Writings

Mary Ann MacAfee

REVIEWS

This book was great. I absolutely loved it - finished it in two days. Even though I couldn't really relate to Kale in any way - MacAfee wrote Kale in a way that I couldn't help but want to relate to her. Maybe that's not what I mean (if you've read it, you'll know why I don't want to relate to her). What I mean is that I felt for Kale. I felt that I knew her. She became a friend. The characterization of Kale is superb - like the saying goes, I really felt as though I lost a friend when I finished this book.

If you only read this book for face value - it'd be a good novel. But if you read this book prepared to delve into the literary layers - you've found an amazing read. I have a lot of training in cultural diversity because of RA job and living on a reservation. I was able to read this book and interpret it as a novel about diversity and culture. It was fascinating. I'm not doing this story justice in this review, but I told every single person I saw on campus today who seemed genuinely interested in my life.

The description paragraphs are beautiful - made me really want to travel to Alaska. I've never read a book quite like this before - the plot is something entirely new and unknown to me, literary wise. I really urge everyone to read this book - but you will not be getting a copy from me. :) I am keeping this book for my classroom. I don't think I'll ever end up teaching this book, but I'll definitely use it for examples of descriptive writing and as a 'cultural fiction' book.

I've also recommended this book to Momma Remmers - telling her she HAS to get it for her library on 'the rez'. While Frozen Tears deals with Ennuits (Alaskan Natives) - I found myself thinking of Native Americans. There are so many simularities! The heirachy, speech, way of life, ideals, mythology - it was hard to think Alaska and not Northern Minnesota! I loved it.

One (of many) of my favorite quotes from the book is from Innicot, the grandfather Ennuit. Quick background info: Kale is a hydrologist who's passion is to preserve the water in Alaska. "Water, it is noble you make it your enterprise to keep water safe for human and animals. When life is simple, no such need for you. White man create his own need. Make poisons then make jobs to fix it." I just LOVE IT! I've basically told everyone I know this quote.

I really hope you pick this book up. It's one of those books that has changed my perspective - and that's saying something.

http://reagan-review.blogspot.com/2009/09/frozen-tears-mary-ann-macafee_24.html

I love a story that can take me to a place I have never been and is so descriptive that I can picture each detail in my head without even trying. This is one of those stories. It is one of love, loss and friendship. It is a story that touched each of my emotions. At times I was angry, at times I cried and other times I was laughing out loud. I really enjoyed reading this story and hope you will too!

Favorite Quote:

Unbound thoughts raced through her head, or sometimes no thoughts at all, merely a raw challenge of her self-limits. As much as she preferred situations that she could control, Kale often considered how boring life would be if she knew what to expect from it.

pg. 248

In Frozen Tears, a tale of love and adventure in contemporary Alaska, Mary Ann MacAfee parallels real life issues and spiritual elements to create a story that is haunting, heartbreaking and hopeful.

Kale Leland is a hydrologist in the remote wilds of Midland, Alaska. She has a job, friends and an overbearing boyfriend that her family approves of. Her life is pretty well set until she meets Elliot Weaver, an Alaskan Native at The Crusty Miner, a local bar. There's a strong attraction between the Ennuit bush pilot and the California-bred white girl. Over the objections of friends and family Kale marries Elliot and despite their cultural differences the young couple is happy and looking forward to a long life together. He takes her to visit the Native village where his family lives and she forms a bond with his grandfather, Ittuq who is a wolf shaman. But when they get a call that Ittuq is sick they attempt an emergency flight to the village and it ends in a tragic accident. Elliot dies leaving Kale pregnant and lost in the snowy wilderness. Caught in a whirl of pain, loss and confusion she is led to a cave and then later to the village by a gray wolf. She believes Ittuq became a wolf one last time before he died so he could save her and his grandchild. Kale comes to love the wolves and she will rely on their spiritual guidance in the future when tragedy strikes again.

I love to open a book and find myself immersed in another world. Frozen Tears did that for me. MacAfee paints vivid pictures of the Alaskan landscape and weather that left me breathless. Her descriptions of the Ennuit village with its native traditions, extreme poverty and alcoholism give the story a real depth. Her characters live and breathe. I found myself empathizing with Kale and her struggle to overcome each challenge and loss. This bittersweet tale will entice readers to suspend belief in ordinary reality and enter a world of mysticism and reincarnation. Themes of environmentalism are woven in a compelling exploration of life, love and loss. A wonderful story filled with redemptive hope and the promise of enduring love. I highly recommend it.

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My thoughts
“Frozen Tears” by Mary Ann MacAfee is a love story and adventure set in the vastness that is Alaska. Kale Leland, a young environmentalist meets Elliot Weaver, a local Ennuit and fall in love. She is introduced into the Ennuit culture. But after Elliot dies, she struggles to survive in the wilderness with the help of a wolf, so that their child can be born. But rejection is found everyone and Kale has a rough road ahead. Ms. MacAfee describes the rough frozen tundra of Alaska, the animals that inhabit it and the depth of the characters is amazing. She has a way that draws one into the world of Kale. Makes me want to be one with nature.

Posted by Dan

http://grumpydan.blogspot.com/2009/09/frozen-tears-by-mary-ann-macafee.html

Set in remote Alaska, this book offers all the elements for a good read-- love, loss, triumph over adversity, and the feel of a rich adventure in America's last frontier. Highly recommended.

(Thank you to the author for my review copy.)

Posted by Barbara

http://irecommendgreatreads.blogspot.com/2009/09/frozen-tears.html

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