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The Snow Walker

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Classic works by one of North America's greatest storytellers brought back to print in a new paperback series. Inspiration for the major motion picture from Infinity Media and First Look International.

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

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975 people want to read

About the author

Farley Mowat

116 books646 followers
Farley McGill Mowat was a conservationist and one of Canada's most widely-read authors.

Many of his most popular works have been memoirs of his childhood, his war service, and his work as a naturalist. His works have been translated into 52 languages and he has sold more than 14 million books.

Mowat studied biology at the University of Toronto. During a field trip to the Arctic, Mowat became outraged at the plight of the Ihalmiut, a Caribou Inuit band, which he attributed to misunderstanding by whites. His outrage led him to publish his first novel, People of the Deer (1952). This book made Mowat into a literary celebrity and was largely responsible for the shift in the Canadian government's Inuit policy: the government began shipping meat and dry goods to a people they previously denied existed.

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society ship RV Farley Mowat was named in honour of him, and he frequently visited it to assist its mission.

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5 stars
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364 (42%)
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183 (21%)
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15 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
Profile Image for David.
84 reviews3 followers
February 8, 2010
Poignant as ever!

If you're familiar with Mowat's style, you know exactly what to expect. Not to downplay his abilities, or undermine his significance as a writer; Farley Mowat is entirely unique because he is one of a kind.

In this edition of 'The Snow Walker', there are 11 short stories; some longer than others. Out of the 11, the first one entitled 'Snow' is a non-fictional, poetic tribute to snow itself. Without a doubt, this is the greatest, and most appropriately articulated showcase of snow, and its everyday (when it's around) relationship with us, the people.
I read it right at the onset of wintertime; there is no better time to read this story.

'Snow' should be an essential pre-winter reading in schools everywhere, and if it is, I'm glad.

The other 10 stories in 'The Snow Walker' are fictional fable-like tales taking place in the Northwest Territories, and usually consisting of Inuit characters. However, I have still yet to find out whether some of these stories are in fact true or not.

The ultimate story entitled "The Dark Odyssey of Soosie" I believe is actually true. Though, I have yet to prove it. Mowat could not have chosen a more powerful account to end the novel. Essentially 'Soosie' represents the exploitation of the Inuit, particularly in the 50's, and their further incrimination by the Canadian government. These following incidents are an unfortunate byproduct of the Inuit's coerced living conditions combined with decades of lost promises by the Canadian government. Mowat proposes the notion of ridiculousness that a people should be persecuted for an action that was precipitated against them.

Overall, this book offers a fine variety of literature. Predominantly, 'The Snow Walker' offers fictional fables to arouse the reader's thoughts, but they are nonetheless even more exceptional.
I hope that in years to come, Farley Mowat is maintained as part of the Canadian school curriculum, especially 'The Snow Walker'.

9/10
Profile Image for Laura.
33 reviews
February 2, 2019
I loved this book! I haven't read a Farley Mowat book since my youth, when I read Never Cry Wolf and was also reading the likes of Jack London's Call of the Wild and White Fang. All excellent books to be sure but I never revisited the genre of books having to do with the far north and its people and wildlife until now. Mowat's prose is beautiful. He brings the barren world into such focus that you can feel the snow swirling around you. And although I expected this work (1975) to be outdated, it is actually more poignant today than ever. The shameful assumptions and subsequent treatment of Canada's indigenous peoples is as clearly revealed as is their understanding and appreciation of the world around them. This book is a work of incredible insight and understanding that only has gotten more important with the passage of time. Wonderful first book of 2019!
Profile Image for Jim Puskas.
Author 2 books144 followers
January 25, 2024
It strikes me that many of the readers who have commented on this book may have misunderstood Farley Mowat’s intention. Yes, these are stories of astonishing courage and resourcefulness in the face of overwhelming adversity. Of individual heartbreak and family tragedy. Of the amazing feats of Inuit adaptability, the lengths that the peoples of the arctic have gone to survive and even thrive in such harsh conditions. The stoicism of self-sacrifice, willingly going to “The Snow Walker” in order to save the lives of other family members. Yes, all of that is here in these stories and Mowat is among the best of story tellers.
But that’s not the real story Mowat is telling us here. The real story is the devastation that the invasion of their land and culture by Europeans has wrought upon the peoples of the arctic. The “gifts” of the white man: his guns, his economics, his whiskey, his diseases, even his religion. The guns that helped to decimate the herds of caribou that formerly sustained the people. The trader economics that transformed a sustainable hunter economy into a fur trapper economy and then abandoned the trappers to starvation when the fur market disappeared. The whiskey that addled the brains and destroyed the health of one of the hardiest, most competent, most resourceful people on earth. The diseases that wiped out entire communities and left the people dependent on medical care that never arrived in the far-flung settlements. The religion that robbed a people of their spiritual unity with the land and the natural world in favor of a set of foreign rules and restrictions on a lifestyle that had sustained them for many centuries.
No, these are not just stories of heroism; these are angry stories. And reading them feels like a kick in the gut. I applaud them, but for entirely different reasons from those expressed by most readers. Farley Mowat knew exactly what he was about. Regrettably, the damage has been done, the Inuit can never return to the life they formerly led. The best we can hope for is that some belated effort can be made to help the remaining arctic people to salvage some small part of their remarkable heritage.
Profile Image for Peter Tillman.
4,038 reviews476 followers
May 16, 2024
The late Farley Mowat's best book, I think. It's been quite a few years since I last read it, and his reputation for historical accuracy has taken some hits since then -- but for sheer readability, and novelistic quality of historical nonfiction, this one is hard to beat. I wonder if I have a copy? Regardless, likely easier to just check out a library copy than to go on a treasure-hunt in my chaotic personal library -- which has never settled down (or recovered) from deep cuts before our move to coastal Calif 9 years ago, to the only size house we could afford out here. Tiny!

Trigger Warning from another GR reviewer's 3-star: "Certainly not recommended for the faint of heart."
And I see the book is listed at the main page here as "historical fiction." Recommended reading. I don't give out many 5-star ratings. Reread planned.
Profile Image for Terri.
355 reviews17 followers
January 10, 2012
This is a collection of short stories about the Inuit tribe in Northern Canada. First off, let me just say, brrr...! It is amazing to me that anyone could live in such frozen, icy conditions. Second, these are not lovely, light stories. They are full of tragedy and heartache. I certainly feel educated about how people manage to live in the arctic regions. Some of the stories are happier than others, and some are wild, nearly unbelievable tales with fantastic adventures.

I have read two other books by Mowat, both of which I really liked: Never Cry Wolf : Amazing True Story of Life Among Arctic Wolves and Owls in the Family. Generally speaking Mowat is more light-hearted and humorous, though he is serious and passionate about ecology and the environment, which usually makes his works excellent.

Certainly not recommended for the faint of heart.
Profile Image for Owen.
255 reviews29 followers
July 16, 2012
This collection of short stories by the Canadian writer Farley Mowat, is outstanding proof of his versatility. Although many of his best books are almost unplanned, coming to fruition after some sort of initial spontaneous combustion (I'm thinking of "People of the Deer" especially), the fictional elements in "The Snow Walker" indicate a methodical mind capable of forming well crafted prose. All these stories take place in the Arctic, or have to do with it. Many are based on people Mowat met on his travels or heard about from others. They contain the grains of ideas and don't attempt to do more than expand that one notion, as I think short stories should. Hence the stories are focussed and the issue at hand is brought into sharp relief, sometimes in only a few pages. Like a number of Mowat's works, this one has been used in schools for many years, and deservedly so, as it is some of the best Canadian short fiction of its kind (i.e., about the Arctic).
Profile Image for Frank.
471 reviews16 followers
April 6, 2009
This is a great little book of short stories that are based on northern life, especially of natives in the far northern Canada area. He reminds me a little of Jack London in his stories. The book gets its title from one of the short stories which was also used for the movie by the same name. He is a very good story teller and offers very unigue stories. It is a small book and easy reading and well worth your time. But be aware that these are not pretty little stories. It was and still is a very harsh and barren land and his stories tell it as it was and is.
Profile Image for Tania Leis.
13 reviews1 follower
January 25, 2016
The first chapter was excellent descriptive writing a about snow and the arctic land.
The rest of the book gave a glimpse into the lives of the Innuit. The sheer difficulty of living in a land and making everything to exist. But also a peacefulness and fulfillment of life. Really felt a part of each of the stories...

By the last chapter I am ashamed to be a "white person" and of the unforgivable pride and superiority and complete ignorance we showed these strong people of the north and ultimately ended their life and lifestyle.

Very well written.



Profile Image for BlackbirdFrenzy Meagher.
46 reviews1 follower
January 12, 2015
Beautiful story...

"Snow, which on our planet is a phoenix continually born again from its own dissolution, is also a galactic and immortal presence. In the nullity of outer space, clouds of snow crystals, immeasurably vast, drift with time, unchanged since long before our world was born, unchangeable when it will be gone."
Profile Image for RileyV.
99 reviews
November 10, 2015
27th Birthday present from Grandma & Grandpa. Farley Mowat -- writes from the heart of the Arctic. So good. A lifetime keeper.
Profile Image for Heather(Gibby).
1,474 reviews30 followers
March 12, 2025
Another masterful collection of short stories from the fabulous Farley Mowat. Some of these stories are heartbreaking, but many are quite joyous and uplifting. It gives a real appreciation to how the Inuit people survived in Canada's harshest environments.
323 reviews
January 8, 2023
One of Canada’s great storytellers. The last story the most heart wrenching.
92 reviews
February 7, 2021
Great short stories. Gritty as Jack London's 'To Build A Fire,' hosted in the beautiful and cruel arctic domain where life seems a perpetual, tenuous balance. Snow and its innumerable variances, Inuit culture, and the lives of conquestors are equally detailed amid a backdrop of artic wildlife that is as compelling as any of the characters in each story.
213 reviews4 followers
December 2, 2021
Farley Mowat always pulls you into the story so well. You will suffer and be angered as the white man destroys yet another group of indigent people.
Profile Image for Tracy.
1,039 reviews9 followers
March 22, 2024
A collection of short stories by Canadian author Farley Mowat. Tragic, quite melodramatic, sometimes gross (blood-drinking?), and sad. The discussion was made interesting by a group of retired Royal Canadian Mounted Police coming to tell their own stories of life in the frozen North.
Profile Image for Vanda.
245 reviews26 followers
May 2, 2016
Od lyrických povídek opěvujících arktickou přírodu a schopnost lidí žít s ní v souladu, přes neuvěřitelné příběhy, jako ztroskotání inuitského lovce na Vnějších Hebridách či ústní tradicí uchovávané vzpomínky na setkání s vikingskými mořeplavci nebo příběhy prodchnuté animistickou vírou Inuitů, po palčivé problémy soužití moderních bělochů s původními obyvateli arktických oblastí, přičemž se bílí obchodníci na Inuitech často dopouštěli tak podlého bezpráví, až srdce usedá, autor nám svým dílem umožňuje nahlédnout do fascinujícího a mnohdy krutého života na nejzazším severu amerického kontinentu.

Farley Mowat (1921-2014), kanadský zoolog, dobrodruh a spisovatel, zasvětil větší část svého dospělého života studiu severokanadské přírody, vlivu nově sem pronikající civilizace na místní ekologii a následné dopady těchto změn na způsob života domorodých obyvatel arktických oblastí. Ke jeho tvorbě jsem se dostala vlastně prostřednictví filmu The Snow Walker, jenž, jak jsem pozdějí zjistila, vznikl na motivy jedné z jeho krátkých povídek, a který podle mého názoru velice dobře zachycuje ducha Mowatových děl. Nejedná se rozhodně o nějaké dobrodružné příběhy pro mládež, jsou to spíše střípky z mozaiky, které nám dovolují si alespoň vzdáleně představit, jak dokáže být život na dalekém severu drsný a zároveň i radostný a naplňující. Celá sbírka se mi moc líbila a pokud ve vás občas dříme touha se alespoň literárně toulat divokou tundrou, neváhejte a sáhněte po Mowatových povídkách.
Profile Image for Conrad.
444 reviews12 followers
July 3, 2022
Farley had a gift for storytelling and this collection of short stories showcase that gift. With his depth of knowledge about, and deep empathy for the Inuit people, he brings them to life on these pages. It is a fitting tribute and a vivid picture of a way of life that has disappeared in great part. The movie ‘The Snow Walker’ was based on one of these stories, but ironically not the title story. My copy (which I found in a used book store in Toronto) is signed by the author and has a passport sized portrait photo of the author as a young man.
16 reviews1 follower
June 4, 2016
I'm not a fan of short stories. Though I found recounts of Eskimo life interesting it was incredibly difficult to get through some of these stories. I also was not of fan of the order in which they were placed in the book. The last short story was the longest, most tedious and most depressing. I can see the value of this book; however, it almost got added to my "sucked-so-bad-I-couldn't-finish-it" list.
Profile Image for Julie Barrett.
9,196 reviews205 followers
September 16, 2016
The Snow Walker by Farley Mowat
Stories of survival of those who live upper northern tundra.
Such a strong bred of people in that they are able to adapt to the surroundings they are raised in.
Loved hearing of the fifth element and how the people used it everyday.
Snow mansions, I can just imagine a village, all connecting houses, so cool!
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Profile Image for MrsPyramidhead.
66 reviews8 followers
September 7, 2017
Amazing book! Amazing writing! I plan on collecting as much Farley Mowat as I can this book was wonderful! Very visual, interesting stories I would defiantly recommend this book to anyone! I became interested in reading Mowat after seeing the movie The Snow Walker (walk well, my brother is in this book that is the story its based on) I really enjoyed the story the movie stayed very true to it so if you've seen it I recommend you read this I think you'll enjoy it!!!
Profile Image for Philip.
171 reviews1 follower
November 8, 2012
Heart wrenching tales, but, man, Mowat is one of my favourites, for sure. Something about his style feels so honest.
Profile Image for YourLadyFriendBonnie.
193 reviews2 followers
January 29, 2024
This book was full of interesting stories about life in the Arctic. Mowat starts by sharing with the reader the main life values of the Inuit and those that have historically lived in the Canadian arctic, making it feel like he's telling the reader an intimate set of tales after this opening. These stories that he tells are somewhere between fiction and non-fiction, as they're recounts of people and places that actually existed, but not all were told firsthand. He obviously did his research because there were specific details through some of the stories, so these are glimpses of lifestyle, challenges, and beliefs from a range of time (late 1800's-1960's) of Indigenous Arctic peoples in Canada. Some of the stories included details about interactions with white settlers including trading posts, residential schools, forced relocation, dealing with The Hudson Bay Company, RCMP, and Federal Canadian government, and overall surviving life in the cold north. A solid book about Arctic life in Canada - would recommend if you're interested in learning about Canada. 4.5/5
Profile Image for Lester Fisher.
Author 3 books20 followers
April 14, 2022
I don't think is was fiction. I think it was based on stories and reports that Farley Mowat recorded (or else he has a damn good memory right down to the many Inuit words so frequently interjected). It starts with stores related by Inuit people recounting how able the people were at surviving (?), no thriving, under the Arctic conditions. The stories proceed to interactions with individuals of the trading companies which are neither favorable to the white traders or beneficial to the Inuit people. The continuing stories document the negative impact of whites on the Inuit way of life, until the last chapter which chronicles the mid-20th century, most egregious attempt of the Canadian government to remove the indigenous people to the far northern areas of the islands of the North Sea. What begins as a thrilling portrayal of human courage in the face of nature, ends as a disheartening expose of man's cruelty to man.
4,069 reviews84 followers
May 18, 2023
The Snow Walker by Farley Mowat (Bantam Books 1975) (813.54) (3789).

In The Snow Walker, the brilliant naturalist-author Farley Mowat has written a collection of eleven short stories about the Arctic North and the animals and the people who live in the frozen land.

There were two tales in this group that were far and away the best of the lot. The best was “The Blinding of Andre Maloche,” which is a cautionary tale about tradition and superstition among those who live in the liminal area between humans and the spirit world.

The story “The White Canoe” tells of a starving man who miraculously stumbles upon the items he needs to survive hidden under a white canoe. The consequences were quite unexpected - and to this Westerner, unforeseeable.

I purchased a used PB copy in poor condition from McKay’s for $0.75 on 10/1/23.

My rating: 7/10, finished 5/17/23 (3789).

PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

9 reviews
July 19, 2024
Given to me by Mrs. Gray after I finished a test early to read. She allowed me to borrow it and it sat in my backpack until today (April 21st) when I chose to actually finish it. Pretty good so far, but that’s what I expect from Farley Mowat.

Pg. 42.
Mistook sheep for wolves- hilarious

I’m realizing while reading this, especially having gotten to “The Iron Men” that this is a collage of stories about the Inuit from a collection of his works. “The Iron Men” talks about the Vikings and Koonar, which is also in “The Curse of the Viking Grave”.


Pg. 209.

Finished the book, and the last story was kind of depressing. Since the book was a collection of novella and not an actual story it isn’t as high as the other ones, and I’m not sure Farley Mowat’s writing lends itself to novella unless it’s within the context of a wider story.
Profile Image for Colin.
212 reviews
October 5, 2019
I have read a few of Farley Mowat’s books and always enjoyed them but it had been a long time. Recently I found myself staring at a yellowed copy of Snow Walker as I cleared out some old boxes. So I jumped in always happy to explore the arctic regions from the warmth of my living room. I was quickly reminded of the stark beauty of the arctic and the indomitable spirit of the indigenous people who live there. However, I also quickly realized that Mowat while telling a remarkable story is borrowing the story from others. While the reading is compelling and pulls you into combination of uplifting and tragic tales I hope that some part of proceeds from the many books sold went back to benefit to those whom the stories truly belonged.
Profile Image for Kurt Vosper.
1,184 reviews12 followers
September 28, 2018
It has been awhile since I had read any Mowat. I picked this up at my favourite used book store as it was one I had always wanted to read. In light of all the issues in Canada at the moment surrounding our indigenous people and the treatment of them, it was certainly timely. In a series of short stories that he was told from The People themselves Mowat tries to capture the spirit of a diminished people, the way they lived, the disaster that was the arrival of the white man and in the end the destruction caused by religion and government to a proud people. It was a great read, very moving at points. Give it a shot.
Profile Image for Rex Libris.
1,333 reviews3 followers
February 22, 2020
In Farley Mowat I have found another candidate for my list of best/favorite authors. He writes about Eskimos, Inuits, and other peoples of the northernmost portions of North America. His stories pull you in and you literally cannot put the book down until you finish. As this book is a series of short stories, there are convenient breaks where you can put the down.

The one caveat is Mowat's stories do not always have happy endings or relate happy events. Life in the far north is a constant struggle for survival, and struggle made even more difficult when the delicate balance of life was upset by the encroachment of white men to the region and the economy.
Profile Image for Elgin M Loney.
9 reviews7 followers
April 6, 2021
This is a haunting collection of short stories by whom many call "Canada's master storyteller", and a fine job of it he does. In his crisp, avuncular style, Farley Mowat spins tales from our far North with gripping suspense. One that stands out is about an Inuit man trapped on an ice floe who eventually washes ashore on a remote Scottish island, barely alive. That his life is spared at the last moment by a passing crofter speaks to the mercy and grace he was to discover in his new world. It is far more than a legend about survival.

I would recommend this book for a wintry night by the fire. It is far too good to read on the beach.
Profile Image for M.
250 reviews
October 21, 2021
*4.5 stars

"It is the the gentility of utter silence in the muffled hearts of a snow-clad forest"
From the Snow short story which is some of the most beautiful prose I've ever read. That story in particular should hit home for any northerner and serve as reminder of the beauty of our winter havens.

What beautiful, imagery of harsh circumstances. I loved everything about this book. Gives one an appreciation for how easy we have it in our modern world and epitomizes the struggles of the North before modernity took hold.

Highly recommended for any age, any reading level, any schedule.

Happy Reading!
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