Mumbai does not really have a winter to boast about. And yet, the hush in the air and the gentle nip in the early hours of a December morning felt like the perfect backdrop to return to Snow Fairy, which was the perfect accompaniment with its snow-laden setting, cozy interiors, and heartwarming story.
When Akihito Narumi, the legendary wildlife photographer from Tokyo gets stranded in rural Hokkaido during the height of winter, Haruki Homura, a quiet and reclusive resident comes to his rescue. He tells Aki to stay in his house till the harsh winter lets up and the grateful city boy agrees. As Aki gets used to the slower but more attuned pace of bucolic life, he understands why orphaned Haru, despite living alone, is truly one with his hometown. As the two starkly different personalities start co-habiting, sharing mundane tasks, savouring the magic of being behind the camera lens or the subject of a loving lens, and spending quiet moments of growing awareness between themselves, they realize how essential they are to each other without having to change their core personalities.
Snow Fairy is exquisitely illustrated. You can feel the hush of snowbound intimacy, the bite in the freezing air, the indefinable smell of freshly fallen snow, the warmth of sharing a hot fry-up on a chilly morning, the silken smoothness of Haru’s never-dyed, jet-black hair, and the soft heat radiating from the blush on the world-weary Aki’s cheeks whenever he is around Haru.
The story is slow-paced, wholesome, and mature, wherein both the leads respect each other’s boundaries and despite the best of intentions, don’t try to impose their world views on each other. A smattering of supporting characters enhances the plot without being intrusive.
It was a truly satisfying read.