In The Snow Forest: Three Novellas

by Roy Parvin

“Each of the three stories in this book is its own secret masterpiece. . . . Parvin is the real deal.” ―Antonya Nelson Montana, Wyoming, and the Trinity Alps of northern California are the landscapes of these elegant, rough-hewn narratives where people yearn for grace even as their chances are running out. "Roy Parvin has a sense of what people will do when they have reached their particular limits," says Charles Baxter, "and these wonderful tales are like visions." A recently paroled ex-con tries to outrun a violent past. An out-of-work logger finds an unexpected kind of love. And a woman's journey by rail through a western snowscape becomes a bittersweet tale of redemption.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories

196 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Dave Harmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

i came across the story "Betty Hutton" in a short stories compilation. i liked it so much i looked up the authors other stuff. it was this and a short novel. This contains three novellas, the first is Betty Hutton, which was my favorite, but the others were great to. - this is the sort of writing where after you get through you feel like you've been deep in meditation for awhile; a deep calm and serenity.

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is three novellas with themes of loneliness, loss and despair. In the first, a man who feels he belongs nowhere steals his girlfriend’s savings, steals a car and leaves town, heading for Montana, because a prison cellmate told him it was full of possibilities. In the second, a man has to stay in a Northern California logging town, because an injury prevents him from working. He befriends the single mother of a severely disabled child and offers her support and respite, longing himself for someone to care for. In the third story, a wife, abandoned by her husband for a younger woman, goes in search of the place where he eventually committed suicide. All of these stories are beautifully told, with subtle details that make them linger in your mind long after you have put down the book.

[Mitchell Waldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you "discover" a masterpiece of a form -- here, the novella -- and wonder why this isn't more recognized as such, why this isn't read in literature courses generally. That is In the Snow Forest, by Roy Parvin. Each of these novellas is a gem. This is a book that greatly deserves greater recognition, and if you're a fan of great fiction, you need to read this book!

[Erick Mertz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought these were exquisite stories. Roy Parvin writes wonderful internal landscapes, in particular the first story which was riveting, moving stuff.

The novella is an interesting format and if you're exploring it as a writer/reader, Roy Parvin has "the real stuff" in these stories.

[Linda C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roy Parvin has crafted 3 novellas set in the Northwest that look at the inner workings of characters that are at a moment of change. "Betty Hutton" follows an ex-con who is trying to go straight and who has a feeling that there is a special place that will be his perfect spot. He heads cross country to Montana with several interesting events occurring there, that although don't end up being his spot assure him he's on the right path. "In the Snow Forest" tells of a blooming relationship between a loner logger and a deserted woman with a handicapped child. Again the story doesn't end predictably but the main character has a personal revelation that determines his future. In the last story "Menno's Granddaughter" set in 1957, a deserted and divorced woman takes a train from California to a family reunion in the Hudson Valley. She is not looking forward to the reunion with her dysfunctional family. On the way she determines to pass through the town in Wyoming where her late ex-husband and his second wife lived. Lots of reminiscences on the train, a storm and a serious case of the flu end up with her stuck in the town and face to face with the second wife. Again the story is not predictable but the main character comes away with a better understanding of herself. The landscape and the weather play a big part in creating the atmosphere. Very well done

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three novellas: My favorite was the first one called Betty Hutton. It concerned a man trying to get away from his past, and change his life. He drives from the east coast and ends in Montana.
The second is called In the snow forest, a sort of a love story. I also liked this.
The third was Menno's Daughter which was I also enjoyed.

[Gary McDowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helped me write my own novella. It's a great literary form that's rarely published anymore. That's too bad, in my opinion.

[Richard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Introspection is not this writers' best suit--the best moments in this book were when characters were interacting with others, but the segments of solitary introspection dragged.

[John Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book. I always enjoy checking out new authors.

[Jane]

The short story "In the Snow Forest", included in the book by the same title, is a warm insight to a humble mans mind seeking a relationship. I learned how un-complex the makings can be.

[Christine Rocca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasantly surprised. Like his style of writing

[Neena Hanchett · Rating 5 out of 5]

.Three stories about redemption involving ordinary people that have had a rough go of it. I highly recommend it!

[Chris Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Parvin's use of metaphors, and in general, his prose. A book worth reading.