Paperback
English language
Published Jan. 5, 2012 by Little, Brown and Company.
Wow, what a mysterious, magical, poignant, stunning novel. Set in 1920s Alaska. Themes of grief, nature/the elements, found family, connecting with others while still respecting their autonomy, and community. A 5-star read for me.
While I loved the natural setting of this book and the tie-in to the Russian fairy tale, this book was mostly about the characters, who all left me cold. Mabel and Jack's desperation to possess Faina--and foist their morality upon her-- without any regard to her nature struck me as selfish and overbearing; Faina herself was less mysterious than underdeveloped and two-dimensional, her paper-thin presence more irksome than intriguing. Magical realism doesn't always work for me, and this was a case where it just wasn't my cup of tea. Rounding up from 2.5.
While I loved the natural setting of this book and the tie-in to the Russian fairy tale, this book was mostly about the characters, who all left me cold. Mabel and Jack's desperation to possess Faina--and foist their morality upon her-- without any regard to her nature struck me as selfish and overbearing; Faina herself was less mysterious than underdeveloped and two-dimensional, her paper-thin presence more irksome than intriguing. Magical realism doesn't always work for me, and this was a case where it just wasn't my cup of tea. Rounding up from 2.5.
