SMILLA'S SENSE OF SNOW BY PETER HøEG

Unlike your average mystery/thriller, Smilla's Sense of Snow is written in an almost poetic form of prose style. Translated from Danish, the novel still maintains a respect for language and thought, introducing us to a remarkable woman, part Danish, part Eskimo. Høeg constructs Smilla Jaspersen's mind like an intricate puzzle, revealing her intimate thoughts while maintaining a provocative air of mystery. After the mysterious death of her 6-year-old companion, Smilla begins to unfold a complex mystery of scientific discovery and human passions. Høeg presents an elaborate novel, seamlessly blending the worlds of intellect and emotion in a book that crossed the ocean and crept into the ranks of the New York Times Bestseller List. Although its disappointing conclusion does not match the charm of the rest of the novel, Smilla's Sense of Snow is an outstanding book with characters and prose unmatched in "equivalent" books by Michael Crichton or Robin Cook. Without a doubt, it crosses the line between literature and the books for sale in grocery store checkout lanes. ($10)

-- Peter Debruge, Asst. Features Editor

This item appeared in the Features section of the December 6, 1996 issue.

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