What makes a family? That's what twelve-year-old Nicky Dillon wonders after she and her widowed father discover a wailing abandoned baby in the snow-filled woods near their New Hampshire home. Through the days that follow, the Dillons and an unexpected visitor who soon turns up at their door-a young woman evidently haunted by her own terrible choices-face a thicket of decisions, each seeming to carry equal possibilities of heartbreak and redemption. Writing with all the emotional resonance that has drawn millions of readers around the world to her fiction, Anita Shreve unfolds in Light on Snow a tender and surprising novel about love and its consequences.
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"Anything Anita Shreve [Anita Shreve] has ever written has moved me. I am thrown into the storyline because of her writing skills. No other writer has ever been able to make me see what is being written. I can picture each character, house, town, etc as though there are photos on the side. There's just something about her writing. I get involved in the story and the characters. When there's a new Anita Shreve book, I get ready for a sleepless night because I can't put the book down."
— Meaghan (4 out of 5 stars)
“A well-drawn microcosm of adolescence.”
— Washington Post“Shreve’s characters are sympathetic without being pitiable, and her prose remains deceptively simple and eloquent throughout.”
— Publishers Weekly“Beautifully developed characters.”
— AudioFile“Shreve’s expert pacing produces a fast read that will more than satisfy her many fans.”
— Booklist" Loved this book! A mystery with lots of heart! "
— Elsie, 2/15/2014" I liked it, but didn't love it. I enjoyed the narrator of the story, but not the plot. "
— Renee, 2/14/2014" I enjoyed this more than the Pilot's Wife. It was very touching and simple. "
— Lisa, 2/14/2014" I didn't care for this book. Boring. "
— Jeannine, 2/14/2014" This is a page turning fast read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. "
— Lucile, 2/11/2014" Such an easy read. "
— Keri-lyn, 2/5/2014" A teenage girl and her father, living in New Hampshire after a family tragedy in New York, get involved with a woman who apparently abandons her baby in the snow behind their house. You can certainly feel the chill of a NH winter. "
— Yak, 2/2/2014" Eight books left to reach my goal. I really liked this book. Read it in 24 hours. Went back to the library and checked out four more of her books. "
— Chris, 2/2/2014" So far so good. At least this book is keeping my interest unlike the other 4 I've started. "
— Brenda, 2/1/2014" Touched me somehow. "
— Adeem, 1/30/2014" Entertaining and quick. Story of a father and his 12yo daughter who lost her mother and younger sister. They move from NYC to a remote part of New Hampshire. They find a baby in the woods and eventually meet the mother - who had been told her baby was dead. "
— Erin, 1/27/2014" This was a bookclub pick and was a nice, quick, easy read with not much depth. It showed more promise than it actually delivered. I enjoy all of her books, some more, some less. This one was a little less but still a good little story that I'm glad I read. "
— Pam, 1/25/2014" It was ok. Just ok. As indeed I find pretty much all Anita Shreve's writing. An easy, quick read. Just don't expect much more than that. "
— Charlotte, 1/19/2014" 3.5 stars. Good story, quick read. "
— Heidi, 1/19/2014" Read in 1 day.....really enjoyed this....what makes a family? Likeable characters... "
— Dimitra, 1/17/2014" Interesting psychological look at how finding a baby in the woods changes a relationship between a man and his daughter. If you like happy endings, it doesn't exactly have one, though... "
— Terrie, 1/16/2014" Slow pace "
— Runningt, 1/16/2014" This is a wonderful story about a family that is dealing with a tremendous tragedy. Finding a baby deep in the woods during a snowy day seems to finally bring about some closure. This is a story that returns to me again and again. The narrative is haunting but the untimate message is positive. "
— Denise, 1/16/2014" Not as good as her other books. "
— Macey, 1/12/2014" read: 3.5, 3.5, 3.5, 3.5, 4, 4 "
— Bookclub, 1/12/2014" I got caught up in the dreams and hopes of this 12 year old girl - a quick read with solid characters. Touching. "
— Maureen, 12/31/2013" I liked it, but didn't love it. I enjoyed the narrator of the story, but not the plot. "
— Renee, 12/27/2013" I would have liked more depth from the characters...it was like pulling teeth to get to know them. In this type of book I want to know them so well by the end that I will miss our everyday encounters. Still a good read. "
— Teresa, 12/26/2013" I've given this 2 stars but it's probably worth 2.5. Not enough for 3 though - although it was very readable, told through the eyes of a twelve year old girl, the ending was disappointing for me, and I didn't enjoy it as much as other books I've read from the same author. "
— Shirley, 12/16/2013" Nice easy read - but predictble. "
— Carmel, 12/12/2013" A quick easy enjoyable read. "
— Marta, 12/5/2013" She is a very good writer! "
— Theresa, 11/11/2013" *shudder* "
— Carolineâ‹, 11/3/2013" Having had a couple of total strike outs with Shreve, it was nice to find one that absorbed me again. I listened to it on audio, and got totally caught up in it as I drove up to the mountains for a visit there. The characters were interesting, the interactions well done. Tragic and hopeful at once. "
— bookczuk, 11/1/2013" Quite like Jodi Picoult in style. "
— Sarah, 10/22/2013" Slow pace "
— Runningt, 7/16/2013" 3.5 stars, really. I liked this book alot -- different. But I didn't really like the ending, so not 4 stars. "
— Mary, 6/1/2013" A little slow, but very moving. "
— Bobbi, 5/12/2013" I wasn't expecting much of this book but I did get caught up in the story quickly and it held my interest. I enjoyed the dynamics between the characters and within themselves in tragic circumstances. "
— Kendra, 5/7/2013" This was my least favorite for some reason, I almost didn't read it, but my bookclub chose it, it's worth reading especially if you are a Anita Shreve fan! "
— Merty, 5/5/2013" I just completed Light in the Snow. What a disappointment! The book was redundant to a flaw. Anita Shreve honed in on the same story lines over and over again. This short tale should have been even shorter. The character development was minimalistic and the reader came away with very little. "
— Suesnews, 2/17/2013" I really enjoyed this book, very well written and would read again anytime! Perfect rainy day read! "
— Janine, 2/7/2013" 3.5 stars. Quick read, but tough topic. "
— Mary, 1/24/2013" It was a quick read. This was my first book by Anita Shreve. Overall, it was just okay. "
— Ella, 1/3/2013" Great book. Lovely moving story really about a relationship between a father and a daughter whilst still being a page turner. A good Christmas story. Will definitely read more by this author. "
— Caroline, 12/31/2012" Not a real uplifting book but intriguing. "
— Nancy, 12/27/2012" Quick read. Interesting perspective. Shreve is, generally, just good story telling. "
— Nick, 10/14/2012" Anita Shreve's books are always so engaging. The characters draw you in emotionally. She is a great storyteller. This one had a bittersweet ending which I liked. "
— Florence, 8/12/2012" Interesting story about how a wiowed father focuses on his own grief to the detriment of his daughter. Finally healing "
— Barb, 6/26/2012" This book draws you in. Story about a father and daughter surviving a tragedy. "
— Gailpellegrini, 6/2/2012" A book about secrets and the power of forgiveness. "
— Shelia, 4/23/2012" This story of a baby abandoned to die in the snow and the father/daughter family who find her is one that will stay with me for awhile. "
— Stormy, 4/13/2012" Slow starter, but once I got into it I couldn't put it down. This will be one I read again for sure. The father - daughter dynamic kept me pulled in. I love how she developed these characters. "
— Kirsten, 3/28/2012" Awesome! I loved this story. Love how Shreve is able to write a really beautiful story out of really messy life events. And I love that she can do it effortlessly, without swearing and with colorful language- unlike many other authors in similar genre. "
— Becky, 2/15/2012" book 8 of 2011 - aim for 133 books for the year ... "
— Tania, 1/4/2012" Another intriguing family drama, this time about a guy who is an EMT. A little too pat as usual. "
— Liz, 11/10/2011" A good read, loved the relationship between the daughter and father. "
— Melinda, 9/21/2011" Well written story - I loved it. "
— Erika, 7/24/2011" This was okay, just didn't seem very realistic. "
— Miss, 7/1/2011" Good but the ending was just ok. It was a nice vacation read, easy and kept me interested. "
— Kristie, 6/23/2011" Good but the ending was just ok. It was a nice vacation read, easy and kept me interested. "
— Kristie, 6/23/2011" It's an okay book. Just, okay. <br/> <br/>A good one for a book club selection, to read on a slow day. "
— Cate, 6/2/2011" It's an okay book. Just, okay. <br/> <br/>A good one for a book club selection, to read on a slow day. "
— Cate, 6/2/2011" this was the first time I read Anita Shreve. I really enjoyed this book, will definitely read more of her stuff. This was about about a father and daughter who were both mourning the loss for their mother/wife. "
— Mary, 5/20/2011" this was the first time I read Anita Shreve. I really enjoyed this book, will definitely read more of her stuff. This was about about a father and daughter who were both mourning the loss for their mother/wife. "
— Mary, 5/20/2011" I loved the book! I was just like Nicky; thinking Charlotte would be the big sister and they'd get baby Doris back and all live together happily ever after. So I was surprised when it ended like it probably would have in the real world. Great book. "
— Patty, 5/17/2011" I loved the book! I was just like Nicky; thinking Charlotte would be the big sister and they'd get baby Doris back and all live together happily ever after. So I was surprised when it ended like it probably would have in the real world. Great book. "
— Patty, 5/17/2011" I thought this book had such a wonderful story and the characters were well developed. <br/>I usually hate to finish oe of Shreve's books. "
— Rjchaussee, 5/16/2011" I thought this book had such a wonderful story and the characters were well developed. <br/>I usually hate to finish oe of Shreve's books. "
— Rjchaussee, 5/16/2011" My least favorite of her novels. "
— Kim, 5/14/2011" My least favorite of her novels. "
— Kim, 5/14/2011" I love this book. It was suspenseful and a fun read for me. This book is a wonderful story about people in hard times. I love the relationship between the narrator and the dad. Their relationship was different and it fascinated me. "
— Emily, 4/30/2011" I love this book. It was suspenseful and a fun read for me. This book is a wonderful story about people in hard times. I love the relationship between the narrator and the dad. Their relationship was different and it fascinated me. "
— Emily, 4/30/2011" A endearing story about three people thrown together to deal with each other and their lifes tragedies. "
— Diane, 4/28/2011" A endearing story about three people thrown together to deal with each other and their lifes tragedies. "
— Diane, 4/28/2011" i've read a lot of Shreve's books and then went off them for a while. This one is very good, as most of hers are. "
— Elisabeth, 4/23/2011" i've read a lot of Shreve's books and then went off them for a while. This one is very good, as most of hers are. "
— Elisabeth, 4/23/2011" A quick and easy read, this book intrigues with a chilling opening device that raises questions. Quite enjoyable overall. "
— Renee, 4/20/2011" A quick and easy read, this book intrigues with a chilling opening device that raises questions. Quite enjoyable overall. "
— Renee, 4/20/2011" This one was short and sweet. To those who object to shortness or sweetness, my retort is that it is often more difficult to keep a story simple. I recommend this one to someone going on a 3-4 hour flight. It will hold your interest and engage your emotions without taxing your intellect. "
— Joan, 4/17/2011" This one was short and sweet. To those who object to shortness or sweetness, my retort is that it is often more difficult to keep a story simple. I recommend this one to someone going on a 3-4 hour flight. It will hold your interest and engage your emotions without taxing your intellect. "
— Joan, 4/17/2011" Very interesting plot...I have a daughter about the same age...enjoyable and easy read. "
— Dawn, 4/15/2011" Very interesting plot...I have a daughter about the same age...enjoyable and easy read. "
— Dawn, 4/15/2011" For me this book was just a step up from a Harlequin. Not Anita Shreve's best work. "
— Anne, 4/12/2011" For me this book was just a step up from a Harlequin. Not Anita Shreve's best work. "
— Anne, 4/12/2011" I love Ms. Shreve but this was one of my lesser favorites. Though still good. "
— cassie, 4/8/2011" I love Ms. Shreve but this was one of my lesser favorites. Though still good. "
— cassie, 4/8/2011Anita Shreve is the acclaimed author of more than a dozen novels, including Rescue; A Change in Altitude; Testimony; The Pilot’s Wife, which was a selection of Oprah’s Book Club; and The Weight of Water, which was a finalist for England’s Orange Prize.
Alyson Silverman’s television and film credits include Sex and the City, Garmento, and Celebrity. Some of her theater credits include the off-Broadway production of Tony ’n’ Tina’s Wedding and the national tour of To Kill a Mockingbird with the National Theatre for the Performing Arts.