Boy, Snow, Bird

by Helen Oyeyemi
Boy, Snow, Bird cover
Good Books rating 4.17
Literary Fiction
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Paperback • £9.99
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  • ID: 3045
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • ISBN: 9781447237150
  • Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  • Published: 2014-02-27
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Boy Novak, seeking a fresh start, moves to the unwelcoming town of Flax Hill, Massachusetts, where she becomes enchanted by Snow, the radiant daughter of Arturo Whitman. However, the arrival of Boy's own daughter, Bird, forces her to confront the hidden truths of Arturo's family, leading to a heart-wrenching separation. Helen Oyeyemi's fifth novel is a sparkling and vibrant exploration of identity, family, and the unbreakable connections between women. With wit and originality, Boy, Snow, Bird confirms Oyeyemi's status as a dynamic literary voice.

Reviews
Reading in the Growlery · 2014-08-24
thought-provoking 4.00

The novel is seen as a meditation on race and personal identity. The reviewer appreciates the depth of the characters and the thought-provoking themes.

The reviewer at Reading in the Growlery sees Boy, Snow, Bird as a profound meditation on race and personal identity. They appreciate the depth of the characters and the way the novel explores the complexities of identity through the lives of its characters. The reviewer finds the novel to be a rich and thought-provoking read, with a strong focus on the personal journeys of the characters. The exploration of themes like race and identity is noted as particularly insightful and relevant.

Quick quotes

    Boy, Snow, Bird is a novel about race.

    It is also, more broadly, a meditation on the nature and source of personal identity.

    A profound meditation on race and personal identity.

SFF Book Review · 2014-08-03
enchanting 4.50

The novel is described as dazzlingly inventive and powerfully moving. The reviewer is impressed by the author's imagination and the emotional impact of the story.

The reviewer at SFF Book Review describes Boy, Snow, Bird as a dazzlingly inventive and powerfully moving novel. They are particularly impressed by Helen Oyeyemi's breathtaking imagination and the way she craftily weaves together elements of fairy tales and real-life issues. The reviewer finds the novel to be an astonishing and enchanting read, with a deep emotional resonance that stays with the reader long after finishing the book. The exploration of themes like identity and the human condition is noted as particularly impactful.

Quick quotes

    Dazzlingly inventive and powerfully moving.

    With breathtaking feats of imagination, Helen Oyeyemi...

    An astonishing and enchanting novel.

The Guardian · Alex Clark · 2014-03-22
clever 4.00

The novel is praised for its wit and exploration of themes like segregation and identity. The reviewer appreciates the cleverness and complexity of the narrative.

Alex Clark from The Guardian finds Helen Oyeyemi's Boy, Snow, Bird to be a clever and engaging read. They highlight the novel's wit and the way it plays with themes of segregation and secret identities, making it a rich and thought-provoking experience. Clark particularly enjoys the duplicity and the way Oyeyemi weaves together different narrative threads to create a compelling story. The reviewer also notes how the novel's exploration of identity and the human condition adds depth to the overall reading experience.

Quick quotes

    Helen Oyeyemi's novel about segregation and secret identities.

    Alex Clark enjoys the wit and duplicity of Helen Oyeyemi's novel.

    The novel is a rich and thought-provoking exploration of identity.

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