Blood Red Snow White, by Marcus Sedgwick

Blood Red Snow White, by Marcus Sedgwick is based on the espionage capers of Britain’s Arthur Ransome – he of the Swallows and Amazons children’s series – who in the throes of the Russian Revolution is seduced by love and politics into a world of counter-espionage. Mixing actual historical figures with elements of folklore and fairy tale, the story considers the chaos of revolution and the thin lines separating historical fact from myth. 

Sedgwick merges fairy tale and history so seamlessly that it’s both richly imaginative and shockingly real. The churning shape (it moves from myth to memoir to spy thriller) is what keeps the story fresh. It’s poetic without sacrificing emotional heft, and Arthur’s journey feels profoundly human. There are some tough bits because of the shifts in style, but they’re truly fulfilling for me. The novel’s blending of fact and fiction leads to a chilling meditation on loyalty, love and identity. 

Reviewed by Anonymous, Grade 11

Glendale Central Library