THE SNOW CHILD

This debut novel, based on the Russian fairy tale of the snow maiden, slowly unfolds with an air of enchantment, which is reflected perfectly in Debra Monk's thoughtful narration. Mabel and Jack have moved to the Alaskan wilderness to try to escape their grief over their childlessness. In a rare moment of delight brought on by the first snowfall, they build a snow maiden. The next morning, she’s gone, as are the red scarf and mittens used to decorate her. Soon, the couple is catching glimpses of a girl running in the trees, a girl wearing a red scarf and mittens. Monk's performance ideally supports the story's sense of cold and the stillness that a snowfall brings, along with the muted undercurrent of melancholy that gently transforms into joy. K.O. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2012]