Eowyn Ivey's The Snow Child is widely praised for its lyrical prose and evocative depiction of the Alaskan wilderness. Readers appreciate the enchanting fairy tale elements woven into a tale of grief and hope. However, some find the pacing uneven and elements of the plot predictable. Overall, it is celebrated as a magical and heartfelt debut.

Fans of richly atmospheric and emotionally resonant stories will enjoy Eowyn Ivey's The Snow Child. Similar to books like The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern and The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden, it captivates readers drawn to magical realism, folklore, and the deep emotional landscapes of its characters.

In 1920s Alaska, a childless couple, Jack and Mabel, struggling with grief, build a snow child during the first snowfall. They are mystified when the snow child disappears, and they begin to see a mysterious girl, Faina, who visits them in winter but returns to the woods each spring. Over time, Faina's presence helps them heal, despite her ultimate disappearance. Sensitive topics include stillbirth and grief.

Mysterious / Melancholic / Bittersweet / Fantastical / Contemplative

Eowyn Ivey

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Snow Child reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Snow Child | SuperSummary

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Overview

Get ready to explore The Snow Child and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Snow Child Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1, Chapters 1-3

The Snow Child Part 1, Chapters 1-3 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 4-10

The Snow Child Part 1, Chapters 4-10 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 11-13

The Snow Child Part 1, Chapters 11-13 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 14-20

The Snow Child Part 2, Chapters 14-20 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 21-27

The Snow Child Part 2, Chapters 21-27 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 28-35

The Snow Child Part 2, Chapters 28-35 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 36-44

The Snow Child Part 3, Chapters 36-44 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 45-52

The Snow Child Part 3, Chapters 45-52 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 53-54

The Snow Child Part 3, Chapters 53-54 Summary & Analysis

Epilogue

The Snow Child Epilogue Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

The Snow Child Character Analysis

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Themes

The Snow Child Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Snow Child Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

The Snow Child Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

The Snow Child Essay Topics

The Snow Child

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Snow Child?

Reading Age

Book Details