64 pages • 2 hours read
Helen OyeyemiBoy, Snow, Bird
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2013A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Boy, Snow, Bird by Helen Oyeyemi follows Boy Novak, a young woman who escapes her abusive father and settles in Flax Hill, Massachusetts. She marries Arturo Whitman and discovers his family has been passing as white. Their daughter, Bird, is born dark-skinned, prompting familial and societal conflicts. Bird narrates the second part, exploring her identity and corresponding with her estranged sister, Snow.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Helen Oyeyemi's Boy, Snow, Bird is praised for its lyrical prose and innovative retelling of classic fairy tales, blending elements of mystery and magical realism. Critics admire Oyeyemi’s handling of themes like race and identity. However, some find the narrative disjointed and the character development uneven. Overall, it’s a thought-provoking read with unique stylistic flair.
Who Should Read Boy, Snow, Bird?
Readers who appreciate multigenerational family sagas, fairy tale retellings, and themes of identity and race will be captivated by Helen Oyeyemi's Boy, Snow, Bird. Fans of Toni Morrison's Beloved and Eowyn Ivey's The Snow Child will find similar enchantment and depth in this inventive and lyrical narrative.