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A novel that deals with heavier subjects yet is still brilliantly captivating, “A Snow Child" by Eowyn Ivey is undoubtedly one of the finest pieces of literature I've read.

The novel takes place in Alaska, 1920, centering on a childless couple, Jack and Mabel. As they move to this new, freezing place, they're drifting apart, bogged down by loneliness and busy work. In the first snowfall, they built together a child out of snow, and, as if in response to their desperation, an actual young girl appears when they find the snow child gone. The little girl calls herself Faina, and she hunts in the forest with a red fox by her side, somehow surviving the Alaskan climate and wilderness. Jack and Mabel slowly come to understand her and even love her as their own daughter. However, Faina is more than just a normal child, and her secrets will change them all.

This novel is a slow read because of its language and depth. It has beautiful, descriptive sentences that are very down-to-earth. Glimpses into a character's mind are mixed in with their action, and I loved this because it keeps my attention on the page. I especially like how the author uses long and short sentences to convey the emotional side of the characters.

“Mable was too long at the window. The raven had since flown away above the treetops. The sun had slipped behind a mountain, and the light had fallen flat” (Ivey, 4).

“At night when Jack closed his eyes to sleep, tree branches and gamet rails and snowy cliffs were imprinted on his eyelids so that sleep merged with his long days spent hunting" (Ivey, 59).

The book deals with quite heavy topics: loss of a child and depression. Coupled in with the cold setting in Alaska, and I can see that this novel's theme and tone are quite grim. However, I feel that the writing never lingers too much in the gloomy side: it touches on many dark thoughts and action, but then continues on with the day. The loss of Mabel and Jack's child is a constant reminder to them everyday, but life goes on.

Another brilliant aspect of the book is how the main characters deal with abruptly moving to a bitterly cold setting. They have settled down but still haven't got that casual familiarity to the cold like the locals. Jack goes out hunting but needs the help of other people, and Mabel pays attention to the fire and windows. The little details in the book serve to make it more realistic:

“She took off her coat and went to the woodstove, letting the heat sink painfully into her hands and feet" (Ivey, 9).

“He slapped himself on the arms and stomped his feet to get the blood flowing" (Ivey, 12).

I tried out this book partially because I saw that it's a Pulitzer Prize Finalist. I can see why it would be one, but despite all its strength, the book doesn't quite click with me. I think it's mainly because I can't relate to Mabel and Jack, who are adults with problems that I've never thought about and thus, doesn't care about. I think that when I grow up, I'll be able to appreciate this book more, but right now, I can't. Despite that, I admit that this novel is fascinating in its own way. The plot is simple and linear, but the character's emotional reaction to each event is heart-rending and yet pleasant at the same time. The writing is amazing too, although I feel like it's too long. The ending is bittersweet: there is happiness and there is loss. By the end, the main and side characters have definitely changed in a good way.

8/10. I would recommend this book for more emotionally mature people and those who like character-driven stories. Nonetheless, I think that everyone should give this book a try just to see another deeper aspect of the human minds.

Check out The Snow Child at the Newport Beach Public Library.