The Snow Garden

Rating:
Summary: a withered garden
Review: Rice's second book, The Snow Garden, pales in comparison to A Density of Souls. The author starts with several numerous characters (Katheryn, Jesse, Tim, Randall and DR. Eberman) trying desperately to survive the past that has scarred and/or changed them and in the process, solve a murder. The story starts to lose its edgy darkness and sinister intent as it progresses from art theory to cult; creating a bad soap opera full of drama, drama and yes, even more drama. The real flower in this withered garden is Katheryn, who helps the book immeasurably, especailly with her past demons and the incident with her ex-boyfriend Jono, which I found more disturbing then the main storyline itself. At, the end of the book Rice says he wrote this book in transition and my only hope is that he transcends to better writing, which after reading A Density of Souls, I know he is capable of.

Rating:
Summary: A Remarkable Second Novel
Review: Henry James was no fan of Charles Dickens, calling his novels "baggy monsters" because of the improbable linkages between characters and events. But Dickens was not a psychological novelist. He was looking for larger, perhaps mythic, truths that made such linkages possible. James, on the other hand, was examining specific characters and trying to understand what made them tick. Not much happens in a Henry James novel. Everything is interior, the ruminations of the characters as they try to make sense of themselves in the world.

Christoper Rice, in "The Snow Garden" (and to a somewhat lesser extent in "A Density of Souls") seems to be able to integrate these two novelistic traditions. He is extremely character-intensive, sensitive to the feelings and revelations that ignite James characters, while at the same time weaving an intricate tale worthy of a "Bleak House" or "Our Mutual Friend."

I actually prefer the "The Snow Garden" because it seemed less formulaic. In "A Density of Souls," I think Rice was more self-consciously writing a "mystery" than in "The Snow Garden," in which he seems more interested in the interaction of characters first, and the "cliff-hanger" second. Rhetorical devices such as setting up the questions to be answered in the next chapter at the end of the preceding one seem less strained and overused.

But both of these books are great reading experiences, layered with complexity, unexpected sensitivity, and an almost lyrical prose devoid of cliches and weary metaphors.

I wasn't expecting to like these books. I'm not a big fan of Anne Rice. I was pleasantly surprised, and look forward to his next novel.

Rating:
Summary: Yawn ... his second novel. And it shows.
Review: What happened between "A Density of Souls" and "The Snow Garden"?? Rice mentions in his acknowledgements that he was writing this book "during a time of transition in my life..." - boy, I guess.

This is a story that could easily have been told in about half the pages it took. The story drags and lags and uses up far too much paper in unneccessary character exposition.

The story line is interesting, don't get me wrong. I finished the book and was not disappointed by the twisted ending, but the story takes a good, solid 300 pages to even get moving - by the time it has, you're just simply looking forward to the last page.

Finally, I was shocked at the number of mispellings and other gramatical errors that made it past the editors (in the hardcover edition, anyway.) This book was obviously a rush job. Hopefully Christopher will get through this bout of youthful prattling and get back to what we know he CAN do based on his first novel.

Rating:
Summary: Not worth the time
Review: This is one of the worst books I have ever read. It's boring, the story line was terrible, and there were numerous grammar mistakes (at least 100).

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Second Book
Review: This book really was a great read. I had a very hard time putting it down. The character development is fantastic. If you liked his first book you are sure to like this one!

Rating:
Summary: Not a Garden Delight
Review: Workable, but tedious novel. Characters are not well developed and the plot is tedious and often unnecessarily confusing. Uneven story line with irrelevant sidebars. Needs a good edit.

Rating:
Summary: A Good Read
Review: My first encounter with Christopher Rice left me feeling like the money was well spent. Not the most prolific writer, he certainly has a way with words and I found myself drawn in by the story and the characters. At times it was difficult to discern which was present day and what was a flashback, but I still kept on.

The plot devices are often sketchy, and the characters seem very stereotypical, but it's worth the money if you can find it in paperback. I am inclined to pick up the first novel and see how it compares, and also to see what he is able to do in the future.

Rating:
Summary: Horrible
Review: Incredibly T...E...D...I...O...U...S... I have seldom had so much trouble finishing a book. I was just so bored. I don't deny that college students have lots of pointless, meandering conversations about philosophy and the future. I just don't care to read them word for word. Then there was the plot, which just fizzled. Once you find out what happens to the characters, you'll not only be confused, you just won't care. Save your money and read something by Anne Rice instead.

Rating:
Summary: Misleading Book Description
Review: When I read the back of the book I expected a mystery novel not a novel where almost every character is gay and the overriding theme of the book is not a mystery as advertised but rather, the homosexual exploits of the characters. This book should have been in the "gay & lesbian" section instead of "fiction". I have nothing against gays & lesbians in books or anywhere else, however, I think that when the topic is so prevalent throughout the book, there should be some small indication on the book jacket description.

Rating:
Summary: A Stunning, Haunting, Gothic Novel of Spellbinding Force!
Review: Christopher Rice, now in his early twenties,who wrote "A Density of Souls" possibly the greatest novel of all time, returns to bring you "The Snow Garden"

"The Snow Garden" is the story of three college friends, each from a diffrent place in the world, who's pasts return to haunt them. Kathryn, a hard working student with a confusing past she does not quite understand is deeply dedicated to her best friend Randall. Randall, a explosive and intriging character, is presented as a gay, normal looking, passive young man whos's life begins to unravel when he becomes involved in a dangerous affair with a colledge proffessor. Yet, Randall is by far the most mysterious character and right when you think you got him frigured out, you are agaped at what you discover. Last, Randall's perpiscuious roommate Jesse, who's sexual preference is never quite made clear, becomes involved in a complex plot that only his friends may be able to save him from. The characters alone are worth the read but the chilling and haunting environment also helps make this book so enjoyable and inticing. With an ending you will never forget, "The Snow Garden" is a mystery that will chill its self into your mind and stay thier forever.