Book Review / "Flowers in the Snow" by Danielle Stewart

Flowers in the Snow by Danielle Stewart

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


“Flowers in the Snow” by Danielle Stewart is the first instalment of the five-book Edenville Series. It is a lovely read that I overall enjoyed.

It turned out a lighter read than could be expected considering the heavy theme of racism and segregation in the American South back in the 60ies. I picked up this book because one of the most engrossing courses I had at the university was the one read by an American guest lecturer on the history of segregation of the black population. It made such a profound impression on me that I vividly remember it twenty years after I listened to that course. There are pages in every country’s history that remain somewhat shrouded to outsiders. Certainly, there are books and movies and articles, but still, if it isn’t something mass media and Hollywood determinedly focus the world’s attention on, whole layers of time remain as if covered by fog. Everyone knows what happened in general but doesn’t really know the details.

“Flowers in the Snow” is set at the time when the segregation laws were being gradually rescinded, but those opposed to this turn in politics tried to prevent it by refusing to comply with the new regulation. Only when she was nine, did Betty start to learn that some people were treated differently than others only because of the colour of their skin.

Betty is a wonderful character. She is someone you’d love to have among your acquaintances. She is one of those rare people who’d not only feed you and listen to your troubles, but who will help you to change your life so it is trouble-free.

We meet Betty and her extended family when they are having dinner together. And for Betty, extended family means something else than for most of us. In her words, “That’s the lesson of my life; family is who you decide to love, not necessarily who you’re related to.” Betty has gathered around her those she’s helped over the years and whom she considers her family. “I am the flame and they are the moths. Some people may call that a curse, but for me, it’s been a blessing.”

She received the letter she’d been dreading to receive for a long time. Now, when it has arrived, she is afraid to read it. Even though she believes she knows what she’ll read there. The emotions she feels knowing what news she is about to learn stirs the memories of her past she never wanted to revisit. But, just like for her, the people gathered in her hospitable home are the closest in the world, for them, she is the dearest person too. They know her well and feel her distress. And so, after some persuasion, Betty’s family convince her to tell them about the times that formed her character and made her into the generous and unique person they all love and respect.

“The funny thing about life, dear, is you don’t know what you don’t know.” Betty says, trying to explain how, until she was nine, she had no idea how powerful the Ku Klux Klan was in the little town in North Carolina where she was born. I can relate to that notion deeply, for when I talk to people from other countries and continents about the late Soviet era and the early 90s here in Latvia – the time of my childhood and teenage years – they say they had no idea what it was really like.

Betty tells her family a story of how she became friends with a black girl and her family and how that family changed the way she saw the world, and, ultimately, the course of her life.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this review, despite the difficult topic the book is centred around, the story felt a little too lightweight to make me feel the horrors of those times, so to speak, with my skin. There are gut-wrenching episodes in the book, but even they felt somewhat toned down. I think, though, that for this very reason, this is a good book for younger – late teens, early twenties – readers to learn about racism and segregation.

Although I don’t mind them in general, the cliffhanger at the end, this time, was a drawback for me. I would have appreciated the book more if the story was more wrapped up.

I don’t plan to continue with this series at the moment or anytime soon. Even so, I imagine that I’d enjoy immersing myself in this heartfelt series sometime when I have more time to simply enjoy binge-reading a cosy but now shallow saga. If you are in the mood for a story that will pull at your heartstrings but only gently and are ready to dive into the life stories of a versatile set of characters, the Edenville Series is the right choice for you.






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Flowers in the Snow