Play Book Tag discussion

This author's first book, The Snow Child, was one of my favorite books and one I've read more than once. I started reading this several years ago but think I put it aside and never picked it up again.
It's still languishing on my TBR but I decided this month's tag would be a great time to give it another try. I'm so glad I did. It's a wonderful, memorable book that was an intoxicating read.

Partially set in 1885 Alaska, Lieutenant Colonel Allen Forrester has been asked by the U.S. government to travel north along the Wolverine River, surveying the land and meeting the native people. He takes along two other soldiers and a small band of native guides, and embarks on a formidable trip into an unforgiving terrain. His pregnant wife, Sophie, remains behind at Vancouver Barracks. He documents his travels and observations for the U. S. Army, but also keeps a private journal in which he describes to Sophie the many strange encounters he witnesses.

In the meantime, Sophie is writing in her journal, describing her love for Allen and the events in her own life. An unconventional woman for those times, she finds herself longing to capture the beauty of birds in her photography. Alternating with contemporary times, we also read letters sent back and forth between the elderly Walt Forrester, Allen’s great-nephew, and the curator of the Alaska museum to whom he’s sent Allen’s journals. The letters between them tie the story together cohesively.

I'm not a huge magical realism fan, but I am a huge fan of Eowyn Ivey, whose luminous prose brings the reader right into the story. Her description of the Wolverine journey, and the dangers along the way were filled with tension. Her ability to blur the differences between man and animal were beautifully imagined.

I don't recommend this book in audio and did switch to the hardback once I realized that there were photographs included. This is a exquisitely written, cleverly imagined novel that was fascinating to read from the first page to the last.

I loved this book as well. Great review!

I am not a magical realism fan either, but I loved this book!

It's a marvelous book. I DID enjoy the audio .. .but I had the text handy for all those maps and photos.

Olivermagnus wrote: "This author's first book, The Snow Child, was one of my favorite books and one I've read more than once. I started reading this several years ago but think I put it aside and never picked it up aga..."

Great review! I started this book too once. I don’t know why I put it down, but I should try again. Thanks for the reminder about the Snow Child too. For some reason the audio was withdrawn from audible and my library.

The e-book has all the graphical images in case anyone is wondering.

Your review is marvelous! I have this here somewhere to read because I too was enchanted by The Snow Child.

@JoyD - good to know about ebook as I think that is the edition I have.