I really like Henning Mankell's books, but until now I've only read his crime books about Kurt Wallander, the swedish superintendent at Ystad police force.'When the snow fell' was at my local library's ' young adult section'. However, I wasn't disappointed. It's a beautifully written, a heartwarming book.Joel, almost 14, lives in a remote village in north of Sweden where everyone knows everyone. He is his own mum he sais as Jenny his real mum ran away when he was a young child. Joel does all the shopping and cooking so it's ready when Samuel, his dad comes back from the forest. Samuel an ex sailor but now a lumberjack drinks to drown his sorrows and Joel has to pick up the pieces.Joel's New Years resolutions starts when the first snow falls. This year he made 3 resolutions, at midnight, in the graveyard with the dead as witnesses.His daily life revolves around his desire to implement his New Years resolutions, how to become tougher and more grown up while trying to deal with the frustrations from school, Samuel and fat old ladies gossiping in the local grocery store. This book was originally written '96 when teenagers could easily relate to a teenage boy in the fifties.Though I really liked it, I don't think its a big hit for today's teens.
Henning Mankell, the successful adult mystery writer, is trying his hand at the lucrative young adult market. While the writing in When Snow Fell is evocative and beautiful, it is hard to imagine young readers engaging with this book. Additionally, the setting is the 1950s in a small town in northern Sweden, not a sure-fire attention grabber. Thirteen-year-old Joel Gustafson celebrates his own personal New Year’s Eve when the first snowfall of winter comes with resolutions and all. As always, this year’s snowfall took him by surprise and he sets out to make his resolutions: to live to be a hundred years old which will require him to toughen himself up; to see the sea for the first time; and to see a lady naked. The rest of the book consists of Joel’s adventures in trying to fulfill his resolutions. The book is a mix of the melancholic and laugh-out-loud funny, especially Joel’s exploits to see the young shop assistant, Sonja Mattsson in transparent veils like Salome. Joel is his own mum and takes care of his father since Mummy Jenny left and his father is prone to go on drinking binges. This book might be appropriate for students who like good writing and quiet stories.
What do You think about When The Snow Fell (2009)?
Reviewed by Kira M for TeensReadToo.comOn the first snowfall of the year, 14-year-old Joel always makes his New Year's resolutions.This year he's made three: live to be 100, patch up his relationship with his father, and see a girl naked.Life keeps getting in the way, however, of him reaching his goals. His father is a lumberjack who goes on drinking binges and seems unhappy with life. His mother abandoned them years ago. To add to his plate, he's trying to navigate girls, first kisses, bullies, and having a crush on an older woman.Will Joel reach his resolutions amongst all his problems?A slower-paced book, but the author does a good job of constructing its main characters. The plot is intriguing and will appeal to middle school boys, who will be able to relate to Joel's struggles. Readers who like realistic fiction and coming-of-age stories will enjoy reading WHEN THE SNOW FELL.
—Jennifer Wardrip
The third in the trilogy about Joel, a 12 year old boy in rural 1950's Sweden (Mankell himself??). This continued to be an odd series from the start to the finish. Joel is not all that likable, nor is his father a model parent (by any means)--in this one he starts to proposition women, and seeing his father as competition. His father also lapses into drinking in this one, and you start to see why Joel has this pseudo-adult persona--he had to take it on. I liked this series over all but I would not recommend it for children. Too bleak.
—Catherine Woodman
No this one is not a mystery. Not suer if it's a memoir but it could be. Apparently there are a few about this boy Joel Gustafson. I liked it.What mysteries did you read and did you like them?
—Anna
