Encyclopaedia of Snow by Sarah Miano

Encyclopaedia of Snow

Sarah Miano

This is a very unusual novel presented in the form of an encyclopaedia. It is very hard work and you will either love it or hate it, finding it either profound and moving, or just pretentious depending on your personal taste. If you relish a challenge I recommend this

Extract
Crystallisation (positive): Austrian salt miners will hurl a leafless bough into an abandoned working and pull it out three months later with a deposit of crystals that reembles a galaxy of stars. Similarly, crystallisation is a mental process that occurs between two lovers.
Parallels
  • Elemental: Stories of Fire and Ice by A.S. Byatt
  • Miss Smilla's Feeling For Snow by Peter Hoeg