Readalongs with Karen discussion

Here we can discuss our thoughts/discussion questions on finishing The Ice Palace

I finished this last night and while I enjoyed the atmospheric writing, I wasn’t a big fan of the metaphorical story. I don’t like working so hard to understand what the author is trying to tell me.

This is such a great book to read in the winter though and I’ve googled photos of frozen waterfalls - they are truly amazing.

I really enjoyed this one! Such a haunting little book that showed the impact a friendship can have on people, alongside the deep sense of loss that can be felt when that friend is no longer in your life, even if they were only in your life a short time, and how difficult it is to move on when dealing with grief. Thank you for introducing me to this book that I'd never heard about!

Unfortunately this was not for me. I agree with Mariann before me that it took far too much effort on my part to try and understand what the author was trying to get across, and I don't think I fully succeeded.

I also couldn't relate at all to the characters, Siss just came off as purely selfish in my opinion, and it was hard to root for her both in the direct aftermath of Unn's disappearance and in her finding herself in the longer term.

I never regret reading books that I don't particularly like (since it still gives me something to think about), especially in the classics as I hardly choose these on my own accord. The scenes of the waterfall / Scandinavian forest are also beautiful, and while I didn't like the storyline full credit to the author for such vivid descriptions. Thank you for the introduction regardless, and I hope I'll enjoy next month's readalong a bit more than I did this one!

Brrr....this was a wintry story in events and atmosphere. I found the story powerful and haunting as we readers know Unn’s fate, while Siss and the others can only speculate. I guess I wasn’t really sure why Unn kept going deeper and deeper into the ice palace — I could see an excited child getting carried away, but it seemed her grief over the loss of her mother also played into it somehow. I’m not sure I understand all the nuances, but was relieved when Siss was finally able to rejoin her friends and begin to move on.

Thanks so much for joining in Mariann, Karen, Adelyne and Susan.
What a strange little novella this one is !
I agree with your comments regarding the story itself, but i loved the atmosphere and descriptions of the ice palace.
It's been on my tbr for a long time so glad i've read it anyway.
Onto the next : D
Happy new year and happy reading x

I’m so happy I read it too! I mean, who can resist that cover! 💙 That’s what I love about this group - it motivates me to read books I wouldn’t normally read.

As usual, I’ve over committed myself to challenges on Litsy so I will join in this group when I can. I do have Housekeeping though so I’m hoping to get to it this month. 🤞🏼

Mariann wrote: "I’m so happy I read it too! I mean, who can resist that cover! 💙 That’s what I love about this group - it motivates me to read books I wouldn’t normally read.

As usual, I’ve over committed myself..."
Thanks dear Mariann, happy new year x : )