The Snow Queen

More about the book

In November 2004, Barrett Meeks, having faced yet another heartbreak, experiences a vision while walking in Central Park. He sees a pale, translucent light that seems to regard him with a godlike presence, challenging his disbelief in visions and God. Meanwhile, in Brooklyn's Bushwick neighborhood, his older brother Tyler, a struggling musician, grapples with writing a wedding song for his seriously ill fiancée, Beth. Tyler aspires to create a song that transcends mere sentimentality, aiming for a lasting expression of love. As Barrett becomes increasingly haunted by his vision, he unexpectedly turns to religion, while Tyler believes that only drugs can unlock his creative potential. Beth confronts her mortality with courage, navigating her own challenges. Cunningham intricately follows the Meeks brothers on their divergent paths toward transcendence, showcasing his profound empathy for their struggles and a deep understanding of the human soul. The novel is both beautiful and heartbreaking, blending comic and tragic elements, reaffirming Cunningham's status as one of the great novelists of his generation.