Snow Apples

by Mary Razzell

While the rest of the world celebrates the end of World War II, sixteen-year-old Sheila Brary finds life in a remote British Columbia outport suffocating and isolating. A household full of brothers, a philandering father, and, most of all, Sheila’s demanding, embittered mother all stand in the way of a bright, beautiful teenager who dreams of continuing her schooling and becoming a nurse. The mother-daughter relationship at the heart of this haunting novel is both timeless and complex, and the two strong, rebellious women are more alike than they care to admit. One meets the demands of a sexist age with resentment and anger, while the other struggles to break away. In the end, Sheila defies her mother by pursuing a romance with a local carpenter. But when she becomes pregnant, she turns to her father for help, with devastating results.

First published in 1984, Snow Apples remains a classic — a gritty, uncompromising story about a young woman who struggles to choose her own path amidst formidable obstacles of family, place, and time.

Genres: Young Adult, Teen, Fiction

216 pages, Paperback

First published January 26, 2006

About the author

Mary Razzell's poetry, articles, and short stories have been published and broadcast internationally. She is the author of many young adult novels, including Snow Apples, finalist for the Canada Council Children's Literature Award; Salmonberry Wine, finalist for the Geoffrey Bilson Historical Fiction Award and the Sheila Egoff Children's BC Book Prize; Night Fires; White Wave, finalist for the Sheila Egoff Children's BC Book Prize; and Smuggler's Moon.

Reviews

[Sherry · Rating 2 out of 5]

How can I review such a book as this - such brutal honesty. 15 -16 year old Sheila. 1945. Sheila is trying to negotiate her way through her relationships with her mother, strange men, her adult friends in the neighborhood who help her (Mr. Percy, the doctor, Helga), her first real boyfriend, her brothers, her absent, philandering father. Openly discusses MANY things of sexual nature. Not written to entice, just matter of fact. NOT a book to recommend to teens. Not really anyone. The other side of that though, is that the story was so compelling that I couldn't let it go - thus my 2 stars instead of no stars rating. A very cautionary tale.

[Sadie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out with a lot of promise. The story was compelling and then a little over halfway through it takes a bizarre turn. Events get sped through and then it's over. I was disappointed because this book had so much potential.

[Abby Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. The book is about a sixteen-year-old girl named Shelia Brary surving life post WWII. Shelia lives in an remote British Columbia outport, with a demading dad and an controlling mother who stands in the way of her future dreams. Shelia dreams of one day going to college and then becoming a nurse but, her mother believes different. Her mother wants her to find love and marry. The relationship between Shelia and her mother is similiar to any mother daughter relationship. Even though they disagree often they are more similar then they would like to admit. Shelia ends up following her mother's wishes by marrying a carpenter. When Shelia becomes pregant she turns to her dad for help, with devastating results. Again, I really enjoyed this book because I feel like it really helped relate to how women had to recover after WWII. The one thing that I did not like about the book was the pace. In the beginning the book was very slow to read but then towards the end it picked up really fast and ended before I knew it.Overall, I would recommend this book to read.

[East Chapel Hill High School Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

late 1940s, British Columbia, Canada
Teenager Sheila lives with her mother and brothers, feeling stuck and dissatisfied with her lot in life. She wants to continue with her schooling, but she's expected to stay home, care for the family, and marry. She's having none of it. Her mother, also feeling stuck, has lived her life unhappily within the given limits and restrictions. The two women continually knock heads, and they learn from one another as well as from the interesting townsfolk around them. A good read.

[Camille · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Nothing is simple it seems. And no one can be completely understood. Am I any different, really? Already I have secrets of my own, for on one else to know. Maybe everyone has a secret.."- Snow Apples
Take yourself back to the late 20th century in the U.S. when the war has just come to an end. Meet a young girl,named Sheila, and watch her grow into adulthood during a time of complete frenzy of women rights.Sheila must discover that to survive in a world ruled by men, she must do whatever it takes to avoid their ruthless behavior.Even if that means giving up her rights as a woman.
This novel was beyond mind blowing!The way Razzell talks in reference towards men, makes me hate the whole gender completely! It's a very powerful book that really makes you appreciate what you have, and how far you will go to achieve the "perfect" life. Although it becomes graffic at times, it only portrays life in the 1920-1930's to be so brutal for women. The novel itself, I believe, gives a very real account of what some women go through to be accepted into the world of men,even today.A heart jerking read. I only recommend this novel if one understands the concept of women brutality.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

more like 3.75/5. Holy hell is this a depressing novel, even outside of that one scene that I was told about, which compelled me to read it. on a cell phone, so I can't say what it is as there's no spoiler button in the android app. several of the themes are still relevant today. I'm actually surprised by some of the parallels I drew between this novel and the Alice series. will write more and less rambling once I get to a real computer.

[Celina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short but eye opening book about one young girls experiences in a time when so much was going on. The lead character takes you along on a journey of young love, disappointment, and sacrifice. I would definitely suggest reading this book.

[Diana · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was really disappointed with this book. I thought it was gonna be great when I started it. However the majority of characters were not likable and there were just too many bizarre twists.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sheila lives in post war British Columbia. She and her mother are both strong females, bucking the system of rules set down by the males. Good

[Polly · Rating 4 out of 5]

YA Book Tour # 53

[Stephanie A. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too slow in most parts, too explicit in others.