This is the second novel I've read by Stewart O'Nan, after Last Night at the Lobster. While I enjoyed Lobster," it really is a trifle compared to Snow Angels, which is an immensely quiet, powerful book. Essentially, it tells the story of two relationships, both disintegrating, set against the backdrop of rural Pennsylvania in the 70's (my onetime hometown of Bloomington, MN makes an appearance, as does that pansy Fran Tarkenton, getting chased down by the Steelers D). In it's way, Snow Angels reminded me of Edith Wharton's Ethan Frome, with the small town and big secrets; the insular lives; the omnipresent snow and cold; the lonely single road that leads to Tragedy. The story is told, in part, by Arthur Parkinson, who relates the story in flashback. He tells his own story - of his parent's divorce, of his first love, Lila, and his memories of Annie, his one-time babysitter who is murdered (you know this on the first page, so it's not a spoiler)- in the first person. He narrates the second strand of the story, the relationship of Annie and her estranged husband Glenn, in the third-person (you know he is the narrator because, at one point, he interjects himself, to powerful effect, into the third-person strand). O'Nan's writing is simple and direct, yet he manages, with great efficiency, to describe indelible characters. His description of the breakdown of Arthur's parent's marriage is spot on. I say this from experience, having seen my own parents get divorced. He eerily captures the feeling of a child torn between two warring factions in the most bitter of all conflicts: the conflict that occurs when love turns to hate (see, e.g., Star Wars). The scenes with Arthur warily dealing with his mother and father are among my favorites. The first-person narration adds to the strength of these sections. The story line with Annie and Glenn is a bit more prosaic. On the first page we learn that Annie is murdered. The rest of the novel tells you how we got to that point. Needless to say, it has to do with some of the choices she makes, choices relating to the fickle emotions emanating from our chest cavities. While believably told, it is a bit obvious. We've all read plenty of murder stories and know how we're supposed to feel; it's more interesting to read a detailed story about a divorce, with its emotional complexity, because even though it is far more familiar to our experience, it doesn't often get explored. This is not a book with happy endings. The theme, reiterated over and over, is how we come to part from the people we love. It's a subject I've spent the last year mulling. Once upon a time I was engaged to a girl I thought I'd see every day for the rest of my life. Now, there are times I can't remember her face, or the sound of her voice, or the way she smelled (and they say smell is one of those memories that last the longest). I always wonder at that: how you go to a wedding, everyone is happy, smiling groom, blushing bride, weeping parents. Oaths before God and all that. And somehow, in some way, so many of those perfect unions are rent asunder. When it is all over, and there is nothing but ashes, you start to wonder if love is a cosmic joke that lures us with delusions of infinity, then smacks us with the reality that it's as fleeting as an evening shadow. The theme is stated succinctly near the end, after Arthur's father tries to reconcile with his mother, and his mother rebuffs him. She tries to explain to Arthur why she did what she did: 'I hope you understand what just happened,' she said, 'and why it has to be this way...' 'I guess,' I said, and it was not an evasion. Because though it was already happening to me, I could not see how I would ever come to hate the people I loved. Yet at the same time I could do nothing to stop it, and that would not change for a very long time.When you are done reading it, you will probably want a hug, so it is best to read this in a room full of people who will be willing to hug you, or perhaps with a dog, though the dog will not hug you back, unless you've trained it to do so. You should also hug Stewart O'Nan if you see him, because I think he needs one.
After reading Last Night at the Lobster, I became a fan of Stewart O'Nan and knew that I would be reading more from him. Snow Angels is the first novel O'Nan wrote, and my second read from this author. The story is narrated by Arthur Parkinson, who was 14 years old during the winter of 1974 and living in the small town of Butler, Pennsylvania. This is the winter that his parents separate and his family falls apart. He and his mom move into a run-down little apartment, his dad is dating someone new, his mom is angry and depressed and coming undone, and Arthur's sister Astrid is calling from her station in Germany every so often to blame Arthur for not doing more to "fix" the situation. Simultaneously, we learn the story of Annie Marchand, Arthur's childhood babysitter, who is down on her luck with things continuously getting worse. The parallel storylines lead up to the event of her murder one cold snowy evening while Arthur is at band practice and everyone hears the gunshot.The only reason I'm giving this one 4 stars instead of 5 is because I got confused with the timeline early on. I eventually figured it out, but it made everything feel a bit disjointed in the beginning. Basically, Arthur is now an adult and is looking back on what happened during the winter of 74, as he and Astrid are visiting their old hometown for Christmas. This is stated in Ch.1, and then Ch.2 begins in October of 74 and switches perspectives between Arthur, Annie, and a few people connected to Annie as things lead up to her murder. I didn't really feel this was quite clear enough in the beginning; but then again, I may have been half-asleep when I began the book.ETA: I'm changing my rating to 5 stars, because the story has remained with me all day after finishing the book. The story really sucks you in and gives you a great understanding of why the characters are the way that they are. The setting is fantastically described, and the snowy weather is as gray as the characters' circumstances. It's not a feel-good book by any means, but it is complex and meaningful and realistic. **I just realized this was made into a movie in 2007, starring Kate Beckinsale. Can't wait to watch it!**
What do You think about Snow Angels (2003)?
One word that I would use to describe this book would be depressing. I should have just read the first two chapters and then the last one. The information and plot in between was really a waste of time. It seems like everyone was having relationship issues and a way to help them cope was to separate and have an affair with someone. The only two things that I could think of that were nice was the relationship between Arthur and his best friend, Warren, as well as his relationship with one of the
—Bridget
I don't know what to feel with this book. This is the first novel I've read from this author. I don't know if it is just the writing style of the author or is it just me not being able to grasp the story. -___- This is the story of young Arthur and his struggle to overcome issues of growing up and the divorce of his parents while at the same time on the sidelines his nanny during his younger years being having her own issues is being discussed too. I only got hook with the book on the last 50 pages of it. I nearly surrendered and stop in reading it because I really can't get on to it. I had high expectations with the book because the synopsis is good and I thought I could easily get through it because it's only like 300+ pages and having big fonts. The description of the place was hard for me to visualize. There are some point when the story seems to go uphill then it will immediately be cut and a new story line begins. I hope to find another book by this author because I would be buying it just to compare if that is how he really writes. I am not surrendering with this author.
—Mark
My first impression of this book was that it was meant for 6th graders. The font size used was huge and made it appear as if it had 10 words per page.Once I started reading it, I realized I wasn't too far off. While the subject matter is too much of a downer for a nine year old, the way the story was written would have made them feel right at home. The sentences were choppy and had no weight to them.There were so many missed opportunities that could have made this book a knockout, but were simply washed away. The deaths of several characters were described in at most 2 simply written paragraphs. I was left with a feeling of wanting more (or really SOMETHING) and getting handed simply a statement.You don't get a sense of love or hatred for any of the characters. While a lot of situations were sad, they were just that. Sad. Then you moved on. You didn't relate to the characters just the situation, which when it comes to reading a 300 page book, would help.I was disappointed by this book as it was recommended by someone who reads a massive amount of books. This book will definitely be sold at the next yard sale. No reason to keep it.
—Melissa
