Didn't finish this, was not at all what I expected from the synopsis. Certainly not bad, but don't feel that we need this in our collection.

A young boy Thomas goes missing during a blizzard in Alaska and the search for him is told through different points of view. Short chapters kept me racing through the story a really tense chilling read.#netgalley #abramsbooks

This is a short, French pageturner set in Alaska. At the start, we learn little Thomas has disappeared in a blizzard. One moment he was holding his mother's hand, the next he is gone. But what were they doing outside?

The novel is built up in very short chapters each narrated by a different character, namely the four people living in the remote settlement. All of them have a backstory of what drove them to this place, and everything turns out to be relevant to the disappearance.

I enjoy this set-up because it creates a lot of pace (and because it reminds me of the best Ammaniti's). I read Anne Michaels before this and it couldn't be more different: here there is no need for reflection, but also no time - you have to know what happens next immediately.

I was a bit hesitant about a European author writing a very American novel, but apart from a few clichés, it worked really well.

Thanks to the publisher for an ARC via Netgalley!

4.5⭐️

Ten-year-old Thomas and Bess, the woman was supposed to be looking after him, disappear during a blizzard in the Interior Alaska region. Benedict, the boy’s only family, his neighbors Cole and Clifford and Vietnam War veteran Freeman who has recently relocated to Alaska, brave the elements as they search for Bess and Thomas all the while aware that chances of survival in this weather are slim. Unbeknownst to them, Bess got separated from Thomas after leaving the house with him and is also searching for him. As the narrative progresses, we get to know more about these characters - their past traumas, secrets, and motivations - and it is gradually revealed that the inclement weather isn't the only threat in their midst.

Blizzard by Marie Vingtras (translated by Jeffrey Zuckerman is an exceptionally well-written novel that I would not hesitate to recommend to those who enjoy character-driven fiction. Despite its short length, this is a heavy read that touches upon several sensitive topics, including PTSD, substance abuse and sexual abuse, among others. The narrative is shared in the first-person POV in well-paced (slower in the beginning but quickens as the narrative progresses), short chapters from the perspectives of Bess, Benedict, Freeman and Cole. Initially, you might question how their individual stories connect but despite the short length of the novel, the trajectory of each of these characters (even the utterly despicable ones) is well-developed and the author skillfully integrates each of their backstories into the present-day narrative without missing a beat, bringing all the threads of this story together for a satisfying ending.

With complex characters, a rugged atmospheric setting, tense and gritty with quite a few surprises along the way, this short novel is a gripping immersive read I finished in one sitting.

Many thanks to ABRAMS Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

3.5 stars rounded up! This was a fast-paced story with multiple POVs, circling around a strong blizzard in Alaska, during which a boy goes missing. Bess, the woman who helps care for the boy, goes out in search for him. Benedict, also a caretaker, finds Bess and the boy missing and goes out in the storm after them.

While initially reading, I couldn't really understand what the back stories/sub plots had to do with the main event, and how each of these characters were connected. We have four primary POVs, and while Bess/Benedict are obviously connected by the child, Cole and Freeman seem less connected, outside of that they all live in the same remote village.

I think the author + translator did a good job of creating distinct characters (and quickly! this book is less than 250 pages), and that the connections between them all wrapped up nicely in the end. This was something I originally expected to be a thriller, but ended up being a story more about family, found family, and human connection. There were a lot of heavy themes (parenthood, family dynamics, sexual abuse, PTSD, murder, trauma, just to name a few), and sometimes I think it can be difficult to incorporate all of these things while maintaining them as necessary to the plot, and I think the author did that successfully here. It felt purposeful, and helped move the story.

Of course, the problem with shorter books is always that there's something you want more of! In this case, I thought Freeman had an extremely compelling storyline, and I would have enjoyed a book entirely about him and his life — which says a lot considering it would be a war story, and that is not my typical choice!

Overall, a good, fast-paced and emotional read!

Blizzard is a very quick read that kept me engaged the entire time. The short chapters worked very well for the storytelling format. The narrative was concise, sharp, and engaging. Very enjoyable read.

Blizzard is a short but satisfying story, quite character driven and quiet, but still a compelling survival story set in a desolate Alaskan landscape. I assumed the survival part, but had no idea how much character story could be packed into such a short thriller! Obviously as such, I cannot tell you much for fear of spoiling, but suffice it to say that it is one of those books you can read in one sitting- and will likely want to!

Obviously as you can ascertain by the content warning, this book includes some pretty serious topics. I think it was such a great narrative choice to tell the physical survival story of the blizzard and searching for those missing in the storm parallel to the emotional and mental survival that the characters are fighting for. The short chapters (which I am a huge fan of, frankly) helped to make the book feel more urgent, and I definitely did not want to put it down.

Bottom Line: Short but immensely efficient, this little novel packed quite a punch.

Blizzard by Marie Vingtras is quite the story packed into a short novel. The Alaska blizzard setting for the tale of a missing boy and the adults who are desperately searching for him made for one atmospheric read. I discovered this book through listening to a bookish podcast and was immediately pulled to read it. I enjoyed the suspenseful buildup of events to the story. Read and enjoy!

I really enjoyed the writing style- the short chapters with a blitz of character development made the story fly by and I felt like I was increasingly in a blizzard, true to the title. I thought the resolution was too quick, too sudden and too clean. I wanted more overall.

I liked the different points of view in Blizzard, as well as the character studies. It was not as action-packed as I expected, but I was okay with that!

A character driven novel that turns on the disappearance of young Thomas in an Alaskan blizzard, Bess, who was with him his father Benedict, and their neighbors Freeman and Cole, all spool out their backstories during the hunt. This is a slim volume and know that each of them could be worthy of a novel of their own. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It wasn't what I was expecting but it's a good read.

Marie Vingtras’s story is about several people who ended up in Alaska after running away from their lives elsewhere. It centers on the events during an Alaskan blizzard, when a woman and a boy venture out in the storm and neighbors rush to find them. Vingtras skillfully weaves character backstories between blizzard chapters. The whole story was well done and I felt invested in the characters and their fates. Plus, it was interesting to read a book about Alaska written by a French woman as usually translated books I read are about the author’s culture.


Thank you to NetGalley and The Overlook Press for an advanced copy of this translation in exchange for my review.

I am a sucker for novels and novellas in translation, so I was very excited to get this e-ARC of Blizzard by Marie Vingtras. The book, set in Alaska during a dangerous winter storm, tells the story of a Bess, who goes out into the snow with the boy she cares for, only for him to vanish when she goes to tie her shows. What follows unspools the lives and pasts of several characters as they search for Bess and the young boy, Thomas.

I enjoyed Blizzard and found it a compelling snapshot not only of life in the wilds of Alaska, but also of the very human experiences of grief, loneliness, connection, and obligation. There were layers of trauma explored in this brief story, and the short chapters helped to carry the reader along without getting lost amidst the varied points of view.

Though there were moments when the story felt predictable, I thought this was a beautiful read and an eloquent translation. Highly recommend!

Thank you Overlook Press for my free ARC of Blizzard by Marie Vingtras — available Jan 23!

Read this if you:
🌨️ are in the mood for a heart-pounding snowstorm thriller
🔪 love to see the bad guy get what they truly deserve
⚡️ want a lightning-fast read you can easily binge in a sitting

Translated from French by Jeffrey Zuckerman 🇫🇷

A little boy steps out into the blizzard and vanishes. Frantic, Bess runs into the storm after him, desperate to find the boy before the elements claim him. Benedict comes inside to find them missing and knows that he, too, will need to brave the storm to find them, and he ropes in some other locals to assist the search. But no one's being completely honest and everyone's motives are different — who will actually make it back from the blizzard?

This story pulls you in instantly and doesn't let up. At first, it's difficult to tell how the characters are connected, but things pull together by the end and you'll understand the relationships. I absolutely rooted for Bess and Benedict, and Freeman was a great character as well. This is a short read with a blistering pace, and I loved the intricate web that was woven by the end! Highly recommend it if you're into quick thrillers.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Blizzard
Marie Vingtras (author)
Jeffrey Zuckerman
January 23, 2024

Bess and youngThomas headed out for a walk near their home in a small Alaskan town. As the weather threatened their excursion with wind and snow, Bess realized that her shoelace had come untied. Fearing trouble if she tripped and fell, she let go of Thomas’s hand. Once the boot was tied she rose up to discover him missing. She called and searched the area but to no avail. Her fears for his life wandering alone built up and after what seemed a long time headed back toward the house to alert Benedict, Thomas’s father.
This amazing story was written in 2021 by Marie Vintras in France. Recently Jeffrey Zuckerman translated the tale for US publication by The Overlook Press, an imprint of ABRAMS. It will be published on January 23, 2024. I was lucky enough to read this latest publication via ARC from NetGalley. The basic story of the lost child is interesting but what I found to be remarkable are the chapters that feature one of the featured characters who live nearby the trio. Each gives the reader a stunning view of their history as well as how they came to know Bess, Benedict and Thomas. Not a long story but her writing gives us an astounding view at what is originally featured as usual neighborhood chatter. It is quite the novel to read and enjoy. Be certain to find a copy of Blizzard!

My rating is 2.5 but rounded up to three.

This book had an oddly slow beginning but once I sat down without distractions I flew through. Initially I was expecting more action on the page (showing rather telling), ultimately I was entertained by the end and wanted to keep reading. I thought it was well crafted but fell a little flat with action, and that the blurb had more intensity than the book.

The story largely takes place in rural Alaska during a horrendous blizzard. Bess, an out-of-towner, goes missing with the child she is supposed to be looking out for in the blizzard. Benedict, the child's caretaker, and Cole, a family friend with secrets go looking for the duo. As the story progresses, secrets start to unravel during each chapter which is from a different characters perspective.


I would recommend this to readers, 17 years and older, who want an easy-read, who like secrets, and intrigue. I would not recommend this book to readers who are looking for a book to reflect on afterwards.

Thank you NetGalley and ABRAMS for the arc.

This book was the perfect winter read. It takes place in Alaska, somewhere where I have never been before and tells a story about a boy lost in a blizzard. Immersed in a blizzard in the middle of nowhere is an extremely isolating experience. There is a lot of inner dialogue in this book that was very well written and the ending comes together nicely. I do wish I was fluent in French so that I could read the book in its original language, I do feel that sometimes things are lost in translation.

Thank you Netgalley and publishers for the ARC for an honest review.

3.75 stars / This review will be posted on goodreads.com today.

This novel was fascinating. While it wasn’t my favorite, it was a shorter read, and kept my interest.

Told from the points of view of several individuals, it takes us through the experience of a young woman and boy lost in a blizzard in the Alaskan bush. Bess is the young woman who escaped her own life when things went tragically wrong. Eventually we find out why she’s in Alaska. The young boy is Thomas, who was brought to Alaska by Benedict, but we don’t know why. From the others, we understand that Thomas is Benedict’s son.

Then there is Freeman, an older black gentleman who somehow ended up living in the bush after circumstances in his own life caused him to flee from his home. Cole is a neighbor and friend to Benedict, but sounds like a fairly unsavory human. And lastly there is Clifford, a moonshiner with absolutely no good to him.

When Bess and Thomas go missing, Cole ends up helping Benedict look for them, but not because he feels compelled to help, more that Benedict needs his help. As the story unfolds, we find out more things about Cole and Clifford than maybe we want to know, but their stories explain a lot. We find out why Bess retreated to Alaska with Benedict, and who Thomas really is.

As I said, not a long read and very interesting. Worth the read.

i think this book was kind of hard to get into but it did end up coming around. i liked that the chapters were so short and it was a quick read but i feel like they were maybe TOO short and it was harder to pick up on what was going on for a while.

i will say, i really liked that each character had such a distinct voice!!! and the connections to each other was very interesting. i think it was just pretty slow until the end and then it was maybe too fast? i still enjoyed the read though!

Unfortunately, I do not like this book. I actually did not finish it. I was able to get 26% of the way through the story before realizing I was not enjoying it. The author spent so much time in the descriptions of the women with red hair. I would have tried to continue, but the story was not holding my attention.