On paper, this book made sense for the book club. The safe bet is to pick a book that you've already read, but that's cheating. So I picked a book that promised the wonder of mythical creatures, short, well reviewed and it has a fox on the cover. A fox is always a good sign. I thought, I am a genius at picking books! Nope, I am not. In reality it features a depressed Alaskan couple trying to homestead in the super-grim 1920's. The sad couple discover (or create out of snow) a semi-feral girl (or mythical creature). The fox has a minor role. MINOR ROLE. I think the cover is cute. Its not a bad book but it didn't exactly generate an lively invigorating discussion either. It is the Jennifer Garner of books.
If you are really into Russian folktales retold in a different setting, say Alaska in the1920's, this book is for you! The biggest plot point is whether the girl is made out of snow or is an orphaned Swede. Whether she is mythical or real never actually is resolved. It does get a minor cool point for mentioning how awesome wolverines are. They are, everyone knows it, but they deserve a mention once in a while.
Eowyn Ivey, whose name appears to be from the Hobbit-name generator, is a first time novelist. It looks like her second novel is going to be called Shadows on the Wolverine. Yes, start with cool animal and everything else is downhill. I think I should write one called The Honey-Badger's Midnight Adventure. Maybe he can be a sofisicated animal and have a top-hat. You can't really go wrong.
So, unless you really like reading books in the summer set in the winter, The Snow Child is nothing special. Its kind of like getting a snow cone with sugar-water but no flavoring.
When I think of Alaska I think of maple syrup so if you are going to read this, why not a maple syrup based cocktail? This one is called a Jack Rabbit: 2 oz. apple jack, 1/2 oz maple syrup, 1/2 oz. lime juice, 1/2 oz. lemon juice. Shake with ice and strain. Garnish with an apple wedge.
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