So far, despite the bite marks on the front cover of the book and only reading the first 20 pages, I am enjoying the novel. The Snow Child, written by Eowyn Ivey, appears to be about a middle aged, childless couple who decides to leave their hectic, yet also mundane, lifestyle behind and move to a remote area in Alaska. In the first few pages, readers are introduced to Jack and Mabel, the main characters. Ivey's displays them in a depressing, helpless light - evoking instant pity from readers. With the harsh winter approaching quickly, Jack works continuously in order for them to survive and Mabel becomes suicidal as a result of their isolation. It is apparent that both Jack and Mabel desire to have a child, yet have given up all hope of doing so after their stillborn baby was birthed 10 years ago.
As for the style of the novel so far, Ivey seems to be breaking the chapters up by perspective. Although the novel is written with a third person omniscient narrator, the first chapter focuses mainly on Mabel's experiences and the second chapter focuses mainly on Jack's experiences. However the chapters do not over lap in time. Mabel's experiences begin the story and Jack's experiences follow hers chronologically. Readers are unaware of one of the person's thoughts and feelings when the chapter is focused on the other. Ivey may be doing this in order to convey the disconnect between the two characters, in which case it's working. Despite the fact that Mabel and Jack live together (and are assumed to be married), they live completely separate lives. This leads me to believe that the theme of the importance of human connections is going to play a large role in this novel. But I'll just have to wait and see.
Great job! I loved reading your witty post. What do you think Jack and Mabel's main reason for staying together is? To me, it seems as if they really don't care for each other and have even given up on having a child. Is it just out of habit, or is there some other motivation? All in all, this was an informative post that made my evening. It looks like you really deserve that PhD in blogging!
ReplyDeleteIn all honesty, at the beginning of the novel I would have said I do not really know. However, after being 75% done with the novel, I believe that they stayed together partially out of habit and partially out of fear of losing the last connection they had. Ivey makes it clear that Mabel and Jack do indeed love each other despite not having a child, yet they are not always good at showing that. Now that Faina is in their lives, they are much happier and even enjoy each others presence! Hopefully when Faina leaves for good (which Ivey has strongly hinted will happen) this love will not vanish as it has in the past. Thanks for the comment!
DeleteA thoughtful insight into the effect of the shifting perspectives. Could you provide some specific examples of this disconnect between them? How often does the stillbirth come up? It seems like it would be a difficult topic for people to discuss. It would be interesting to hear if one character is more willing to discuss the topic.
ReplyDeleteI really like your background. Your blog looks great.
Thank you, I thought the snow was fitting too!
DeleteThroughout part one of the novel, there are many instances where it is clear to see that Mabel and Jack are very disconnected. The most prominent example that comes to my mind is the opening of the book. Mabel attempted to kill herself by walking onto a slightly frozen river in early winter but, to her surprise, did not fall through and survived. Later that night at dinner, Mabel tried to tell Jack what she had done: "'I went to the river today', she said. ...'It's frozen all the way across to the cliffs,' she said in a near whisper. Her eyes down, her breath shallow, she waited, but there was only Jack's chewing, his fork at his plate." (Ivey, 10) Readers see this as a cry for help. In addition, Ivey's description of Jack's reaction to this let's readers know that he is less than interested in Mabel's cries. This disconnect is later confirmed in the novel when Jack reflects on their conversation. "He'd wondered more than once if she had ventured onto the river ice in November knowing full well the danger." (Ivey, 132) Reading this made me sad because clearly the love between them was there (hence Mabel wanting to confide in Jack and Jack being concerned about Mabel's intentions to go on the ice) yet both individuals had lost touch somewhere along the way of their marriage. However, I am happy that Faina is bringing them back together at last.
As for the stillbirth, this is a good example of their disconnect as well. Throughout the novel, Mabel reflects on the incident much more than Jack. She often blamed herself for the failed pregnancy, thinking that the baby died because she doubted her ability to be a mother. "If only she could believe. She hadn't before, when a life kicked inside her very womb. In a closed-up place in her heart, she knew it was her fault." (Ivey, 154) Likewise, everyday activities around the farm, such as planting potatoes, seemed to remind her of the child that she never had. "She stood, shook out her skirt, bent again toward the earth, dug another hole, dropped in a potato, then another hole, another potato. She pressed her hand into the dirt mound, like a little grave." (Ivey, 186) Flashbacks such as these make me pity Mabel and share in her grief, yet they also lead me to wonder why Jack does not experience these thoughts as well. Yet, a little more than half way though the novel, I saw a side of Jack that I had never seen before. When Mabel confides in Jack about their baby for the first time since moving to Alaska, she discovers something new as well. "'Jack. I know it's been so long. My God, ten years now. But tell me that you said a proper goodbye. Tell me you said a prayer over its grave. Please tell me that.' 'His.' 'What?' 'His grave. It was a little boy. And before I laid him in the ground, I named him Joseph Maurice.' ... 'Did you say a prayer?' 'Of course,' and he sounded hurt that she had asked. 'What did you say? Do you remember?' 'I prayed for God to take our tiny babe into his arms and cradle him as we would have, to rock him and love him and keep him safe.'" (Ivey, 231) This almost made me cry. My heart broke for their family but was simultaneously mended back together by Jack's sensitive side. Overall, I now feel that they both grieve the baby the same amount but I would definitely say that Mabel recalls it more often.
Hope that answered your questions!
Hey Victoria! I enjoyed reading your post! The book seems very interesting. What is the genre of the book? Is it supposed to be a romance or is this "romance" between Jack and Mabel just a piece of it? But, I'm impressed by your extensive analysis on the first 20 pages. Good job! :) Also your background is very fitting for the title of your book. Looks fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI would probably label the story under the broad category of fiction, but it’s so hard to say with this book! Ivey's story is mostly realistic, yet she also sprinkles a few touches of magical realism throughout. The plot line of a middle age couple moving to Alaska and attempting to survive there is believable yet building a child with wintery powers is not. You would think that by 75% of the novel read I would be able to pick a genre but Ivey intentionally tires to keep the origins of the Faina ambiguous - often switching between her being made of snow and her being the daughter of a man who lived in the mountains but died. I would not, however, consider it romance. Although it includes some romantic elements, this story is definitely one comparable to that of Nickolas Sparks. Thanks for the comment!
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