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107th out of 693 books
—
849 voters
The Snow Garden
In the darkening chill of winter, three Atherton University freshmen are being mysteriously drawn together by fate, and a compulsion they cannot comprehend. Though they come from vastly differing backgrounds, the college holds the promise of a better life for each of them -- and an opportunity to break away from the anguish and desolation of their former lives. But the pas...more
Paperback, 406 pages
Published
December 30th 2003
by Pocket Star
(first published January 3rd 2002)
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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Young Rice is the progeny of vampire-slash-witch-slash-everythinggoth chronicler Anne Rice. While I am impressed he is not treading the same mucky, overblown ground his mother turns into 4000-page books, I am still not a fan.
There is an excellent premise here, though. A professor’s wife dies of a car accident while he’s sleeping with one of his students. There are some nice curves, also. The wife’s car crashes into the same river a young girl drowned in when the professor was a student. And the...more
There is an excellent premise here, though. A professor’s wife dies of a car accident while he’s sleeping with one of his students. There are some nice curves, also. The wife’s car crashes into the same river a young girl drowned in when the professor was a student. And the...more
Before reading this story, I had never heard of Christopher Rice. I can't say I loved this book but I've decided to give one of his other novels a try.
Concerning this novel, I found myself wondering what the ultimate intention was with this story. Though the story touched on many topics, it lacked real depth in any one of them. As such, this story was about little more than entertainment. The storyline seemed untethered to any real end goal, drifting along in a mildly entertaining dirty, day-ti...more
Concerning this novel, I found myself wondering what the ultimate intention was with this story. Though the story touched on many topics, it lacked real depth in any one of them. As such, this story was about little more than entertainment. The storyline seemed untethered to any real end goal, drifting along in a mildly entertaining dirty, day-ti...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I'm hurriedly reading Rice's books to determine whether or not to attend a function at which he'll be speaking. It's a great excuse to try to read all of someone's books at one quick go (to which I'm grateful he only has five so far).
This book is an improvement over Rice's first book (the writing isn't as clunky as some parts of 'Density', the characters less in number but more finely drawn across the board). The book is mix of genres, though, with the first half being a detailed psychological m...more
This book is an improvement over Rice's first book (the writing isn't as clunky as some parts of 'Density', the characters less in number but more finely drawn across the board). The book is mix of genres, though, with the first half being a detailed psychological m...more
I wanted to like this story more than I did and I really had to wait a few days to mark it as read and give it a review just because I needed to let the story sink in. I'm probably one of the only individuals here who hasn't read many of his mothers books, and the ones I did read, did nothing for me.
But, this isn't about her, this is about the author: Christopher Rice, who I believe has a great start to a wonderful writing career. The one thing that bothered me about this book was the fact that...more
But, this isn't about her, this is about the author: Christopher Rice, who I believe has a great start to a wonderful writing career. The one thing that bothered me about this book was the fact that...more
I want Christopher Rice to be better than he is. And really, from what I've read of his trashy bestsellers, he knows how to crank out a page turner. And this is dirty, trashy fun. It's ridiculous and melodramatic, but in an unintentional sort of a way. And so I gladly demolished it in the space of a couple of days, but in full knowledge that it wasn't really very good at all. These characters are all a little too damaged-and-broken-underneath their Prada-and-sunglasses to be legitimate people, w...more
I quit this pretty quickly after I started. It's his second book and I understand that, I wasn't looking for perfection, but this was just not what I was looking for. It was dry from the get-go and overly sexualized for my taste. I'm not afraid to read about sex, but this just wasn't my style. He's a gay author and he's young and wants everyone to come away with his opinion on things; it was preachy and unrealistic. I do have to point out that the book is not a "gay book" but several gay charac...more
Son of author Anne Rice, I had high hopes for this book. But, it was a struggle to get through. This book is kind of dirty, trashy nonsense. Another reviewer said, "It's ridiculous and melodramatic, but in an unintentional sort of a way. These [mostly gay] characters are all a little too damaged-and-broken-underneath their Prada-and-sunglasses to be legitimate people, which would be totally okay if this was a satire. But it's not." That's a pretty clear depiction - set on a college campus, these...more
Jan 04, 2009
Kathleen Hagen
added it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2008-mysteries-suspense,
2008-audio-books
The Snow Garden, by Christopher Rice, A-minus. Narrated by James Daniels, produced by Brilliance Audio, and downloaded from audible.com.
Atherton College is a prep school for kids in designer jeans and suits, just testing their new independence from their parents, who are still paying the bills. Kathryn, from California, is very serious and analytical and seems very judgmental. Her roommate, April, is an African-American lesbian, much more down to earth than Kathryn. Across the hall is Randall, a...more
Atherton College is a prep school for kids in designer jeans and suits, just testing their new independence from their parents, who are still paying the bills. Kathryn, from California, is very serious and analytical and seems very judgmental. Her roommate, April, is an African-American lesbian, much more down to earth than Kathryn. Across the hall is Randall, a...more
I know that christopher rice can be melodramatic when he writes (which i like most of the time, sometimes it gets ridiculous)and yeah in this book like his last (A Density of Souls)there is so much going on and i kind of lose interest in the initial mystery (the murder or whatever) but i give him a pass on all of his flaws because he truly entertains me with this novel as well as he did with A Density of Souls (not sure about his other ones)
His characters are memorable and beautiful. The atmosph...more
His characters are memorable and beautiful. The atmosph...more
I really enjoyed this book. This book is truly a mystery. The book has a chilling beginning, midlle, and end and will have have you begging for more.Once you start reading that book you just cant put the book down. the greatest part of the book was the end and it was the best part of the book. i want to reccomend this book to my teacher because i know she will love it. Ms.Cepellos, i know you will love this book. The book is written in a very unique way. The author,Christopher Rice,seperated the...more
A very interesting book this little cookie. I love the love triangles and the very big twist at the end.
Throughout the whole book, you never know who to believe or who the real murderer is and who is lying. I absolutely love the suspense and the ambiguity.
I did not like that ALMOST everybody in the book is gay. I of course have nothing against homosexuality, it just caught me off guard and I was happy to see someone who was straight.
Given that the writer is gay himself kind of gives leeway to...more
Throughout the whole book, you never know who to believe or who the real murderer is and who is lying. I absolutely love the suspense and the ambiguity.
I did not like that ALMOST everybody in the book is gay. I of course have nothing against homosexuality, it just caught me off guard and I was happy to see someone who was straight.
Given that the writer is gay himself kind of gives leeway to...more
Gave this book 3 stars because it did make me want to keep on reading it. This was a strange story that involved some college students and a college professor. Lots of buried secrets that slowly are revealed throughout the story. As I read the book, I kept thinking that this would be a movie that probably would do well in today's viewing market. Lots of over the top situations that could lend themselves to an explosive storyline. I'm not saying that the movie would be a big ratings draw but I im...more
Overwritten and unintentionally campy murder mystery set on a northeastern university campus. Has qualities of a YA novel - overwrought emotion, 18 year old protags., fun of sex and drugs coupled with disapproving attitude. Slow all the way through with an over-the top-ending that reveals all kinds of implausible, if not impossible, surprises. The story focuses on gay prostitute and college student Randall Stone and his best friend Kathryn Parker. Randall's involvement with an older married prof...more
So, remember in my blog post about the J.D. Robb mystery I’ve been reading over several trips to the bookstore, rather than buying it, in which I said that her books are almost completely plot- and character-driven (not in those words), but not literary in style? Well, read this book and you’ll immediately see what I mean. Like the Robb mysteries, this book has a strong plot and distinctive characters, but the tone, the writing, the use of language rise above “common” mystery novels to be modern...more
I liked this book. The part about the guy on campus intentionally going around spreading HIV is like a nightmare fantasy / cautionary ghost story myth.
The part I didn't like so much was the over-the-top ending when the college roommate disappears and then (spoiler alert) his body ends up encased in a wax sculpture in some ultra-rich psycho's living room. I was unable to suspend my belief that far. The living room is lush and luxurious and the only thing that my interior decorator friend remember...more
The part I didn't like so much was the over-the-top ending when the college roommate disappears and then (spoiler alert) his body ends up encased in a wax sculpture in some ultra-rich psycho's living room. I was unable to suspend my belief that far. The living room is lush and luxurious and the only thing that my interior decorator friend remember...more
Yes, he is Anne & Stan Rice's son. Yes, he will probably be just as amazing but in his own right. He's found his style and it is just as compelling. The characters and plot development are well beyond his years. I believe he was in his late teens/early 20 when he wrote this. His knowledge of art and literature is impressive. There are some good twists and turns too. Some of the affairs are a little graphic and not in a traditional way. If this bothers you, his books may not be for you.
I find that Christopher Rice's writing to be of great quality, and with an open-mind (as I've never read works of his mother), it is a book that will satisfy any reader's interest. However, it is not a book that will hold a reader's attention for too long , this is because of: information overload. It has taken me a while to digest all the hidden dimensions in each character, and the (sometimes confusing) suggestions from the plot. Rice will lead a reader to a merry-go-round ride, before reveali...more
The Snow Garden is a complex tale of some deeply traumatized individuals and how their lives end up in a messy tangle, all steeped in a college setting of unabashed drinking, sex, and scandals. Christopher Rice--yes, he's the son of the talented "queen of vampires" Anne Rice and the poet Stan Rice--has a writing style that's pleasantly his own, and I'm giving this book a higher rating solely because of the thought and effort he put into his characters. At times it felt like the book was like a s...more
Oh, I had high hopes for this book, since I enjoyed his first so much. And it started out promisingly enough with strong characters and interesting dynamics between them. For almost 200 pages I was absorbed, curious, excited, engaged, trying to figure out how it was all going to pan out, rooting for certain characters--it was good.
Then the cult showed up and people started revealing their weirdness, and it really just got too improbably weird for me. If Rice had kept away from all the murder stu...more
Then the cult showed up and people started revealing their weirdness, and it really just got too improbably weird for me. If Rice had kept away from all the murder stu...more
I read this book as well as A Density of Souls about 8 years ago. Don't remember anything too specific about them but I do have fond memories of reading them, sitting up in bed with a massive mug of tea. Both novels press the same buttons as a good YA novel. Not exactly think-pieces, but entertaining and sorta lurid.
This book is by Anne Rice's son, Christopher Rice. Overall, it was a good book. I liked the twists and turns; the plot is full of lies and deception and makes you want to keep reading.
I'm not sure how old Christopher is (from his picture on the jacket, he looks fairly young), but the book did, at times, seem to be written by an amateur writer. Don't let this dissuade you if you are looking for a fairly quick read.
I'm not sure how old Christopher is (from his picture on the jacket, he looks fairly young), but the book did, at times, seem to be written by an amateur writer. Don't let this dissuade you if you are looking for a fairly quick read.
Dec 01, 2008
Phillip
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
fans of Christopher Rice
I read "Blind Fall" to see if this Rice was really a writer or just trading on mama's name. I found it enthralling and read it twice. I came to have a great empathy for the main characters. But this one was not on the same level. Even by the end, none of the characters had any real depth, and i did not feel any sympathy or attachment to them. Relationships seemed strained and artificial. And the ending was fairly hackneyed.
It was my hope that Rice could devliver again after Density came out, but unfortunately fate had something else in mind. It was an obvious sign of his departure toward crime/drama with a gay twist, but it wasn't something expected. That said, it was, in its own right, an interesting book. It speaks volumes that one of my favorites was its predecessor and I can't remember what exactly happens in this book.
Interesting- Rice's ability of visual description and dropping the clues to the reader throughout the entire book is astounding. He dangles the information in front of you and you're left with always wanting more. None of the characters are especially likable once you find out their secrets and pasts, but Rice does have you interested in each and every one of their lives as you unravel the mysteries.
Read as part of my What's In A Name reading challenge.
I really liked the other book I read by Rice ('The Density of Souls'). It combined engaging characters, with a strong evocation of place, and nice gothic vibe but based firmly in reality.
I didn't like 'The Snow Garden' very much. The snow was about as good as it got. The characters were all highly irritating to me, they felt cliched and fake, as perhaps they were meant to be.
Rice had tried to pack too many twists and turns in, each feeling s...more
I really liked the other book I read by Rice ('The Density of Souls'). It combined engaging characters, with a strong evocation of place, and nice gothic vibe but based firmly in reality.
I didn't like 'The Snow Garden' very much. The snow was about as good as it got. The characters were all highly irritating to me, they felt cliched and fake, as perhaps they were meant to be.
Rice had tried to pack too many twists and turns in, each feeling s...more
CONTAINS SPOILERS: I am saddened to read that this is better than his previous book. I agree with those that say this book was a melding pot of many themes and it didn't pull them together successfully. HIV, trauma of being an orphan, trauma of sexual assault, exploring sexuality, cults, separating from parents, etc, etc, etc. Really seemed like it was going to tie together well, but was just too much!!
This novel shifts focus to the Northeast, a small college town. It's a break from the other novels in that there is no one from the South. However, the hallmark of Rice's writing style seems to be the archetypical Gothic Tennessee Williams style family that has a lot of problems. There is no such thing as normal or well-adjusted here, making it that much easier to read.
seems to be mixed reviews on this one... I personally thought it was a compelling novel. I was also about 19 or 20 at the time and I LIVE in the American North East so I guess I related to the setting. I have never read any of Anne Rice's novels and I don't intend to. With that said, I thought The Snow Garden was a pretty well written, if not slightly melodramatic book. The gay overtones are a little much at times- Definitely a page turner.. also, prior to reading this book I had no idea who H....more
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Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Christopher Travis Rice is an American author. Rice has written three best-selling novels: A Density of Souls, The Snow Garden, and Light Before Day. His next book, Blind Fall, will be published in 2008 by Charles Scribner's Sons.
Christoper Rice comes from a family of author...more
More about Christopher Rice...
Christopher Travis Rice is an American author. Rice has written three best-selling novels: A Density of Souls, The Snow Garden, and Light Before Day. His next book, Blind Fall, will be published in 2008 by Charles Scribner's Sons.
Christoper Rice comes from a family of author...more
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