Dolors's Reviews > Snow
Snow (St. John Strafford, #2)
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It had been ages since I last read a detective novel and I rediscovered the genre with one of my favorite writers ever, versatile Banville. I felt at home with his familiar narrative; paused, suspenseful and refined, so reminiscent of his anti-hero’s latest books which I venerate.
This time, the reader walks beside a taciturn but young inspector in a misty Irish village where a disturbing murder has taken place, a Catholic priest has appeared severely mutilated in one of the great manors of the area. The aristocratic family was there the night of the murder and they seem to be performing a part in a twisted play when the inspector starts questioning each one of them.
As it is to be expected in this kind of novels, every character in scene appears to have reasons to have killed the Father and the reader is swirled around aimlessly but not annoyingly as one feels always congenial in Banville’s expert hands.
It is Christmas in this quiet village and the dense fog soaks its days and nights along with the mood of the reader, who witnesses an almost imperceptible change of tone in Banville’s narration whenever snow is brought up. Such cold in some people’s hearts. White snowflakes, white landscape, white lies. Who is the liar here?
I did enjoy the bashful air of Banville’s young inspector. Also, the equally sexy and menacing presence of the femme fatales who hover around him, wanting to be burnt like moths to a scorching light. The story is built in the classic way with plenty of elegant pauses that say way more than unnecessary words. Cadence is one of Banville’s strong points and it might be the best of this book.
My only reservation is the lack of element of surprise. I wasn’t able to keep at bay my growing disappointment when I turned the last page and realized there wasn’t any shocking turn of events. I had actually spotted the murderer halfway through the novel and was waiting for the revelatory detail that would turn the story upside down for me. It never arrived.
Still, this was fun to read. Easy, stylish and perfect for this time of the year.
Banville is Banville and he is always a pleasure to read, with no exception.
“I was given a free ARC of this novel by a published via NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.”
This time, the reader walks beside a taciturn but young inspector in a misty Irish village where a disturbing murder has taken place, a Catholic priest has appeared severely mutilated in one of the great manors of the area. The aristocratic family was there the night of the murder and they seem to be performing a part in a twisted play when the inspector starts questioning each one of them.
As it is to be expected in this kind of novels, every character in scene appears to have reasons to have killed the Father and the reader is swirled around aimlessly but not annoyingly as one feels always congenial in Banville’s expert hands.
It is Christmas in this quiet village and the dense fog soaks its days and nights along with the mood of the reader, who witnesses an almost imperceptible change of tone in Banville’s narration whenever snow is brought up. Such cold in some people’s hearts. White snowflakes, white landscape, white lies. Who is the liar here?
I did enjoy the bashful air of Banville’s young inspector. Also, the equally sexy and menacing presence of the femme fatales who hover around him, wanting to be burnt like moths to a scorching light. The story is built in the classic way with plenty of elegant pauses that say way more than unnecessary words. Cadence is one of Banville’s strong points and it might be the best of this book.
My only reservation is the lack of element of surprise. I wasn’t able to keep at bay my growing disappointment when I turned the last page and realized there wasn’t any shocking turn of events. I had actually spotted the murderer halfway through the novel and was waiting for the revelatory detail that would turn the story upside down for me. It never arrived.
Still, this was fun to read. Easy, stylish and perfect for this time of the year.
Banville is Banville and he is always a pleasure to read, with no exception.
“I was given a free ARC of this novel by a published via NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.”
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Reading Progress
November 1, 2020
– Shelved
November 3, 2020
–
30.26%
"Nowadays, he saw behind the birdsong and the blossom only the endless and bloody struggle for dominance and survival."
page
92
November 6, 2020
–
Started Reading
November 8, 2020
–
68.09%
"I'm not sure that I did decide – I’m not sure anyone decides anything. It seems to me we drift, and that all our decisions are made in retrospect."
page
207
November 15, 2020
–
93.09%
"He felt at once ridiculously young, a sort of monstrous child, and at the same time hopelessly old."
page
283
November 22, 2020
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-23 of 23 (23 new)
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Junta
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Dec 06, 2020 02:34AM
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Hope you are doing ok there in Sunny Spain !
I love Banville, but don't really read detective fiction and haven't tried his. I guess I don't want to taint him in my mind.
Anyway, I hope you and your family are keeping well and that you enjoy the festive season.
Happy New Year, Junta. Forgive my belated response, it's been hectic around here this past month. And yes! Banville is one of my favorite writers and the fact that I hadn't read any of his detectivesque novels was something I had to ammend, and now it's done I don't regret having invested some time in the task. He is and always will be a pleasure to read, I guess the genre is not exactly my cup of tea. Cheers to you and yours, I trust you are doing okay.
Thanks for your comment, Henry, and happy new year! I think you would enjoy Banville's detective books, he was originally known for this genre and his other books always keep an element of mystery in them, even if there are no murders in scene. But if you appreciate good writing, excellent setting and Irish atmosphere, this is for you! :)
I hope you are doing well, my friend. I miss my time around the page...
Thanks, Ilse! I couldn't go by without my yearly dose of Banville, hehe...he is an author I won't ever get tired of reading even if the genre and this particular book wasn't exactly my cup of tea. As always, I meet your comment with joy and gratefulness, hoping that this year will come with loads of health and more time to read and to spend with my GR friends *wistful thinking, I know, but still, an objective I aim to achieve* :)
Hope you are fine, my friend.
Oh Candi, then you are in for a treat, I am sure. Banville is a great writer, one I greatly admire, and knowing the kind of sensitive writer you are, I am sure you'll appreciate his subtle, elegant style. I hope you are fine and forgive my late response; work, small children and a global epidemic haven't helped my reading habits this year ;P
Thanks, Barbara! I hope you enjoy it.
Hope you are doing ok there in Sunny Spain !"
Oh Jaidee...it's freezing in Spain at the moment, almost snowing on the coast, see the irony here? ;P
I hope you are fine and coping with this elongated situation of social distancing. Luckily for us readers, we never get bored at home :)
I love Banville, but don't really read detective fiction and haven't tr..."
Hi Cecily, we are fine, busy (you know how it is with toddlers) but fine. I wouldn't have picked this book myself hadn't I seen it in NetGalley. The temptation was too strong. I don't think I will pick any of his other detective novels, but I don't regret having invested time in this one. As I said, Banville is always Banville :)
I hope you are fine and digesting this difficult year while getting ready for what is coming (hopefully, we'll live a gradual improvement of the situation).
Deea! Hello! thanks for the message.
You get it, exactly. This was not my favorite Banville, but still, it was a good book and I enjoyed my time with it. The thing is that I don't have so much time to read these days and I try to pick my books carefully, Banville can't never be a wrong choice, you see.
Ironically, I am now stuck with a book that I am not connecting with, but I still haven't thrown in the towel as I am only at the beginning, so I might still change my mind about it...
Hope you are fine and that this year will bring you much health and books to feel at home with.
Beautiful review - ( and beautiful ‘you’)"
Thanks a bunch Elyse. You do know how to liven up my day!
It sounds from your review and others' comments that I need to read more Banville!
Happy New Year!
Exactly my feeling, the book was ok, but I couldn't help comparing it with other novels by Banville. He is a sublime writer and I can't recommend him enough, I am sure you are in for a treat, even though his narrators are quite controversial and not to every reader's taste, I will be curious to know what you make of them!
Happy New Year to you as well.