In the Autumn of 1931, eighteen-year-old Freya Trevelyan runs away from her home in Cornwall to follow her dream of becoming an actress. When she is invited to join a theatrical company about to head out on tour, Freya thinks the path to success is clear, and, amidst all the glamour and bustle of stage life, she finds - for the first time - a place to belong. But can reality ever live up to her expectations? What if her life - and falling in love - turn out to be nothing like she planned? An enchanting coming of age romance about following your dreams - even when they aren't quite what you expected.
Praise for A SKY PAINTED GOLD:
'The perfect comfort read' Ella Risbridger
'Pure escapism ... a wildly romantic, delicious indulgence' OBSERVER
'A brilliant, beautiful book' Louise O'Neill
'Perfect for glamour-soaked summer escapism' MAIL ON SUNDAY
Laura Wood is the winner of the Montegrappa Scholastic Prize for New Children's Writing and the author of the 'Poppy Pym' and 'Vote for Effie' middle-grade series and YA novels, A Sky Painted Gold and Under a Dancing Star.
She loves Georgette Heyer novels, Fred Astaire films, travelling to far flung places, recipe books, Jilly Cooper, poetry, cosy woollen jumpers, Edith Nesbit, crisp autumn leaves, Jack Gilbert, new stationery, sensation fiction, salted caramel, feminism, Rufus Sewell's cheek-bones, dogs, and drinking lashings of ginger beer.
All of Laura's historical novels feel like the perfect chocolate-wrapped comfort read, and I'm saving this for a rainy day when I need something to make me feel like the world is a better place.
Another stunning read from Laura Wood - her writing never ceases to blow me away, beautiful, captivating and honest. This book talks about mental health, diversity in theatre, race representation in theatre and dreams/goals.
Laura Wood always has a key theme running through her novels, A Snowfall of Silver’s was all about following your dream and working out what exactly that dream is. This book left me feeling inspired to really work towards a life where I am following in Freya’s footsteps of jumping on opportunities and living the best version of my life. This is what I love most about Laura’s books, they leave me wanting to be a better person.
The atmosphere Laura creates in this book is beautiful, snowy landscapes, Abbey ruins, cosy moments and fun and bustling parties. There is such a range, which makes this book feel so fast and compelling, whilst really stripping the story down to this one character’s journey. I could just keep reading Laura Wood books on repeat, she is a truly stunning writer.
"It’s early evening and it’s starting to get dark now. The lights strung above us in a looping zigzag shine white against a royal blue sky. We’re walking further into a residential bit of the city, and the windows in the tall houses glow, warm and welcoming. Some contain glimpses of decorated trees, of brightly coloured paper chains, and jewel-like glass ornaments. [...] "It’s snowing again," I murmur, dazed. Flat flakes drift in drowsy curlicues to settle in Kit’s hair, on his dark wool coat, to melt against my warm cheeks. In the early evening light, the world around us is fairy-touched, shining silver." — Laura Wood, 'A Snowfall of Silver'
¡Qué absoluta delicia de lectura! ¿Os acordáis cuando os confesé que al terminar ciertos libros, no podía evitar abrazarlos? Bien, pues he vuelto a hacerlo con 'A Snowfall of Silver'...¿cómo no hacerlo? Este es uno de esos libros que empiezas y terminas con una pequeña sonrisa en los labios. Porque lo que lees es tierno, divertido, romántico y está envuelto en una atmósfera que lo hace mágico.
No quiero daros muchos detalles de la trama, porque merece la pena que descubráis a ciegas a cada uno de los personajes, cada una de las preciosas escenas. Os pondré solo en situación...Veréis, esta es la historia de Freya, una joven de un pueblecito de Cornualles, que huye de casa en pos de cumplir su sueño. Cuando la conocemos, en el otoño de 1931, va subida en un tren con destino a Londres, disfrazada de muchacho y dispuesta a convertirse en una aclamada actriz. Es en ese tren donde Freya cruza su camino con Kit, un joven aspirante a dramaturgo que está a punto de embarcarse en un tour con la compañía de teatro en la que trabaja. Una oportunidad se abrirá entonces para Freya y, por supuesto, no va a dejarla escapar...
Muchas de las críticas que he leído sobre 'A Snowfall of Silver' dicen de él que es como beber un buen tazón de chocolate caliente en una noche de invierno. Un libro cálido plagado de personajes inolvidables, encabezados por una encantadora protagonista. Y todo eso es cierto. Os prometo que no podía haber encontrado una mejor novela para acompañarme en estos fríos días de diciembre, con la Navidad a la vuelta de la esquina.
Laura Wood me enamoró con su primera novela ambientada en verano, 'A Sky Painted Gold', pero con esta, con este delicioso relato invernal me ha conquistado completamente. Un nuevo coup de cœur que estoy convencida voy a seguir releyendo durante muchos inviernos. ❄️
I enjoyed this even more than ‘A Sky Painted Gold’! It has so many Noel Streatfeild vibes with the theater tour and the actor types with their drama on and off the stage. It was so fun that the play the company performs on tour is The Importance of Being Earnest, and now I want to read/watch it again. I love Freya as a character and her coming-of-age arc is so fun to follow along with, including a surprisingly poignant section towards the end. Kit is more my kind of hero than Robert too. I liked him so much. I especially love the scene up north on the coast when they’re snowed in and stay at an old and beautiful theatre. Nora, Alma, and Viola are great characters too. I’ll definitely re-read and will be looking out for my own copy.
If you loved A SKY PAINTED GOLD, then Laura Wood's spin-off novel will not disappoint. I adored it. It perfectly captured the thrill of leaving home to pursue a dream, the joy of creative collaboration and the excitement of first love. A deeply thoughtful, warm and comforting read.
What an absolute delight!! I truly loved this book. It was magical, beautiful, romantic and fun. It tells the story of Freya, who was a side character in Wood’s other novel, A Sky Painted Gold.
Freya runs away from home to London to stay with her sister and start her career as an actress. When on the train to London, she meets Kit, a young aspiring play writer who works for a theatre company who are about to go on tour with ‘The importance of being Earnest’. This is a stroke of luck and helps Freya on her way.
The story was so lovely and the characters were great. I was swept away into the 1930s with this novel and the theatre world. It was absolutely brilliant and I loved it so much. I can’t wait for Laura Wood to release more YA historical romances!!
This is the bookish equivalent of a mug of hot chocolate, and I'm not exaggerating when I say it's one of the highpoints of my year! I know comparisons aren't always helpful but honestly if you like Eva Ibbotson romances, Noel Streatfeild and I Capture the Castle, this is a pretty safe bet.
It is possible the pantaloons were a mistake.
How can you not love a book with an opening line like that!? It's warm and sweet and funny, with a delightful romance, although that element is more of a subplot to the main storyline of finding your place in the world.
Warning: this book will make you furious that you've never had a costumed dinner party while snowed in at a beautiful regional theatre. Unless you HAVE done that, and then I'm furious at you too!
A Snowfall of Silver is a whimsical escape into the world of 1930s theater, wrapped in a light dusting of romance and self-discovery. Freya Trevelyan’s journey from her quiet Cornish home to the dazzling life of a touring theatrical company is brimming with charm, ambition, and the bittersweet realities of growing up. Freya is an endearing protagonist with stars in her eyes and a head full of dreams, and her adventure captures both the enchantment and the challenges of chasing creative passions. The romance is sweet and understated, blossoming naturally amidst the bustle of stage life. The writing is warm and atmospheric and Freya’s earnestness makes it impossible not to root for her. This is a delightful coming-of-age story perfect for fans of gentle historical romance and the magic of finding where you truly belong
I want to give this book 3.5 stars with the sidenote that it was fine and lovely for a 12-15 year old audience but a little immature for readers that are on the more adult side of YA (The main character is 18, but i simply couldnt imagine her older than 14)
For this reason I was a kind of disapppinted with it, especially after seeing all the 5 star reviews. That said, the book did win my heart at the end, even if only because I share Freya's passionate love for theatre.
All in all, the book mostly reminded me of the fanfictions I would write when I was fourteen. The writing was very on the nose, the plotline very predictable and everything went way too smoothly for the main character.
The romance and 30s slang (lots of "oh this is most wonderful!" And "im in an absolute muddle!") were very twee. (The fact that it was set in the 30s also didnt really seem to have any other effect on the story or characters or aesthetic of the book... but maybe it played a bigger role in A Sky Painted Gold)
However, I always did enjoy those daydream fantasies and this book saves you the trouble of thinking of one yourself 😄
It's also more of a spin-off than a sequel, so dont worry about not having read A Sky Painted Gold first!
A lovely romantic read for teens or young adults who miss uncomplicated romance books or who love theatre, about chasing your dreams and finding they might not be what you expected
I don't drink coffee but this reminded me of one of those frothy drinks other people order at Starbucks. It was fun, romantic, and full of interesting characters, although there was a little too much telegraphing of what was going to happen. Bonus, Freya is the younger sister of the heroine in A Sky Painted Gold.
AMAZING like all of Laura's books! Hands down one of my favourite authors.
A Snowfall of Silver is companion books/sequel to A Sky Painted Gold. This book was magical. It's about Freya who comes to London from Cornwall in 1931 to become and actress.
She meets a boy who is a stage hand and he helps her get a job as an assistant to a seamstress in a production. It's so much fun and I loved all the characters.
I shed tears of joy at the end because it was just such a feel good story!
I'm also so sad I read this as soon as I could get my hands on a copy because now I have to wait so long for a new book by Laura!
Wood writes charming YA romances that feel like what Noel Streatfeild might write for older teenagers if she was alive today.
If you prefer actual vintage novels, you probably will not like the subtle ways that Wood modernises some attitudes (especially towards sexual ethics, especially with side characters).
However, the POV character is always encountering first love and there is no spice here, so there’s an innocence and hopefulness I really enjoyed. Plus the heroine’s supportive vicarage family and all of the Oscar Wilde play content is top notch.
This is a great read for those who want their vintage style romance without any problematic content for today’s readers.
After reading Under a Dancing Star, Wood immediately became my go-to comfort reads author, and her most recent novel did not disappoint. Set in 1931, we follow Freya as she runs away from her Cornish home to become an actress, touring the UK with a small theatre company. It’s the perfect, snowy, winter read.
Wood captures the wonder of the world seen through eighteen-year-old eyes, and in so doing, re-opens my own to the beauty of the world around me. Things like her description of the excitement and majesty of London, make me realise I’ve lost touch with that total awe I felt when I first saw the city… Familiarity breeds contempt, but it doesn’t have to, and books like this are the perfect antidote for a diminishing sense of wonder.
Having been something of a theatre kid myself, I also adored all the descriptions of adrenaline-fuelled show life. The way the air tastes backstage; the magic of watching from the wings; the post-performance elation; the exhaustion; the closeness of the friendships created in such a bubble, and also the strain it has on relationships! Reading this during the pandemic made me ache for the way life was in the days where a celebratory pint in a bustling pub was the norm, where playing sardines at a party was an acceptable way to spend an evening…(!)
Big love to Laura Wood too, for showcasing so many UK cities that are not London. It made me very happy when my respective hometown and university cities, Nottingham and Durham, were part of the tour.
The only real reason it wasn’t a 5-star read for me was that I sometimes found the protagonist a bit annoying, and I wasn’t 100% sure how I felt about the ending. But honestly, I read this whole thing on a long-haul, overnight flight during which I got a progressively worsening migraine. And I still remember the journey fondly because of this book.
Edit: June 2021 I'm upping this to a rounded up 4.5 stars because every time I think about this book (which is still quite a lot) I feel warm and happy and in love with life. I may have read it at the very beginning of 2021 but it's been bringing me joy ever since!
На що ви готові піти заради мрії? Змогли б відмовитися від звичайного життя? Чи втекти від родини? Чи, можливо, змогли б вистояти, коли всі наполягають, щоб ти здався?
А ось Фрея ладна на все заради омріяної мрії - стати акторкою. Вона смілива, відважна та принципова, адже стільки стоїть на кону. Вона вчить, що ніколи не можна відмовлятись від своїх мрій і варто вірити в свої сили.
Атмосфера театру заворожує так, що хочеться опинитися в епіцентрі подій. І як же без кохання, воно тут чудове!
Зимових історій мало не буває. Як тільки я побачила цю книгу захотілося її прочитати, а після анотації вирішила не витрачати час і братися за неї.
Історія, яка відправляє нас у Лондон, де вісімнадцятирічна Фрея тікає з дому. Вона слідує до своєї мрії — стати акторкою театру. І направляючись до мрії, вона знайомиться у потязі і влаштовуються до трупи, яка вирушає у турне. Попереду декілька тижнів турне з п'єсою О. Вайлда, але не на роль акторки, а помічниці костюмерки. Чи здійснить це турне мрію Фреї? Або ж це турне подарує щось інше?
✨«Жахливо, коли в тебе є мрія, але немає можливості займатися тим, чого ти прагнеш понад усе.»
Мені дуже сподобалася Фрея. Я так переживала і вболівала за неї, що було враження ніби ми знайомі. Так хотілося, щоб вона здійснила свою мрію і була щаслива. І мені сподобалося, як авторка вибудувала любовну лінію. Це просто так щиро, чуттєво і прекрасно було, що залишились тільки теплі емоції.
🎭«Кохання немає бути суцільним громом з блискавицями й співом ангелів…»
Я повністю розчинилась у цій чарівні історії. Зимова і театральна атмосфера прекрасно передається авторкою. Вона змогла показати кожного персонажа, всю історію так, що я відчула себе частиною цієї театральної трупи. Усі ці постановки, закулісні інтриги, гастролі, гримерки і вінтажні сукні роблять історію цікавою і змінює життя Фреї.
Прекрасна…ні, дивовижна історія. Сюжет цікавий, але атмосфера книги підкорює. Це було емоційно, сильно, цікаво і вражаюче.
Я люблю такі книги: зимові, теплі, прекрасні. Дуже гарна історія, яку хочеться перечитати знову. І видання таке прекрасне😍
This book was beautiful and dreamy in the way all of Laura Wood’s books are. I loved the atmosphere, and I fell in love with Freya.
I bought this book not knowing it would be connected to A Sky Painted Gold which was a wonderful surprise! I adore Laura Wood’s books, I will read anything she writes, and when I saw that gorgeous cover, I bought it in a moment! (Seriously go read her other two books, her Much Ado retelling is one of my all time favorite books).
As an actress myself, this book was so beautiful to read, especially while I can’t do the thing I love. I adored the bright bed large characters, the relationships, and sheer love of art that shines through the book.
Freya is such a bubbly, joyful main character and seeing Lou and Robert again was lovely. I can’t gush enough over this book, so please go purchase a copy for yourself to fall in love with as well.
ITS LAURA WOOD. OF COURSE ITS PERFECTION. why aren’t THESE books blowing up?? so so underrated!! beautiful writing as always, my wrist hurts from highlighting so many paragraphs! i wish so badly i could write like Laura wood. her books make me feel so much joy. the food descriptions, the setting descriptions, the characters are to die for!! freya and kit are perfect for each other! loved every single second of reading this book, can’t find another just like it. ✨🤍
A snowfall of silver is a coming of age story which follows Freya, an 18 year old obsessed with all things theatre, in London 1931. She is lucky enough to go on tour with a theatre company, but discovers it is not as dreamlike as she had hoped.
Wood paints an amazing world in her book, but I didn't really fall in love with any of the characters. I found Freya annoying and ultimately the storyline was quite dull and slow.
This was so incredibly charming and atmospheric and I loved every second of it! I mostly read this with a cup of tea and a blanket and I feel like that is the only way to read this book. It was so cozy, and the descriptions of food and nature were absolutely gorgeous! And being a theater kid myself, I related quite a bit to Freya and all her ambitions and disappointments that come with being in theater! So charming so lovely, I want to read everything by Laura wood now!
5* ya historical fiction! I just honestly want everyone to experience Laura’s books and writing! They’re such beautiful and heartfelt coming of age stories, with gorgeously romantic storylines and pure escapism descriptions which transport you to another time and place. They’re pure sinking into a bubble bath at the end of a long day comfort reads! To bring the 1920s and 30s to life like this is a true talent and this book is absolutely brilliant! A Snowfall Of Silver is a companion to A Sky Painted Gold which featured Freya’s sister, Lou, but it can be read as a stand-alone. I fully recommend reading both, as well as Under A Dancing Star!
Though I enjoyed parts of the book, Freya came across as a Mary Sue at times. There were parts I enjoyed but having two men infatuated with her was too much. It was interesting that Viola has bipolar disorder/cyclothymia but Freya's behaviour after she realised acting wasn't for her aggravated me and it made me struggle with the last few chapters. I am also annoyed at the fact it took Kit kissing her and her reminiscing to realise what she wanted to do instead. I would have preferred her just putting on the dress Nora made for her and visiting the theatre was what made her realise what she wanted to do. Very annoying it took a man to help her realise that.
I would like to say that the typo that was missed by the editors about Nora having "a blunt fridge cut across her forehead" was one of the few things that made me laugh while reading this book. Unfortunately, not much else did.
I am going to donate this book to a charity shop as I just know I will not read it again and so there's no point in keeping it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Comment bien finir l’année … 🌹❄️✨ Jamais déçue par Laura Wood. Au même titre que Sous un Ciel d’Or, Sous des Flocons d’Argent est redirigé avec une plume si douce, si simple et en même temps si recherchée que l’on s’y perd avec une grande facilité ! Un livre à lire absolument ! En privilégiant de le faire sous les flocons d’argent … ! 😉
Добра-добра книжка про молоду дівчину, яка шукає себе в великому світі, мріє і любить, вірить і шукає правди. Дуже атмосферне, зимове і святкове читання. Викликало відчуття наближення чарівної пори канікул і тепла їжі на плиті, хоч в книжці ні про канікули, ні про готування їжі не йшлося навіть близько. Я рада мати її вдома, бо вона, схоже, з тих книжок, які можуть витягати з читацьких криз і рятувати від браку світла в кінцях тунелів.
«Моя карʼєра розпочинається з акту непокори — з того, як я взяла долю у власні руки, залишивши провінційне життя в крихітному селі казна-де, і найтемнішої ночі відчайдушно втекла назустріч невідомому...» ⠀ Не зважайте на те, що книга в назві має слово «снігопад», ще із синьою обкладинкою, яка натякає на холод. Ця книга, немов теплі обійми чи ковдра, під яку хочеться заховатися зимового вечора. Власне, що я і зробила. Це було добре, затишне читання. Ніби я була вдома. ⠀ Якщо коротко - я в захваті від книжки. Мені дуже сподобалась вона. Якщо не коротко, читайте далі ⬇️ ⠀ «Срібний снігопад» - це історія про 18-річну Фрею, яка в пошуках слави та пригод, тікає з дому до Лондону. Вона мріє бути акторкою! Дорогою дівчина знайомиться з Кітом, який, виявляється, працює в театрі. Він знайомить її з режисером, а там їй вже пропонують роботу асистентки з костюмів. Не те, про що мріяла Фрея, але ж це робота у театрі, з акторами, та ще й є можливість поїхати в турне з трупою! Фрея погоджується, навіть не здогадуючись, до чого це призведе. ⠀ Ця книга дуже тепла, попри те, що події як раз відбуваються взимку! Мабуть, це все завдяки головній героїні Фреї та її «дратівливій життєрадісності». Вона справді чарівна, дуже щира й допитлива, трішки наївна, але з великим серце. Мені ця персонажка дуже сподобалась, і якось навіть нагадала Енн із Зелених дахів. Інші персонажі в книзі розкриті не так добре, ми дізнаємось про них лише якісь крупинки, але для мене це було не так і важливо, оскільки історія саме про Фрею та про її прагнення йти за своєю метою. ⠀ Крім цього, в книзі багато йдеться про театр та про акторство, авторка розповідає про це дуже гармонійно та цікаво. Здається, я дізналась дуже багато класного про цю роботу. І це було атмосферно. Є тут також любовна лінія, але вона не навʼязлива й відходить на другий план, але дуже ніжна. ⠀ Загалом книжка порушує важливі питання: як знайти себе та зрозуміти, чим ти хочеш займатися по життю; що робити, якщо твоя мрія помирає? ⠀ Книга написана дуже класно, мені сподобався стиль. Текст ніби ллється, читати дуже приємно! Хоча сам сюжет взагалі не динамічний і немає якихось непередбачуваних подій, попри це відірватися важко, думаю, знову ж таки це все через харизматичну героїню. Мені сподобались також діалоги та загалом спілкування між героями. ⠀ А ще в книги таке гарне оформлення: ця обкладинка, текст на якій переливається на світлі та дуже якісний папір (здається, матовий?)
Приємний на смак роман, як імбирний пряник. Не надто солодкий, не надто мʼякий, що залишає лише приємне враження та посмак. Сюжет доволі простий, з одного боку, проте не перенавантажений стандартними YA кліше, з іншого. Рекомендую читати тихого зимового вечора та отримати задоволення від процесу.