By Michael Cunningham (258 pages)
Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Bookish rating: 4.25
One goes in with high expectations for a novel when its author has won the Pulitzer, especially when that novel was The Hours. And you know what? This novel met my expectations.
The Snow Queen is NOT about Elsa (har har). This is a fantastically complex, multi-layered tale of two brothers, Barrett and Tyler. Barrett, getting over yet another break up, lives with his brother, Tyler, and his wife. One night, Barrett witnesses an inexplicable light that seems godlike. Meanwhile, Tyler toils to write a non-shitty song for his super ill wife.
So, what is the novel ABOUT? Hard to say. I think a lot of readers would zoom in on certain parts more than other. I mean, yeah it's annoyingly hip and inevitably set in New York and there are inevitably no children to distract the characters from their super duper Deep Thoughts, but glib it's-so-hipster aside, Cunningham delivers a character-driven, compelling novel that explores artistic ambition, caregiving, identity, death, and God--and other stuff, too. I read it slowly and thoroughly, deeply enjoyed it. The joy of language and story and character. Loved it. Definitely recommended.
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