely my style writing: subject-verb-objective and yet it is not boring. I found it difficult to reconcile the child who was in fact a wild animal and her eventual socialization. That didn't work. Yet in the end she does return to the wild. Compelling. A definite detour on your reading voyage. ( )

I want to call this historical pioneer fiction, which it is, 80% of the time. The other 20% is magic surrealism. Once you get through the first 50 pages, you'll know what I mean. If your into frontier homesteading, especially the Alaskan variety, than there is much to like here. There is a fairy tale angle though so be warned. I love both of those styles of writing, but I have to say, I never thought the two could be blended together so well. Ms. Ivey has pulled it off in a compelling way. I was engaged through the whole book. You can tell that she has lived in Alaska and has done her research. She has written a very convincing portrayal of a sorrowful marriage and also young blossoming love. The story is quite sad however. Come to think of it, I am having a hard time coming up with a frontier book about Alaska that isn't sad. Alaska can be kind of rough on hopes and dreams. Anyway, I look forward to reading more of Ms. Ivey's work in the future. If you happen to be driving through Palmer, AK, check out their little independent bookstore where Ms. Ivey is employed - Fireside Books. I never miss a chance to peruse the stacks and chat with the shop keepers. ( )

A captivating story about a couple who are trying to build a life on the Alaskan frontier. Life is hard and they are just eking out an existence but when a little girl appears in their lives. They have been unable to have a child and have always longed for one but is this child real or imagnary? Full of lovely descriptions of the beauty of Alaska and life in the Alaskan wilderness in the 1920s. ( )

Wonderful. There was something truly magical about this story and the writing was simply exquisite. ( )

This is a story based on the Russian legend telling of the couple who longed for a child but were unable to have one of their own so created one out of snow. As told in this story the couple Jack and Mabel have moved to the wildernesses of Alaska to farm after losing a child of their own. It is a hard life and Mabel is still struggling with the death of their child.. One winter they create and dress a snow child who comes to life and visits them every winter then disappearing every summer. The child becomes a part of their family and their lives - almost. She gives Mabel a purpose for living and helps her to become more at home in the wilds of Alaska. The story is beautifully told and gives a wonderful picture of life in the Alaskan wilderness. You could easily imagine you were there with them sharing their life. There is so much descriptive detail in the story and the characters are so well drawn.. This is a lovely book one I would recommend everybody to read.. ( )