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The Snow Song
Women imprisoned by superstition, chained by guilt.
Perched on a mountain in a land of ancient forests is a village, rife with secrets. Cut off from the outside world it is run by the elders, men to whom tradition is all.
Edith lives alone with her alcoholic father who is forcing her to marry the village butcher. But she is in love with a shepherd who promised to return to her.
As the village becomes isolated in a sea of snow, Edith loses her power of speech. And it is this enchantment that will have far-reaching consequences, not only for Edith but for the whole village.
Perched on a mountain in a land of ancient forests is a village, rife with secrets. Cut off from the outside world it is run by the elders, men to whom tradition is all.
Edith lives alone with her alcoholic father who is forcing her to marry the village butcher. But she is in love with a shepherd who promised to return to her.
As the village becomes isolated in a sea of snow, Edith loses her power of speech. And it is this enchantment that will have far-reaching consequences, not only for Edith but for the whole village.
304 pages, Paperback
First published November 12, 2020
124 people are currently reading
2089 people want to read
About the author
Sally Gardner
115 books629 followersAKA Wray Delaney
Sally Gardner grew up and still lives in London. Being dyslexic, she did not learn to read or write until she was fourteen and had been thrown out of several schools, labeled unteachable, and sent to a school for maladjusted children. Despite this, she gained a degree with highest honors at a leading London art college, followed by a scholarship to a theater school, and then went on to become a very successful costume designer, working on some notable productions.
After the births of twin daughters and a son, she started first to illustrate and then to write picture books and chapter books, usually with fairytale- or otherwise magical subject matter. She has been called 'an idiosyncratic genius' by London’s Sunday Times.
Sally Gardner grew up and still lives in London. Being dyslexic, she did not learn to read or write until she was fourteen and had been thrown out of several schools, labeled unteachable, and sent to a school for maladjusted children. Despite this, she gained a degree with highest honors at a leading London art college, followed by a scholarship to a theater school, and then went on to become a very successful costume designer, working on some notable productions.
After the births of twin daughters and a son, she started first to illustrate and then to write picture books and chapter books, usually with fairytale- or otherwise magical subject matter. She has been called 'an idiosyncratic genius' by London’s Sunday Times.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 288 reviews
February 1, 2021
This book might be qualified as feminist, but it's not the case.
The Snow Song is not the story of Edith, it is the story of every woman who's ever walked this earth. Women who've been forced against their will, brainwashed, underestimated, reduced to silence just because they were women.
Edith fell in love with Demetrius, as every woman would fall in love with a man, a goal or life. But the moment she was denied that love, she lost her words, her silence then became her strength and the vicious cycle was broken.
Through blood, grief, heartbreak and tears, the village was relieved from its evil and its women's lives started the moment we thought they shattered.
Told and written in a very compelling way, with a dark folklore background and breathtaking descriptions, this book is certainly one of my 2021 favourites.
The Snow Song is not the story of Edith, it is the story of every woman who's ever walked this earth. Women who've been forced against their will, brainwashed, underestimated, reduced to silence just because they were women.
Edith fell in love with Demetrius, as every woman would fall in love with a man, a goal or life. But the moment she was denied that love, she lost her words, her silence then became her strength and the vicious cycle was broken.
Through blood, grief, heartbreak and tears, the village was relieved from its evil and its women's lives started the moment we thought they shattered.
Told and written in a very compelling way, with a dark folklore background and breathtaking descriptions, this book is certainly one of my 2021 favourites.
January 18, 2021
An absolutely stunning read, I was completely hooked reading this. It’s a heartbreaking feminist fairytale, it’s beautiful in its imagery, it’s metaphor for Edith’s silence representing the lack of voice women and she had in her life, the fact that she was able to provide so,some who listened to the other women in the village, who are all equally repressed by the elders and men in the village. A wonderful tale of love, magic and the power of women , sadly this fairytale and themes are still present throughout the world and western society. This is an uplifting read despite its themes, one that leaves you changed from reading it. An hauntingly beautiful read.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
December 17, 2020
I received this book on audiobook from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
In a sheltered village, the Cabinet Maker's daughter Edith meets a shepherd and instantly falls in love. The two vow to be wed but Edith's father has promised her to The Butcher - an evil man who rules the village in fear. Edith promises that she will marry The Butcher if her shepherd does not return by the time of the first snow. What happens next takes away Edith's voice, but starts to change everything for the village, and in particular its womenfolk.
This book very much feels like a feminist fairytale in a way - not in the actions of the characters in particular but more so the overall message of the story. There were some parts of the story that were really beautifully told, and I did really like some of the imagery of the snow-covered village. I also enjoyed a lot of the storytelling aspects of the tale.
I don't really have anything particularly critical to say about the book other than I think it just wasn't one for me. I didn't really gel with the story, and by 3/4 of the way through I was just really wanting it to be over. I found the story mostly sad overall, and it was a bit depressing continuously hearing all the ways The Butcher had wrecked the lives of so many people. He was a really evil character with zero redeemable qualities.
Just not my cup of tea.
In a sheltered village, the Cabinet Maker's daughter Edith meets a shepherd and instantly falls in love. The two vow to be wed but Edith's father has promised her to The Butcher - an evil man who rules the village in fear. Edith promises that she will marry The Butcher if her shepherd does not return by the time of the first snow. What happens next takes away Edith's voice, but starts to change everything for the village, and in particular its womenfolk.
This book very much feels like a feminist fairytale in a way - not in the actions of the characters in particular but more so the overall message of the story. There were some parts of the story that were really beautifully told, and I did really like some of the imagery of the snow-covered village. I also enjoyed a lot of the storytelling aspects of the tale.
I don't really have anything particularly critical to say about the book other than I think it just wasn't one for me. I didn't really gel with the story, and by 3/4 of the way through I was just really wanting it to be over. I found the story mostly sad overall, and it was a bit depressing continuously hearing all the ways The Butcher had wrecked the lives of so many people. He was a really evil character with zero redeemable qualities.
Just not my cup of tea.
December 25, 2021
4 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I will be the storyteller and my stories will be the light. They will be told again by others and not even death will blow out the candle or silence the words.
The Snow Song is a feminist wintery fairytale told in an exquisite lyrical prose—and let me be clear that this is an adult fairytale with dark and serious themes, so do not expect a disney-like rosy fairytale.
The story has many gripping moments and it kept tugging at my heartstrings because of how tangible the misery felt.
His music danced into her heart to free her troubled soul from its cage, and she stood mesmerised.
One spring morning, Edith's heart was caught by the music of a young musician with eyes of a winter blue sky. The music echoed with her own feelings for it was called the Snow Song, although the snow has gone but the young man assured her it will return in time.
And so, this moment marked the beginning of Edith and Demetrius's love.
'I’m to be buried alive, a house my coffin, a wedding ring my chain, a white dress my shroud.’
Edith lives with an alcoholic father, who is the cabinet-maker, in a remote village infested with superstitions and traditions and rules by corrupt men. She and Demeterius wish to marry, however Demetrius is a shepherd and an outsider. He is also mistaken as a gypsy.
Edith's father, like everyone else in the village, are indebted to the butcher. He is an old man corrupt with power and he had his eyes on Edith to have her as a wife.
Demetrius vows to return to Edith by the first snowfall to marry. Days and weeks past as Edith awaits for her love to return while the butcher and the men of the village are scheming his own wedding to Edith.
By first snowfall, Edith's hair turns white and she loses her ability to speak.
Her gift lay in the power to hear and hold safe all that was said to her.
Edith's entire journey was fascinating, devastating, and last but not least—empowering.
The romance was not the central theme or plot of this book, it was women empowerment and the power of words and stories.
The author did not shy away from showcasing the degree of corruption the partiachal community of that village show and the all kinds of abuse women and even men with disabilities are subjected to.
Tragedy and grief is an element woven throughout this story, so there were quite a few moments that had me on the brink of tears.
Although the romance could be considered Insta-love and it did not have much development, it still made my heart hurt for both Edith and Demetrius.
This book is...:
— An adult fairytale.
— A love story enriched with folklore and magical realism.
— A semi-Forbidden love between a village girl and a shepherd.
— Wintery setting.
— Dark plot twists.
— Takes place in a remote village.
— Feminism is a central theme in the book.
Trigger Warnings: alcoholism, violence, implied se*ual assault (not the MC), implied incest, death.
I will be the storyteller and my stories will be the light. They will be told again by others and not even death will blow out the candle or silence the words.
The Snow Song is a feminist wintery fairytale told in an exquisite lyrical prose—and let me be clear that this is an adult fairytale with dark and serious themes, so do not expect a disney-like rosy fairytale.
The story has many gripping moments and it kept tugging at my heartstrings because of how tangible the misery felt.
His music danced into her heart to free her troubled soul from its cage, and she stood mesmerised.
One spring morning, Edith's heart was caught by the music of a young musician with eyes of a winter blue sky. The music echoed with her own feelings for it was called the Snow Song, although the snow has gone but the young man assured her it will return in time.
And so, this moment marked the beginning of Edith and Demetrius's love.
'I’m to be buried alive, a house my coffin, a wedding ring my chain, a white dress my shroud.’
Edith lives with an alcoholic father, who is the cabinet-maker, in a remote village infested with superstitions and traditions and rules by corrupt men. She and Demeterius wish to marry, however Demetrius is a shepherd and an outsider. He is also mistaken as a gypsy.
Edith's father, like everyone else in the village, are indebted to the butcher. He is an old man corrupt with power and he had his eyes on Edith to have her as a wife.
Demetrius vows to return to Edith by the first snowfall to marry. Days and weeks past as Edith awaits for her love to return while the butcher and the men of the village are scheming his own wedding to Edith.
By first snowfall, Edith's hair turns white and she loses her ability to speak.
Her gift lay in the power to hear and hold safe all that was said to her.
Edith's entire journey was fascinating, devastating, and last but not least—empowering.
The romance was not the central theme or plot of this book, it was women empowerment and the power of words and stories.
The author did not shy away from showcasing the degree of corruption the partiachal community of that village show and the all kinds of abuse women and even men with disabilities are subjected to.
Tragedy and grief is an element woven throughout this story, so there were quite a few moments that had me on the brink of tears.
Although the romance could be considered Insta-love and it did not have much development, it still made my heart hurt for both Edith and Demetrius.
This book is...:
— An adult fairytale.
— A love story enriched with folklore and magical realism.
— A semi-Forbidden love between a village girl and a shepherd.
— Wintery setting.
— Dark plot twists.
— Takes place in a remote village.
— Feminism is a central theme in the book.
Trigger Warnings: alcoholism, violence, implied se*ual assault (not the MC), implied incest, death.
January 24, 2021
How I read this: borrowed through BookBeat audio subscription
3.5 stars, rounded up. It was a great story, but simply heart-breakingly sad. I had to put it away for a few weeks, because wow, couldn't bear to keep going.
Book Blog | Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
3.5 stars, rounded up. It was a great story, but simply heart-breakingly sad. I had to put it away for a few weeks, because wow, couldn't bear to keep going.
Book Blog | Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
April 10, 2022
*3,5*
It was a good story with a lot of female empowerment written like a fairytale. Perfect combo, but because of the fairytale-esque writing style, I didn't get into the story as I'd usually do.
I did read one of my new all time fave quotes in there: "wild women frighten men" 👏
It was a good story with a lot of female empowerment written like a fairytale. Perfect combo, but because of the fairytale-esque writing style, I didn't get into the story as I'd usually do.
I did read one of my new all time fave quotes in there: "wild women frighten men" 👏
November 11, 2020
This is an adult story told in fairy tale style, with an entire village under the patriarchal control of the Elders where strangers are rebuffed, superstitions rule and traditions simply must be followed. Edith lives with her alcoholic father who is forcing her to marry the village butcher, a powerful, tyrannical, alpha male who is old enough to be her grandfather. She, however, loves the shepherd who visited the village and who has promised to return to marry her. As snow falls, Edith becomes mute and life for her and the whole community is about to change for them all.
This is a story of the abuse of power by a few who subjugate others. It is about rebellion, women learning to fight back, empowering each other to make changes for them all. It is a magical read with love, loss, grief, inspiration and even murder interwoven together to make a very different read.
Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for my copy of this book which I have read voluntarily and honestly reviewed.
This is a story of the abuse of power by a few who subjugate others. It is about rebellion, women learning to fight back, empowering each other to make changes for them all. It is a magical read with love, loss, grief, inspiration and even murder interwoven together to make a very different read.
Thanks to HQ and NetGalley for my copy of this book which I have read voluntarily and honestly reviewed.
January 4, 2024
4.5⭐️ I really enjoyed this story. Edith is a girl from a very small and traditional village. She, and the other women, live in a patriarchal society and are badly treated by many of the men. The women are disregarded, ignored, abused and told to be silent. So Edith literally becomes silent. When the snow starts to fall, she stops speaking. And then amazing things follow.
I loved the characters, the story and the style of writing in this. It is an adult fable, so don’t expect a traditional happy ending. Some trigger warnings to be aware of include abuse and rape.
I loved the characters, the story and the style of writing in this. It is an adult fable, so don’t expect a traditional happy ending. Some trigger warnings to be aware of include abuse and rape.
November 11, 2020
What a complete treat reading The Snow Song was! I didn’t know much about it before I began and it’s lyrical, fairy-tale quality was exactly what I needed right now. A story that flits between the lines of reality and has a healthy amount of superstitions, ghosts and fables was perfect for me. Total escapism wrapped up in a beautiful writing.
I was going through a little reading slump when I picked up The Snow Song and it helped me kick that as I was immediately enchanted by it. A story about the power of stories. And the power of love.
It effortlessly mixes other-worldly fairy tale elements with a setting in vague reality – a remote, small village in an unnamed country, in an unnamed year. Being so indistinct about the place really worked to add to the ethereal atmosphere.
Edith, daughter of the cabinet-maker, falls in love with a shepherd, Demetrius. But he is a stranger, the villagers distrust him for that reason. The unofficial leader of the village, the butcher wants to marry Edith (despite being wildly older than her), so he decrees that if Demetrius doesn’t return from looking after his sheep by the first snowfall, Edith must marry him (the butcher).
The story follows Edith as she waits for Demetrius’ return, and does what she has to to survive. No spoilers from me, but there are twists and shocks in this brilliant page-turning tale.
Edith’s grandmother was a famous storyteller and Edith has the gift of story weaving too. Many fables are entwined through the book and I loved this. It leant a poetic edge to the whole tone:
This was the snow song that storytellers of old had spoken of. Her grandmother had said that those who were innocent thought it was the music of the heavens, those who were guilty heard the devil’s pots and pans falling.
The Snow Song is a fantastic feminist fairy-tale. Edith is such a strong woman. She lives in a time when superstition is king and women have no power. Any out-of-the-ordinary behaviour (such as having an independent thought) can be attributed to superstition and evil in order to keep women in their place. Edith, along with a few other village women, rebel against this and this is what gives the story its heart and passion.
Note how many of the men though, do not get a name: the butcher, the cabinet maker, the cobbler are only referred to by their jobs, the women all have names.
Unexpectedly darker than I first thought it was going to be, The Snow Song addresses some serious themes; paying homage to the often very sinister fairytales it mimics. In some ways, this book reminded me of Jess Kidd, an author I love who also merges reality with other worldly, for exceptionally enjoyable results. A unique, engrossing, beautiful book, add The Snow Song to your winter reading list.
I was going through a little reading slump when I picked up The Snow Song and it helped me kick that as I was immediately enchanted by it. A story about the power of stories. And the power of love.
It effortlessly mixes other-worldly fairy tale elements with a setting in vague reality – a remote, small village in an unnamed country, in an unnamed year. Being so indistinct about the place really worked to add to the ethereal atmosphere.
Edith, daughter of the cabinet-maker, falls in love with a shepherd, Demetrius. But he is a stranger, the villagers distrust him for that reason. The unofficial leader of the village, the butcher wants to marry Edith (despite being wildly older than her), so he decrees that if Demetrius doesn’t return from looking after his sheep by the first snowfall, Edith must marry him (the butcher).
The story follows Edith as she waits for Demetrius’ return, and does what she has to to survive. No spoilers from me, but there are twists and shocks in this brilliant page-turning tale.
Edith’s grandmother was a famous storyteller and Edith has the gift of story weaving too. Many fables are entwined through the book and I loved this. It leant a poetic edge to the whole tone:
This was the snow song that storytellers of old had spoken of. Her grandmother had said that those who were innocent thought it was the music of the heavens, those who were guilty heard the devil’s pots and pans falling.
The Snow Song is a fantastic feminist fairy-tale. Edith is such a strong woman. She lives in a time when superstition is king and women have no power. Any out-of-the-ordinary behaviour (such as having an independent thought) can be attributed to superstition and evil in order to keep women in their place. Edith, along with a few other village women, rebel against this and this is what gives the story its heart and passion.
Note how many of the men though, do not get a name: the butcher, the cabinet maker, the cobbler are only referred to by their jobs, the women all have names.
Unexpectedly darker than I first thought it was going to be, The Snow Song addresses some serious themes; paying homage to the often very sinister fairytales it mimics. In some ways, this book reminded me of Jess Kidd, an author I love who also merges reality with other worldly, for exceptionally enjoyable results. A unique, engrossing, beautiful book, add The Snow Song to your winter reading list.
December 21, 2020
just beautiful and sad all at the same time. really loved
December 20, 2023
A wintry tale that makes you want to curl up by a log fire to read it. It’s an endearing, feminist fantasy story in which a woman finds her strength and that of others by stopping to listen. I thought it clever that most characters did not have a name but were referred to be their occupation or relationship to another, empowering those few principle characters who were named.
September 24, 2021
I thought this was a dark, whimsical, and utterly atmospheric read. It took turns I did not expect and Gardner made me fall in love with her characters. Everything was also done within such a perfect bleak wintry setting. I look forward to rereading this again and again, full review to come as part of the blog tour. Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the eARC.
December 21, 2020
Beautiful storytelling. Feminist folklore interwoven with strong characters and a smattering of winter magic.
December 26, 2021
A wonderful love story. Spellbinding and enchanting. Perfect read for a winter's evening.
December 16, 2025
I enjoyed this book more than I thought. It was great to read Edith’s story and see how it is a metaphor for what lots of women deal with and how her actual silence can be applied to so many women who have had to keep things quiet
November 17, 2025
Beautiful, haunting, ethereal
November 19, 2025
I loved this book so much I finished it in a day!
December 11, 2025
This is a lovely fairy tale for adults - some dark themes but a very easy satisfying read with interesting characters and well weaved story
May 14, 2021
“A spellbinding fairytale and magical love story, perfect for Christmas 2020”
Check. Check. Check.
It coincidentally snowed (twice) whilst I read this which helped to set the scene. In short, this is a story centres around a relatively isolated village full of superstition and strict traditions. The novel is about a storyteller finding courage and her inner strength, in doing so the power of words - and silence - become leading themes to this book. The elements of magic throughout this book set it apart for me, I do love fairytales!
Check. Check. Check.
It coincidentally snowed (twice) whilst I read this which helped to set the scene. In short, this is a story centres around a relatively isolated village full of superstition and strict traditions. The novel is about a storyteller finding courage and her inner strength, in doing so the power of words - and silence - become leading themes to this book. The elements of magic throughout this book set it apart for me, I do love fairytales!
August 4, 2022
Lacked any sort of magical quality.
The writing was so matter of fact and the message of the story was constantly hammered at you, like there was no nuance at all. Too much telling and info dumps and not showing.
Edith was an underdeveloped character and so was the romance between her and Demetrius. You're told they're in love and just have to believe it.
Trauma was given to characters for the sake of making the bad guy look worse without addressing how this would affect them as victims.
Quite disappointed as it had potential but didn't deliver.
The writing was so matter of fact and the message of the story was constantly hammered at you, like there was no nuance at all. Too much telling and info dumps and not showing.
Edith was an underdeveloped character and so was the romance between her and Demetrius. You're told they're in love and just have to believe it.
Trauma was given to characters for the sake of making the bad guy look worse without addressing how this would affect them as victims.
Quite disappointed as it had potential but didn't deliver.
December 24, 2020
I thought this was a gem of a book, an adult fairytale with darkness and light. I don’t normally give 5 stars but I loved it. Merry Christmas 🎄
November 13, 2020
There’s nothing like a snow-filled tale to make me hopeful for a white winter, even though we’re not close to that stage yet I do enjoy reading a book like this as the days get colder and darker, it fits the season perfectly.
I really enjoyed the setting in The Snow Song, the remote snowy village next to a mountain is a wonderful ambience for this kind of fable like story, with some hints of fairytale and magic it really helps to keep you entranced. There is a part of the book that, when I came across it, made me really think about how each reader would experience this a little differently…
I feel like the fact that we go into this book without really knowing where it is or when it is means that we can create that part of the magic for ourselves even though the narrative remains the same.
This story is centred around the empowerment of women and how one little change can give others the courage to speak up and not conform to what has been prescribed for them. It highlights the ways traditions and religious beliefs can be skewed to oppress people and make them unquestioning.
Of course, the majority of the men in this story are the type that provoke instant anger, the ones that want to keep the women in their place and the ones that are too scared to do anything differently even if they do agree. I did like that, for the most part, they didn’t have names and were referred to by their profession: the butcher, the mayor, the priest; this did kind of add to their dehumanisation, luckily there were also some redeeming male characters who sought to change things even if they started in small ways.
Edith, the story’s main protagonist and the catalyst for the changes in the village, was an interesting character. She started off as an open-minded and hopeful character and then as the story progressed she became resilient with a quiet kind of defiance. I liked what happened with the romance between her and Demetrius, it’s hard to say much without giving away some of the story, but it was refreshing that it was a great love that found acceptance in its circumstances and I admired how Edith handled it.
There were, of course, a fair few female characters that change dramatically throughout the course of the story and end up creating a supportive community for the rest. I think though that the character who stood out the most other than Edith was Misha, I loved that he was someone who didn’t believe in himself at all and developed into this strong and resourceful character. The fact that he went against the butcher’s wishes and tried to help certain characters, even though that would have been dangerous, opened up a little space in my heart for him.
I only have one little thing about the book that I wasn’t keen on, the bloodless, there isn’t really all that much said about them in context to the story but they are referenced. The few times they are mentioned it is not, in my opinion, in any way that adds something to the story, perhaps it was to be a subtle indicator for something that I have completely missed the point of. I felt the threat of them was superfluous so it either should have been cut from the story or made a bit clearer why they were being used.
The Snow Song is an atmospheric, enchanting and empowering story full of heartbreak and wonder and perfect for winter reading.
Originally posted on everywhere and nowhere
I really enjoyed the setting in The Snow Song, the remote snowy village next to a mountain is a wonderful ambience for this kind of fable like story, with some hints of fairytale and magic it really helps to keep you entranced. There is a part of the book that, when I came across it, made me really think about how each reader would experience this a little differently…
Could one snowflake tell the whole story of snow when each was individually made round a grain of dust? The same was true, she thought, of her grandmother’s stories. She’d told them round grains of truth and each became something different. If Edith was to write them down, all the snowflakes would be the same.
I feel like the fact that we go into this book without really knowing where it is or when it is means that we can create that part of the magic for ourselves even though the narrative remains the same.
This story is centred around the empowerment of women and how one little change can give others the courage to speak up and not conform to what has been prescribed for them. It highlights the ways traditions and religious beliefs can be skewed to oppress people and make them unquestioning.
Of course, the majority of the men in this story are the type that provoke instant anger, the ones that want to keep the women in their place and the ones that are too scared to do anything differently even if they do agree. I did like that, for the most part, they didn’t have names and were referred to by their profession: the butcher, the mayor, the priest; this did kind of add to their dehumanisation, luckily there were also some redeeming male characters who sought to change things even if they started in small ways.
Edith, the story’s main protagonist and the catalyst for the changes in the village, was an interesting character. She started off as an open-minded and hopeful character and then as the story progressed she became resilient with a quiet kind of defiance. I liked what happened with the romance between her and Demetrius, it’s hard to say much without giving away some of the story, but it was refreshing that it was a great love that found acceptance in its circumstances and I admired how Edith handled it.
There were, of course, a fair few female characters that change dramatically throughout the course of the story and end up creating a supportive community for the rest. I think though that the character who stood out the most other than Edith was Misha, I loved that he was someone who didn’t believe in himself at all and developed into this strong and resourceful character. The fact that he went against the butcher’s wishes and tried to help certain characters, even though that would have been dangerous, opened up a little space in my heart for him.
I only have one little thing about the book that I wasn’t keen on, the bloodless, there isn’t really all that much said about them in context to the story but they are referenced. The few times they are mentioned it is not, in my opinion, in any way that adds something to the story, perhaps it was to be a subtle indicator for something that I have completely missed the point of. I felt the threat of them was superfluous so it either should have been cut from the story or made a bit clearer why they were being used.
The Snow Song is an atmospheric, enchanting and empowering story full of heartbreak and wonder and perfect for winter reading.
Originally posted on everywhere and nowhere
December 18, 2020
"Edith looked up at the myriad of stars and thought about the power of a story to define a past or predict a future. Of the infinite possibilities of what lay ahead."
This book is beautiful. And so perfect for wintertime!
It is a feminist tale inspired by history and woven in magical-realism. The setting is a small village in the middle of nowhere, and it is very reminiscent of historical time perhaps in the late 1800s. Superstition and religion lead the village and the protagonist, Edith, falls madly in love with a shepherd. The shepherd is an outsider, and thus forbidden, as the village does not approve of outsiders...it does not approve of anything that might bring change.
Edith symbolizes the power to change and through her, an entire community of women is given a voice. I absolutely loved the poetic storytelling, the lyrical prose told like an old fairytale. The worldbuilding of the village was done well and I could feel the winter chills and imagine the vivid imagery of the forest. This is at its very core a tale of silenced women and the very few choices a woman had in a time when everything depended on marrying and having children and obeying husbands and brothers and fathers and basically, obeying all males.
Edith was a wonderful protagonist but I loved the supporting characters even more because they were given personalities, they were given points of view and they all grew on me. I loved how the author chooses not to name every character. I absolutely fell in love with the character of Misha, "the village idiot". He truly outshined Demetrius for me in every way, and I even found myself platonically shipping him with Edith. And gosh, I really hated the butcher and the elders.
But this book is not just centered on romantic love, but all kinds of love, love for family, love for friends, and mostly this book is about loving yourself. And to love yourself also means making your own choices through your own journey. This is a story about a woman finding her voice through grief, pain, and prejudice and it's about the way that one single individual, one single voice, can make a difference and influence for good or bad.
It is possible to find courage in the darkest of times, even when you're alone. And it's so easy to spread hate, as well as love.
This book is beautiful in every way, but it's also a punch in the gut for it contains uncomfortable triggers. And because of these triggers I find myself not being able to rate it higher than I want.
But do not let it stop you from reading this hidden gem. Just because it's uncomfortable doesn't mean it should be avoided. Books like these are really important.
Also, look at that gorgeous cover! *swoons*
If you like historical coming of age, magical realism with romance, or just whimsical prose, please give it a try!
TW:
December 21, 2020
December is traditionally a time for magic and fairy tales, and I couldn’t help but be drawn to The Snow Song by Sally Gardner. Just look at that stunning wintery cover!
Initially, I wasn’t certain whether this was a children’s book or one for adults, and on further investigation discovered that Sally Gardner is a best-selling, award-winning children’s author, which made perfect sense. However, soon it became clear that this is a feminist fairy tale that sweeps the listener to a snowy land filled with superstition and fear.
Set in an isolated village, where life is dictated by rules fashioned by men, life changes dramatically for Edith when she loses her voice. Once mute, the other women feel confident to confide their secrets, and as the snow begins to thaw, so the powerful patriarchy that governs the community begins to shake. The Snow Song includes all the elements required of a fable – Edith, the young heroine trapped at home with her alcoholic father; Demetrius, a mysterious traveller; the villainous butcher; the mountainous setting.
There is a lyrical quality to Amanda Bright’s narration that flowed well and felt right for a fable story. The combination of both voice and scene-setting is so vivid that it was easy to picture how the characters might look if it was adapted for stage. Hearing The Snow Song swept me back to the classroom and my favourite time of day, when the teacher would read before releasing us for home. One for lovers of magical realism or mystical tales. The Snow Song reads like a modern-day classic.
Initially, I wasn’t certain whether this was a children’s book or one for adults, and on further investigation discovered that Sally Gardner is a best-selling, award-winning children’s author, which made perfect sense. However, soon it became clear that this is a feminist fairy tale that sweeps the listener to a snowy land filled with superstition and fear.
Set in an isolated village, where life is dictated by rules fashioned by men, life changes dramatically for Edith when she loses her voice. Once mute, the other women feel confident to confide their secrets, and as the snow begins to thaw, so the powerful patriarchy that governs the community begins to shake. The Snow Song includes all the elements required of a fable – Edith, the young heroine trapped at home with her alcoholic father; Demetrius, a mysterious traveller; the villainous butcher; the mountainous setting.
There is a lyrical quality to Amanda Bright’s narration that flowed well and felt right for a fable story. The combination of both voice and scene-setting is so vivid that it was easy to picture how the characters might look if it was adapted for stage. Hearing The Snow Song swept me back to the classroom and my favourite time of day, when the teacher would read before releasing us for home. One for lovers of magical realism or mystical tales. The Snow Song reads like a modern-day classic.
December 24, 2022
I've picked this book up for the gorgeous cover expecting it to be a cozy fairytale about winter, but I was wrong - this was very dark yet realistic adult tale about women imprisoned by traditions.
the book portrays a village situated on a mountain and cut from the outside world, where the elders (all men) ruled based on what they believed was right. of course, what was right for *them* involved forcing women against their will, gaslight and brainwash them, with the intent to reduce them to silence. 🤫
the main character is Edith. she lives with her alcoholic dad who wants to marry her to the butcher, so his debts are paid off (he's old enough to be her dad). however, she doesn't love him as she has found her lover already - of course, that matters little to her drunkard dad.
so, in grief for a choice she cannot make for herself, she becomes silent. 🤐
in her silence, she discovered many truths - the women in town found their safe space in her, as she was listening and not judging as the priest was. they finally felt heard. 🔊
the stories that came to light were honestly horrifying - they were suffering so much at the hands of men, please check the TWs!
💌 my fav quotes:
♡ "You say men will be men - what does that mean for women? Will women be women? No, because when we are, we're too loud. We're told to be silent".
♡ "The one thing men fear most is the freedom of a woman to be herself. Wild women frighten men."
overall rating: 4.5 stars ✨️ (a dark feminist tale with a winter setting which I definitely recommend)
the book portrays a village situated on a mountain and cut from the outside world, where the elders (all men) ruled based on what they believed was right. of course, what was right for *them* involved forcing women against their will, gaslight and brainwash them, with the intent to reduce them to silence. 🤫
the main character is Edith. she lives with her alcoholic dad who wants to marry her to the butcher, so his debts are paid off (he's old enough to be her dad). however, she doesn't love him as she has found her lover already - of course, that matters little to her drunkard dad.
so, in grief for a choice she cannot make for herself, she becomes silent. 🤐
in her silence, she discovered many truths - the women in town found their safe space in her, as she was listening and not judging as the priest was. they finally felt heard. 🔊
the stories that came to light were honestly horrifying - they were suffering so much at the hands of men, please check the TWs!
💌 my fav quotes:
♡ "You say men will be men - what does that mean for women? Will women be women? No, because when we are, we're too loud. We're told to be silent".
♡ "The one thing men fear most is the freedom of a woman to be herself. Wild women frighten men."
overall rating: 4.5 stars ✨️ (a dark feminist tale with a winter setting which I definitely recommend)
September 25, 2022
Theme wise en saanu tästä vaan kauheesti mitään irti, eikä kirjotustyylikään säväyttänyt hirveesti. Tätä on kuvailtu feministiseks kirjaks, jota se tavallaan olikin, mutta ei tuonut mulle yhtään mitään uusia kulmia, enemmänkin vain toisteli itsestään selviä asioita. Isona teemana oli, että kaikkien naisten pitäis saada itse valita, kenen kanssa menee naimisiin, joka on siis tärkeetä, mutta oli ärsyttävää, että joka ikinen nainen halus naimisiin ja oli selkeesti rakastunut yhteen mieheen - usealle se oli jopa päämotivaatio kaikkiin tekoihin, joka on ainakin itselle aika vanhanaikainen ja pölyttynyt naiskuva.
Kirjo oli kirjoitettu sadun muotoon, joka joissain kohdissa toimi (tykkäsin siitä, miten lumi oli tässä tärkeässä osassa ja miten sitä kuvailtiin), mutta välillä tässä oli omaan makuun liian kärjistetty mustavalkoinen asettelu. Hahmot oli siis joko täysin hyviä tai täysin pahoja. Kirjoitustyyli ja kaikkitietävä kertoja aiheutti tunteen, että tarkkailin kaikkia tapahtumia vähän kaukaa, ilman, että oikeesti pääsin kenenkään hahmon pään sisään.
Helppolukuinen tää oli ja silleen selkeää tekstiä!
Kirjo oli kirjoitettu sadun muotoon, joka joissain kohdissa toimi (tykkäsin siitä, miten lumi oli tässä tärkeässä osassa ja miten sitä kuvailtiin), mutta välillä tässä oli omaan makuun liian kärjistetty mustavalkoinen asettelu. Hahmot oli siis joko täysin hyviä tai täysin pahoja. Kirjoitustyyli ja kaikkitietävä kertoja aiheutti tunteen, että tarkkailin kaikkia tapahtumia vähän kaukaa, ilman, että oikeesti pääsin kenenkään hahmon pään sisään.
Helppolukuinen tää oli ja silleen selkeää tekstiä!
March 5, 2021
The story is a step back in time into a fairytale style world to a small village at the bottom of a mountain. The village elders lead by example and traditions are superstitions are believed and followed.
Edith lives with her domineering alcoholic father, who doesn't seem to care much about anything other than where his next drink is. When Edith falls in love with a shepherd, she has never felt so happy. The village does not approve of the couple, and her father wants her to marry the village butcher. Edith couldn't think of anything worse.
This was painful to read at times and I truly felt sorry for Edith's plight. The butcher was a domineering, cruel and pompous man who had everyone in the village living in fear of his wrath. The author definitely made him a true villain in every way and I was rooting for his downfall throughout.
Edith was definitely the antithesis of the butcher's cruel character. It was interesting to read about a character who selected to be mute. The characters responded to her differently and opened up far more to her, as they felt their secrets/stories were in safe hands.
This was a magical read and a very different one from anything I have ever read before!
Edith lives with her domineering alcoholic father, who doesn't seem to care much about anything other than where his next drink is. When Edith falls in love with a shepherd, she has never felt so happy. The village does not approve of the couple, and her father wants her to marry the village butcher. Edith couldn't think of anything worse.
This was painful to read at times and I truly felt sorry for Edith's plight. The butcher was a domineering, cruel and pompous man who had everyone in the village living in fear of his wrath. The author definitely made him a true villain in every way and I was rooting for his downfall throughout.
Edith was definitely the antithesis of the butcher's cruel character. It was interesting to read about a character who selected to be mute. The characters responded to her differently and opened up far more to her, as they felt their secrets/stories were in safe hands.
This was a magical read and a very different one from anything I have ever read before!
August 6, 2020
3.5 stars
I think the cover on this alone is going to get people picking it up and taking it home.
It has the magical quality of a Russian fairy tale... Snow,a little bit of magic,a dark storyline,and a village full of secrets ruled by a tyrant.
It's also got a strong cast of women characters who learn to stand up for themselves and work together.
A very satisfying read.
I think the cover on this alone is going to get people picking it up and taking it home.
It has the magical quality of a Russian fairy tale... Snow,a little bit of magic,a dark storyline,and a village full of secrets ruled by a tyrant.
It's also got a strong cast of women characters who learn to stand up for themselves and work together.
A very satisfying read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2024
This is a beautifully written book, full of fairy tales, stories and superstitions, and is in part a love story. Edith lives in an isolated village, where strangers are treated with suspicion, the elders rule and control, and women are expected to obey. When Edith’s fiancé goes missing and the snow starts to fall, she loses the power of speech, but finds there is strength in her silence.
November 14, 2025
This is supposed to be an adult fiction but I felt like the author was used to writing children's books and the only thing she changed is the subject topic. This does touch upon adult themes but in a very simplistic way. I also get that this book is considered feminist but too simply put for me to really admire it and love it.
Just a bit meh for me
Just a bit meh for me
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