‘It won’t be long now,’ Idun said.
‘You don’t have to arrange anything for me,’ I said.
Idun smiled.
‘Of course we do,’ Idun said.
‘No, it’s fine,’ I said.
‘Are you afraid it will be too much fuss?’
I gave a slight nod.
‘Are you in a lot of pain?’
Another nod.
‘But don’t tell dad anything,’ I said.
It’s winter, and it’s snowing, but not everyone is out playing in the snow. Some can’t do anything but stand at the window looking out at the snow crystals. Some doesn’t want their dad to know that it hurts, even though dad knows that they’re ill, seriously ill. Some are about to celebrate their birthday. Some are soon going to die.
Snow Angel is the kind of book that becomes richer when it’s shared with others. There is much to ponder for anyone who wishes to take death seriously. Although the novel is introduced for young adults, it will likely work just as well for reading aloud to children in elementary school age. The atmosphere in the hospital never feels heavy. Yet, it doesn’t let go of the reader easily.
Bergens Tidende
Quick to read but hard to forget. A book that both comforts and touches. (…) This is literature on a completely different level than what I encountered in my sentimental devouring youth.
Dagbladet
Sometimes the most low-voiced stories are the best at producing great emotions … Totland’s low-voiced and snow-filled young adult novel is a quiet storm – a raw and gripping read.
Barnebokkritikk
If you are to read only one YA novel this year it should by Angel in the Snow by Anders Totland.
Framtida
Angel in the Snow is well written, precise, easy to read and subtly illustrated by Rune Markhus … Totland’s crystal of a novel made me cry and that is quite alright.
Hardanger Folkblad
