Book Review: Blizzard by Marie Vingtras (translated by Jeffrey Zuckerman)

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Ten-year-old Thomas and Bess, the woman was supposed to be looking after him, disappear during a blizzard in the Interior Alaska region. Benedict, the boy’s only family, his neighbors Cole and Clifford and Vietnam War veteran Freeman who has recently relocated to Alaska, brave the elements as they search for Bess and Thomas all the while aware that chances of survival in this weather are slim. Unbeknownst to them, Bess got separated from Thomas after leaving the house with him and is also searching for him. As the narrative progresses, we get to know more about these characters - their past traumas, secrets, and motivations - and it is gradually revealed that the inclement weather isn't the only threat in their midst.

Blizzard by Marie Vingtras (translated by Jeffrey Zuckerman) is an exceptionally well-written novel that I would not hesitate to recommend to those who enjoy character-driven fiction. Despite its short length, this is a heavy read that touches upon several sensitive topics, including PTSD, substance abuse and sexual abuse, among others. The narrative is shared in the first-person POV in well-paced (slower in the beginning but quickens as the narrative progresses), short chapters from the perspectives of Bess, Benedict, Freeman and Cole. Initially, you might question how their individual stories connect but despite the short length of the novel, the trajectory of each of these characters (even the utterly despicable ones) is well-developed and the author skillfully integrates each of their backstories into the present-day narrative without missing a beat, bringing all the threads of this story together for a satisfying ending.

With complex characters, a rugged atmospheric setting, tense and gritty with quite a few surprises along the way, this short novel is a gripping immersive read I finished in one sitting.

Many thanks to ABRAMS Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Blizzard was published on January 23, 2024.

Please note that in addition to the sensitive topics touched upon in the narrative, the story also features instances of behavior and dialogue that are blatantly racist and misogynistic.