Book Haven Review: Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice

Introduction

• Host: Kim
• Book: Moon of the Crusted Snow
• Author: Waubgeshig Rice
• Genre: Adult Fiction

Context

• The review is timely as Kim is experiencing cold weather similar to the book's setting.

Plot Overview

• Main Character: Evan, a First Nations Anishinaabe man
• Setting: An isolated village in northern Ontario
• Plot:
  • Cable goes out, followed by cell phones, phone lines, and power.
  • The community faces dwindling food supplies, rising death toll, and panic.
  • The greatest threat emerges from within the community.

Themes and Style

• Pacing: Slow-moving, with a gradual build-up of anxiety.
• Writing Style: Matter-of-fact, immersive.
• Themes:
  • Traditional Anishinaabe ways and rituals (e.g., smudging ceremony, hunting practices).
  • Generational shift away from traditional teachings and language.

Personal Reflections

• Kim draws parallels between her father's experiences in the Arctic and the book's setting.
• Discussion of extreme cold weather challenges (e.g., power loss, freezing pipes, constant vehicle operation).

Characters

• Evan: Protagonist; mid-20s Anishinaabe man.
• Nicole: Evan's girlfriend; they have two children.
• Scott: Antagonist; a large white man from the south.
  • Initially claims to respect community norms, but tensions escalate.

Critique and Rating

• Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.
• Positive aspects: Engaging story, informative about Anishinaabe culture, built tension effectively.
• Advice: Potential readers should research to see if the book fits their interests.

Conclusion

• Appreciation for Canadian, particularly Anishinaabe Canadian, authors.
• Anticipation of reading more similar novels.
• Closing: Encouragement to keep reading and join future reviews.