Snow in the River

by Carol Ryrie Brink, Mary E. Reed (Foreword by)

Brink's bestselling adult novel, originally published in 1964 (Macmillan), is also the last in her trilogy about northern Idaho and eastern Washington in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

Genres: Historical Fiction

308 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1964

About the author

Carol Ryrie Brink was an American novelist and children’s writer best known for capturing frontier life with warmth, humor, and historical detail. Raised in Idaho after a childhood marked by early family tragedy, she grew up under the care of her grandmother, whose vivid storytelling later inspired her most celebrated book, Caddie Woodlawn, winner of the 1936 Newbery Medal and a lasting classic of American juvenile literature. Educated at the University of Idaho and the University of California, Berkeley, she graduated Phi Beta Kappa before marrying mathematician Raymond W. Brink and settling in Minnesota, where she balanced family life with a prolific writing career. Over several decades she produced more than thirty books for young readers and adults, often drawing on Midwestern landscapes, pioneer history, and her own experiences. Summers spent in rural Wisconsin further enriched the authentic settings of her fiction. In later years she also pursued poetry and painting. Honored by her alma mater and commemorated in her hometown, Brink remains remembered for stories that celebrate independence, resilience, and the imaginative life of childhood.

Reviews

[Rrshively · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like Dancing at the Rascal Fair by Ivan Doig or Edna Ferber's novels, you will like this book. It tells the story of the McBain brothers, immigrants from Scotland, who immigrate to Moscow, Idaho. It is partly told through the eyes of the daughter of one of them. It has joys, sorrows, good choices, and bad choices. It takes place after the initial pioneer period and tells more of the developing of a towns at the turn of the 20th Century, but it is primarily a family saga.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed Carol Brink's books, but this was the first one written for an adult audience that I have read. It is the story of the three McBain brothers who immigrate from Scotland to Moscow, Idaho during the turn of the century (1900). Each brother is searching for a better life but pursue that dream in their own unique way. This is the story of their struggles, accomplishments, and failures over the years and how they played out between each of them. Much of the story is told from the perspective of the oldest brother's daughter, Kit. It is well written and an interesting study in human nature and family relationships. A good saga!

[Goldenrod · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sobering study in humanity.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been on a bit of a Carol Ryrie Brink streak since reading her 'Chain of Hands' which I loved. Snow in the River is considered the most autobiographical of her three novels which include Buffalo Coat and Strangers in the Forest. This was a terrific novel and historically accurate. I haven't read the other two novels but look forward to them in the future because I consider Brink's writing as ageless. That she can write so convincingly from the 19th century up into the 20th must have been a challenge. That she was able to write these stories so much from hearing stories and reliving them through her family members makes me wonder if we don't all have a rich heritage which we dismiss as day to day trivia. If you have any talent at all and you are reading this, write those stories down. They will mean so much in future times. Fortunately Carol Ryrie Brink did have a lot of talent and she left these histories with us!

[Ann Chenhall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy historical novels and this was more interesting since I found myself matching Spokane area locations with the settings of the book. It was good I had read the forward first so I understood this. The 3 Scottish brothers make fascinating characters reflecting the times.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling novel that follows three brothers from Ireland to Idaho in the early 1900s, one of whom is the author's father. I love how the she brings her own narration in as she enters the sequence of events. Not strictly a memoir, but more historical fiction of the time and place. Good one!

[Lelia Struve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book about three brothers and the characters that interact with and around them. It is a story of choices, failure, happiness, loss, love and faith. This is a well-written story and what I think I would read again

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure why but I identified with this book therefore I gave it five stars.

[Eamount]

just fair