Customer Reviews

Snow in July: a novel

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4 star:		(2)
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I really enjoyed this heart-wrenching tale of a love / hate relationship between two sisters. Erin Mulcahy is the younger sister who is faced with the overwhelming responisbility of rescuing her older, drug-addicted sister and her sister's two young daughters. Although there are some dark moments in this story, Montana really comes alive with Ms. Barbieri's colorful description of a small mining town way past it's heyday. Snow in July is a quick, easy read that'll draw you in from the first page to the last!

I found "Snow in July" to be an absolutely fabulous novel. I have long been an avid reader, having just finished "The Kite Runner" as well as "The Time Traveler's Wife". I found "Snow in July" to be equally entralling. It is a story of love, acceptance, and betrayal as well as a coming of age story for the younger sister finding her place in the world, as well as within her family. Eighteen year old Erin is the narrator of the story. She is an intelligent girl who has been forced to assume the mantle of maturity due to the circumstances of her older sister's drug addiction.

I highly recommend reading "Snow in July". The author, Heather Barbieri, has done a fine job in profiling the different characters. You could really feel the anquish and dispair in their dialogue when they realized what decisions had to be made. While it is a serious subject matter, there are many moments of humor (i.e. the shop owners), and times of joy. I also found the parallels drawn between the town of Butte, Montana and the pitfalls of the older sister very astute. The mined pits marring the hillsides could be equated to Meghan's 'falling off the wagon', so to say.

Thank you.

I just finished reading Heather Barbieri's book, Snow in July. I found it to be a very engaging and accessible look at a family just trying to do the best that they can in difficult circumstances. Although the story has been told many times before, Ms. Barbieri takes us into the family pain through the eyes of the younger sister. This author has a keen eye for looking at sister issues. She has also written a very accessible book. I would be happy giving it as a gift to my eighty some year old mother-in-law but also my adolescent nieces. I think they all would enjoy the compelling story. Some authors beat you over the head with the addiction issues. They are only part of this story about growing up and leaving home. Can we ever really???

Heather Barbieri gives great insight into drug addiction and the effects this has on family life ranging from sibling conflicts to the effects on those born to the addict. The story covers aspects of life from aspirations to that of love both young and old and heart rending decisions any family living with addiction would face. A story that not only will awaken the senses to the individuals early life experiences but to that of a present day affliction felt by many. This story is fictional but well worth the read and should not be missed. I laughed and cryed at many points throughout and a story that should be in any bookworm's permanent collection.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book about a sad subject, addiction. The author draws us into the family dynamics, and leads us to a satisfying,though not definitive conclusion. A completely different type of story from her best seller about the lacemakers ~ or was it??

"Sibling fiction" is now a genre unto itself, and this is certainly a fine new addition. This book is for anyone who has ever resented a sibling, or been frustrated by a mother. In short, it's a book for anyone.