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60th out of 65 books
—
12 voters
When the Snow Fell (Joel Gustafsson #3)
Joel Gustafson’s journey toward becoming a man continues.
As it has in the past, the first snow of the year signifies to Joel Gustafson his very own New Year’s Eve. So when the snow begins to fall on a cold November day, Joel gets busy making new resolutions—three, to be exact.
As the winter days pass, life becomes ever more complicated. Joel has questions and the answers d...more
As it has in the past, the first snow of the year signifies to Joel Gustafson his very own New Year’s Eve. So when the snow begins to fall on a cold November day, Joel gets busy making new resolutions—three, to be exact.
As the winter days pass, life becomes ever more complicated. Joel has questions and the answers d...more
Hardcover, 256 pages
Published
August 11th 2009
by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
(first published 1996)
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The third in the trilogy about Joel, a 12 year old boy in rural 1950's Sweden (Mankell himself??). This continued to be an odd series from the start to the finish. Joel is not all that likable, nor is his father a model parent (by any means)--in this one he starts to proposition women, and seeing his father as competition. His father also lapses into drinking in this one, and you start to see why Joel has this pseudo-adult persona--he had to take it on. I liked this series over all but I would n...more
Henning Mankell, the successful adult mystery writer, is trying his hand at the lucrative young adult market. While the writing in When Snow Fell is evocative and beautiful, it is hard to imagine young readers engaging with this book. Additionally, the setting is the 1950s in a small town in northern Sweden, not a sure-fire attention grabber. Thirteen-year-old Joel Gustafson celebrates his own personal New Year’s Eve when the first snowfall of winter comes with resolutions and all. As always, th...more
Thirteen-year-old Jacob lives in small-town 1950s Sweden with his father, a sailor turned logger, in this coming-of-age tale. Jacob is forced to be his "own mother," as he puts it, responsible for the shopping, cooking, and cleaning, as his mother left several years ago. By the end of the story, Jacob has learned a bit about growing up, and a bit about how to still be a kid. Very well written, though the translator's choices seemed odd at some points.
Reviewed by Kira M for TeensReadToo.com
On the first snowfall of the year, 14-year-old Joel always makes his New Year's resolutions.
This year he's made three: live to be 100, patch up his relationship with his father, and see a girl naked.
Life keeps getting in the way, however, of him reaching his goals. His father is a lumberjack who goes on drinking binges and seems unhappy with life. His mother abandoned them years ago. To add to his plate, he's trying to navigate girls, first kisses, bullies,...more
On the first snowfall of the year, 14-year-old Joel always makes his New Year's resolutions.
This year he's made three: live to be 100, patch up his relationship with his father, and see a girl naked.
Life keeps getting in the way, however, of him reaching his goals. His father is a lumberjack who goes on drinking binges and seems unhappy with life. His mother abandoned them years ago. To add to his plate, he's trying to navigate girls, first kisses, bullies,...more
I have been reading a few books from Swedish authors. This is a young adult book, imaginative and dark with the central character seeming more innocent than I expect a thirteen year old to be. Like me he was born in 1945. I also read Italian Shoes by Henning Mankell, a story about an isolated retired doctor. Mankell gives a good sense of location and creates vivid characters.
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When I bought this I didn't realize that it was a children's story and part of a series. Some stories for children appeal to adults. This one didn't appeal to me. I need to read book descriptions more carefully in the future.
I don't think I was the target audience for this book. Joel's quest to see a naked woman didn't really do a lot for me but his relationship with his father and friends felt authentic.
Mankell is one of my favorite writers, but this book was boring.
coming of age...sometimes funny, sometimes sad, mostly not very interesting.
coming of age...sometimes funny, sometimes sad, mostly not very interesting.
This is a Swedish coming of age story. The writing is great and the thoughts and actions of our protagonist are very endearing. Nice read.
I'm enjoying this coming of age series of novels about a young boy growing up at the end of the 1950's in a small town in rural Sweden.
Short coming of age novel about a Swedish boy in a small village during the 1950's. Funny and sad and enjoyable.
A kids book, very do goody. Troublesome child makes good. Hovwever, Mankell writes well enough.
written for teenagers - but a great short read - Scandinavian setting tremendous, and good humour
i enjoyed it big time......
May 21, 2013
November Rain
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Lynn
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marked it as calibre
Apr 24, 2013
Singyi Dukongsone
marked it as to-read
Apr 23, 2013
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review of another edition
Shelves:
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Henning Mankell is an internationally known Swedish crime writer, children's author and playwright. He is best known for his literary character Kurt Wallander.
Mankell splits his time between Sweden and Mozambique. He is married to Eva Bergman, Swedish director and daughter of Ingmar Bergman.
More about Henning Mankell...
Mankell splits his time between Sweden and Mozambique. He is married to Eva Bergman, Swedish director and daughter of Ingmar Bergman.
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“To grow up is to wonder about things; to be grown up is to slowly forget the things you wondered about as a child.”
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