Peter's Reviews > Snow
Snow (St. John Strafford, #2)
by
by
Shroud
A deeply attentive plot that is clever and watchful through the characters that are so wonderfully drawn. There are many subtle nuances that enable John Banville to play with scenarios that are intriguing to observe, particularly the relationship between the preeminent catholic church in Ireland and the protestant citizens that tended to hold positions of wealth and standing. The imagery of a landscape covered in snow provides a very intriguing analogy with a blanket of cover concealing crimes, lies and secrets. Under the unbroken whiteness lies the dark reality of what the normal ground looks like.
Detective Inspector St John Strafford (with an R) is dispatched to Osborne Manor to investigate the murder and mutilation of a catholic priest. Father Tom Lawless was found dead in the library, in a pool of blood with his genitals removed, and where the body has been respectfully repositioned with the blood around the body mopped up. There are several contrasting themes at play throughout the novel, none more glaring than the catholic-protestant wariness and how it adds to suspicion and motives around everyone. Strafford is a protestant detective in the catholic dominated police force and Colonel Osborne is the protestant owner of Osborne Manor and its estate. The influence of the Catholic Archbishop is considerable and the body does not remain local in Wexford but driven to Dublin for autopsy.
A police crime-investigation into the murder and mutilation of a priest in Ireland – I wonder what the priest could have been guilty of to warrant such a reaction? It seems that once Ireland emerged from the controlling societal influence of the catholic church, it opened the flood gates for stories that shone the light on so many dark crimes from within the church.
Snow is a different type of book from other John Banville books I've read, and I felt his wonderful literary ability and careful development of characters and backdrop kept the pace of this story slightly subdued - it could not be described as a pacey thriller. The character development creates several fascinating personalities and relationships, particularly DI Strafford, and I did fully enjoy the Osborne family. The multiple contrasting layers of mistrust, intrigue, allure, disguise and peculiar behaviour all add to a mysterious murder hunt.
I would like to thank Harlequin Trade Publishing, Hanover Square Press and NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC in return for an honest review.
A deeply attentive plot that is clever and watchful through the characters that are so wonderfully drawn. There are many subtle nuances that enable John Banville to play with scenarios that are intriguing to observe, particularly the relationship between the preeminent catholic church in Ireland and the protestant citizens that tended to hold positions of wealth and standing. The imagery of a landscape covered in snow provides a very intriguing analogy with a blanket of cover concealing crimes, lies and secrets. Under the unbroken whiteness lies the dark reality of what the normal ground looks like.
Detective Inspector St John Strafford (with an R) is dispatched to Osborne Manor to investigate the murder and mutilation of a catholic priest. Father Tom Lawless was found dead in the library, in a pool of blood with his genitals removed, and where the body has been respectfully repositioned with the blood around the body mopped up. There are several contrasting themes at play throughout the novel, none more glaring than the catholic-protestant wariness and how it adds to suspicion and motives around everyone. Strafford is a protestant detective in the catholic dominated police force and Colonel Osborne is the protestant owner of Osborne Manor and its estate. The influence of the Catholic Archbishop is considerable and the body does not remain local in Wexford but driven to Dublin for autopsy.
A police crime-investigation into the murder and mutilation of a priest in Ireland – I wonder what the priest could have been guilty of to warrant such a reaction? It seems that once Ireland emerged from the controlling societal influence of the catholic church, it opened the flood gates for stories that shone the light on so many dark crimes from within the church.
Snow is a different type of book from other John Banville books I've read, and I felt his wonderful literary ability and careful development of characters and backdrop kept the pace of this story slightly subdued - it could not be described as a pacey thriller. The character development creates several fascinating personalities and relationships, particularly DI Strafford, and I did fully enjoy the Osborne family. The multiple contrasting layers of mistrust, intrigue, allure, disguise and peculiar behaviour all add to a mysterious murder hunt.
I would like to thank Harlequin Trade Publishing, Hanover Square Press and NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC in return for an honest review.
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Reading Progress
April 19, 2020
– Shelved
April 19, 2020
– Shelved as:
to-read
April 19, 2020
– Shelved as:
netgalley
April 19, 2020
– Shelved as:
literary-fiction
August 18, 2020
–
Started Reading
August 22, 2020
–
Finished Reading
August 26, 2020
– Shelved as:
crime
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Richard (on hiatus)
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Aug 27, 2020 07:30PM
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That's why I took away a star, it didn't completely work and yet I love John Banville. I still enjoyed the book though. Hopefully, I'll get it finished soon. Thanks!!
I was looking forward to this book after reading your review, Beata and we seem to have a similar view of this one. Thanks!!
Interested to see what you think of this one, Ceecee. No surprises :):)
I am so intrigued by your spectacular review!
Thank you very much, Paromjit and as always I'm looking forward to seeing what you thought. :):)
Thank you very much, Maureen, really appreciated. :):)
Oh you wee sweet talker, Dita. 😂 Thank you so much for your kind comment. :):)
Thank you so much, Shruti, really appreciated. He is a great author and ahem, Irish. I hope you enjoy it if you get a chance. :):)
It's very well written Pat and he does create great images and brings out the dark side of the story. Thank you very much for your kind words, Pat. :):)
It was/is a disturbing situation where religious figures with their appearance of godliness commit the most atrocious crimes. Nothing new in many religions but under the white cloak is a dark reality. I'm chuffed that it perked your ears. Thank you for your lovely comment, Ilse. :):)
I think you will love this one Jan and funny I was thinking of you when I was reading the latest book as I know you love character-driven stories. Thank you for your very kind words. :):)
He is a great writer, Barbara and it's very clear again in this book. Thanks and take care!! :):)
Thank you very much, Mary Beth, really appreciated. :):)
I enjoy his writing too, Laysee and he is great at characterisation. I wasn't completely blown away with this one as I thought I may. Thanks for the kind comment, Laysee. :):)
I made the comment that nowadays writing about Ireland when the story involves a priest you're almost waiting for the paedophile expose. It is the most despicable of crimes but it now paints all priests as such, and that isn't true either. The religious divide is another trope that airs in Irish stories and I do agree there is so so so much more to Ireland. Like its great reviewers 😉😂.
Subdued? Good. Christine Falls was also subdued and that greatly appealed to me.
Subdued? Good. Christine Falls was also subdued and that greatly appealed to me."
Thank you so much Lizp and I agree he is such a wonderful writer. I think you will enjoy this one. Take care. :):)
I haven't read any of his books under the Benjamin Black pen name but well spotted and that's a great heads up to check out. I wonder why the change then?
Thanks very much for the kind words, Lizp. :):)
I was told today that the Australian release of Snow has been put back to 3 November, so I have a wait ahead of me to read it.
I was told today that the Australian release of Snow has been put back to 3 November, so I ..."
I just bought it thanks to your recommendation and I look forward to reading it. Bummer about delay. I hope you enjoy it when you get to it. :):)
That is really really nice of you to say Debbie and I truly appreciate it. I'm gonna print your comment and put it on my wall 😉 :):)
Thank you very much, Barbara. I believe JB captured the religious antagonism really well in this story - letting it simmer and influence aspects without dominating the plot.
I think you may be right about this one being much more than a thriller. It's not the typical fast-paced catch the killer version. If you enjoy JB then I'm sure you will enjoy this one, Cecily. Thanks!!