Review: "The Snow Child" by Eowyn Ivey

"Alaska, the 1920s. Jack and Mabel have staked everything on a fresh start in a remote homestead, but the wilderness is a stark place, and Mabel is haunted by the baby she lost many years before. When a little girl appears mysteriously on their land, each is filled with wonder, but also foreboding - is she what she seems, and can they find room in their hearts for her?" (blurb from my edition of the novel).

This retelling of a Russian folk tale, that of the snow maiden, built by an old, childless couple and mysteriously come to life, is a beautiful and well-crafted novel. I had bought it because I had liked another book by the same author. And I really enjoyed reading this one as well, for several reasons. 

One is the interesting mixture of realism - in the way the mental and physical struggles of the main characters are depicted, or in the description of life in the Alaskan wilderness - and magic - through the character of the snow child. Is it a fairy tale? Is it magical realist story? Or are the fantastical elements simply projections of the character's imagination? Different levels of reading intertwine, leaving the reader with a sense of wonder. The historical setting was also well done, with appropriate details on clothing, buildings, etc., and the intertextuality with the Russian tale and its different retellings cleverly brought about. 

Another reason is the description of Alaska and life in its wilderness. The author is an Alaskan and I believe it shows. The depictions of the landscape, the animals, the plants, the seasons were vivid and beautifully written. They transported me to this land which men were still trying to tame at the time, and made me want to actually see it for myself! 

The point of view in the different chapters shifts from that of Mabel to that of Jack, until the last part of the book where we enter the thoughts of another character. Mabel and Jack are ordinary, relatable people. I thought that Mabel was more complex and well-written than Jack. And in comparison, the third character whose point of view is featured could have been a little bit more developped. But that is only a minor criticism, and one that does not take away from the pleasure of reading this novel. 

I must point out that the is character-driven and that there is not much in terms of plot. Not that I found it to be a hindrance: it is still an oddly gripping read and the character's struggles, as well as the aura of mystery that permeates the story, kept me turning the pages. It is a book that will certainly appeal to lovers of literary fiction and even nature writing.