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The Snow Falcon
An extraordinary story of redemption and love. In a small town in the Pacific Northwest, Susan Baker is struggling with the consequences of the death of her husband in a shooting accident, witnessed by her son Jamie, who has withdrawn into introverted silence. When Michael Somers returns to the town where he grew up, provoking resentment and suspicion among the members of the tightknit community, Susan and Jamie are drawn into the middle of a complex drama.
Michael is a solitary figure who has spent time incarcerated for something that happened years ago, but which had its genesis long before that, during his troubled childhood. Shunned by the community, Michael struggles to make sense of his life. When he finds a wounded falcon in the mountains, the injured bird becomes a possible route towards redemption and understanding for both Michael and his neighbour’s son, Jamie. The relationship that develops between man and boy, and also Jamie’s mother, Susan is at the heart of the story. However, it is also the spark that ignites tensions among the townspeople and leads to explosive consequences.
This is a novel about people struggling with their lives and the things that made them who they are. The characters are forced to confront both their strengths and flaws, and to make decisions that determine their futures. Some choose to face their personal demons, but others refuse to recognise their failings, instead compounding their past mistakes, until they threaten to destroy everything around them.
Michael is a solitary figure who has spent time incarcerated for something that happened years ago, but which had its genesis long before that, during his troubled childhood. Shunned by the community, Michael struggles to make sense of his life. When he finds a wounded falcon in the mountains, the injured bird becomes a possible route towards redemption and understanding for both Michael and his neighbour’s son, Jamie. The relationship that develops between man and boy, and also Jamie’s mother, Susan is at the heart of the story. However, it is also the spark that ignites tensions among the townspeople and leads to explosive consequences.
This is a novel about people struggling with their lives and the things that made them who they are. The characters are forced to confront both their strengths and flaws, and to make decisions that determine their futures. Some choose to face their personal demons, but others refuse to recognise their failings, instead compounding their past mistakes, until they threaten to destroy everything around them.
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1999
25 people are currently reading
484 people want to read
About the author
Stuart Harrison
16 books22 followersI was born in 1958 in Northamptonshire, England. Left school at 16 with no particular distinction and moved to New Zealand in 1980 where I subsequently worked in a variety of occupations until I began writing novels at the age of thirty seven. Three were universally rejected until The Snow Falcon was bought by publishers in sixteen countries in 1999 and went on to become a bestseller. At the time I was living in England again and during the next few years lived in Ireland and Australia before returning to New Zealand where I now live with my family in the Bay Of Islands.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
November 2, 2025
My emotionally apathetic-presenting armour was breached by this story. I reconnected with the gooey feelings of hoping for the best for other people.
The actual snow falcon featured early. Animal lovers may find the beginning hard to get through, but just like every animal rescue story, it gets better (so no DNFs for that, trust me).
The main protagonist is an interesting one. A gentle soul with a dark past. What happens when you’ve done something so wrong there’s no turning back? Give up? Lean more into it? Or do what Michael tried to do by being a better person?
The snow falcon is at the core of the story. As is Michael and a handful of people who need a second chance of their own. There’s also a continous element of danger. Will someone hurt the falcon? Or Michael? Or the others?
The set up had so much potential. It could have gone in so many directions. I was constantly guessing where it would go. I’d say it reached it’s potential. I even liked the ending. Part of me was hoping for a heart-aching ending so as to feel the full punch of what may have been. Another part of me wanted them to have a happy and a fulfilling future. I won’t say which part won out, but I was most pleased.
So why only 4 stars? It was stuck in 3/4 stakes, build up, tension. It was more undulating than drastic (hi Val! ⛎).
The fourth completed Long Books Challenge read of 2025.
The actual snow falcon featured early. Animal lovers may find the beginning hard to get through, but just like every animal rescue story, it gets better (so no DNFs for that, trust me).
The main protagonist is an interesting one. A gentle soul with a dark past. What happens when you’ve done something so wrong there’s no turning back? Give up? Lean more into it? Or do what Michael tried to do by being a better person?
The snow falcon is at the core of the story. As is Michael and a handful of people who need a second chance of their own. There’s also a continous element of danger. Will someone hurt the falcon? Or Michael? Or the others?
The set up had so much potential. It could have gone in so many directions. I was constantly guessing where it would go. I’d say it reached it’s potential. I even liked the ending. Part of me was hoping for a heart-aching ending so as to feel the full punch of what may have been. Another part of me wanted them to have a happy and a fulfilling future. I won’t say which part won out, but I was most pleased.
So why only 4 stars? It was stuck in 3/4 stakes, build up, tension. It was more undulating than drastic (hi Val! ⛎).
The fourth completed Long Books Challenge read of 2025.
March 13, 2020
THE ONLY NOVEL I EVER READ TWICE
I first read The Snow Falcon two decades ago and recall it was so good I promised myself I’d read it again. Well, today I finished reading it again, making it the first novel I’ve ever read twice.
Words fail me regarding how good this book is. So I can only repeat what The Des Moines Sunday register said in their review:
“It is a rare work of fiction so fascinating that a reader comes to the last sentence and immediately wants to begin the story again.”
Truly masterful!
I first read The Snow Falcon two decades ago and recall it was so good I promised myself I’d read it again. Well, today I finished reading it again, making it the first novel I’ve ever read twice.
Words fail me regarding how good this book is. So I can only repeat what The Des Moines Sunday register said in their review:
“It is a rare work of fiction so fascinating that a reader comes to the last sentence and immediately wants to begin the story again.”
Truly masterful!
November 22, 2024
Nice. Very Nice!
This was good, very good. Engaging plot and endearing characters.
LOVED all the falconry tidbits. Highly interesting and enlightening.
Definitely need to review this.
RTC: Soon.
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PERSONAL NOTE :
[1999] [341p] [Fiction] [Recommendable]
-----------------------------------------------
Bien. ¡Muy bien!
Esto estuvo bueno, muy bueno. Una trama atrapante y personajes entrañables.
AME todas las cositas sobre cetrería. Muy interesante y revelador.
Definitivamente tengo que reseñar esto.
RTC: Pronto.
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NOTA PERSONAL :
[1999] [341p] [Ficción] [Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
This was good, very good. Engaging plot and endearing characters.
LOVED all the falconry tidbits. Highly interesting and enlightening.
Definitely need to review this.
RTC: Soon.
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1999] [341p] [Fiction] [Recommendable]
-----------------------------------------------
Bien. ¡Muy bien!
Esto estuvo bueno, muy bueno. Una trama atrapante y personajes entrañables.
AME todas las cositas sobre cetrería. Muy interesante y revelador.
Definitivamente tengo que reseñar esto.
RTC: Pronto.
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1999] [341p] [Ficción] [Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
July 19, 2018
Really enjoyed learning about training Falcons. Good story about relationships and rebirth of character in people
August 11, 2017
A gyrfalcon was carried by winter storms in northern Canada southward to British Columbia. Also called a snow falcon, it was a beautiful brown and cream colored bird with a wingspread of three feet. The falcon was shot by a hunter working for a taxidermist, but was found by Michael Somers who worked to rehabilitate her.
Michael, recently released from prison, had just moved back to his hometown to work through some difficult childhood memories. His attractive next door neighbor had a traumatized son, Jamie, who had not spoken since his father died in a hunting accident. When Michael and Jamie work together training the falcon, a strong bond forms between them.
The book is about trust, healing, and second chances for both the humans and the falcon. It would probably make an entertaining Hallmark movie. The book also had a good sense of place, a small town near Williams Lake and some beautiful mountains. My favorite parts of the book were the descriptions of the gyrfalcon, and the techniques used to rehabilitate her so she could eventually be released into the wild. It brought back memories of seeing some falcons presented by a woman who devoted her life to rehabilitating these gorgeous, powerful creatures.
Michael, recently released from prison, had just moved back to his hometown to work through some difficult childhood memories. His attractive next door neighbor had a traumatized son, Jamie, who had not spoken since his father died in a hunting accident. When Michael and Jamie work together training the falcon, a strong bond forms between them.
The book is about trust, healing, and second chances for both the humans and the falcon. It would probably make an entertaining Hallmark movie. The book also had a good sense of place, a small town near Williams Lake and some beautiful mountains. My favorite parts of the book were the descriptions of the gyrfalcon, and the techniques used to rehabilitate her so she could eventually be released into the wild. It brought back memories of seeing some falcons presented by a woman who devoted her life to rehabilitating these gorgeous, powerful creatures.
January 12, 2021
Overall enjoyed the falconry part of the story, but the novel bogged down with way too many overdeveloped minor characters and unnecessary rabbit trails that either slowed or added nothing to the main plot. I read the 640 page large print version and felt maybe half of it could have been cut entirely or shortened tremendously. Ended up doing a lot of skimming. At other times when a situation seemed ripe for development, it was curiously ignored. For instance, when Michael first followed Ellis in the woods and saved the falcon from getting shot, what actually transpired between the two was never described. On the flip side, you'd get twenty pages on how Coop was preparing to pop the question to Susan, or ten pages of a real estate customer looking for a house. A good story editor should have trimmed a lot of fat.
July 6, 2022
Está novela incluye algo de romance, superación personal tanto de un protagonista como del otro. Nos habla de como Michael (nuestro protagonista) encuentra apoyo emocional principalmente en un halcón herido y después en una joven madre que perdió a su esposo y padre de su hijo en un accidente de caza (también ella y el pequeño están pasando por momentos complicados) y también nos habla de como superan sus problemas juntos. Recomiendo mucho está novela, que es una de mis favoritas por muchas razones que van a descubrir si leen el libro
November 1, 2009
Excellent story. This was actually a reread. It was the author's debut novel. I haven't liked later novels by this author as much as this one. It's a keeper.
December 15, 2021
Surprisingly good. Usually I really don't like if the POV changes often but here it's done extremely smoothly. I even started liking it as it was refreshing to read about the same situation and time from another point of view. Really good, I was often unnecessarily afraid of continuing reading. In the end this was just beautiful story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2022
Heavy story. And a little wake up Call. But it's a nice story. I found this book in mini library on the streets in the Netherlands.
And enjoyed it. Its not my normal read tho. The author did a great job.
And enjoyed it. Its not my normal read tho. The author did a great job.
February 23, 2024
A nice book
January 8, 2025
I enjoyed the book very much. There were a few weak spots here and there but enjoyable nonetheless. Very interesting novel for readers who are birders. The Falcon descriptions and handling of it was fascinating.
February 6, 2022
Bookclub selection- was hesitant about reading as it just didn’t sound that interesting and having really disliked H is For Hawk, wasn’t interested in reading another book about a falcon. Didn’t finish in time for the discussion however the comments intrigued me enough to finish the book. Beautiful descriptions of the setting and the remoteness of the area were the background for a story about a small town and its inhabitants as they deal with lost dreams, stunted childhoods, poverty, reclaimed lives and lastly love.
January 8, 2013
Part 1 : Chapter 1
In this chapter Pete Ellis, a drunk hunter, in the little town of Little River Bend, who is looking for a break to money and thinks he has found it in a Gyrfalcon is introduced along with the falcon and Tusker, the taxidermist, who has decided to buy the Gyrfalcon from Ellis once it is killed.
This chapter is very plain, though full of detail. Harrison in this chapter is just describing the problems Ellis has had lately and how he is stalking the falcon. Harrison describes the Gyrfalcon in almost a lifelike way, almost to the extent to were you actually believe that you too can see this magnificent bird of prey.
I think that it's noble that Ellis is trying to prove himself to his wife, children and friends but I feel that by him hunting the bird to prove his worthiness is wrong and that there are better ways to complete his goal.
Pete is determined to prove himself someday but his determination is blinded when he tries to take short cuts to earn a quick buck.
I predict that Ellis will achieve his goal though he'll have trouble along the way and almost ruin the best parts of his life by pursuing the goal to prove himself.
(Update #2)
Michael Sommers, just released from a institution moves back home to the small town of Little River Bend, haunted by his past. No matter where he tries to get a job he gets turned down. The only people who do not shun him is his neighbors Susan and Jamie Baker. The child has not talked since watching his father die during a hunting accident and Susan is trying to cope. I find the many different conflicts confusing at times as it changes from one to another. The characters are very interesting, all coming from difficult pasts and their paths collide with one another. I predict that something will happen with Susan and Michael and Jamie will soon begin to talk.
(Update #3)
Michael and Jamie forms a relationship as Michael helps Cully (the gyrfalcon) back to her former state of health. Coop, (Susan's husband David's best friend) tries to move their relationship up to the next level as Susan's interest in Michael begins to grow. Ellis and his wife, Rachael, get in several fights about money as he tries to steal back the falcon. I was surprised when I found out that Jamie and Susan were starting to warm up to Michael. Susan was uptight and now she's more relaxed and open about things, along with Michael in Jamie. I feel that Michael and Susan will get married and Jamie will start talking. Though with Ellis I feel that he will make a stupid mistake.
(Update #4)
As Michael and Susan grow closer, Coop, gets jealous of them and is trying to lead Susan away from Michael by telling her about his past. Ellis gets more furious with Michael with each passing day as he tries to figure out a plan to get Cully (gryfalcon). It's hard to keep track of the many different conflicts as Harrison moves from one to another. The characters have not changed recently as for their true selves and natures have been made shown.
(Update #5)
The conflict was resolved when Ellis goes to jail for shooting at Michael and injuring Cully once more. Susan and Michael devote their love to each other and get married. Jamie finally begins to talk about what happened that fateful day when his father killed and has resumed counseling to promote his recover from that tragic day. Michael gets his fathers store reopened and has decided not to press charges for he knows that Ellis is extremely sorry and will not make the same mistake again. The theme would be regrets, and yes I would recommend this book to any group of people for it has a powerful message in it, think things through before you make a decision for it may hurt the people that you care most about. I wouldn't change this ending if I could, I think that Harrison did a remarkable job in making his point of making regrets.
In this chapter Pete Ellis, a drunk hunter, in the little town of Little River Bend, who is looking for a break to money and thinks he has found it in a Gyrfalcon is introduced along with the falcon and Tusker, the taxidermist, who has decided to buy the Gyrfalcon from Ellis once it is killed.
This chapter is very plain, though full of detail. Harrison in this chapter is just describing the problems Ellis has had lately and how he is stalking the falcon. Harrison describes the Gyrfalcon in almost a lifelike way, almost to the extent to were you actually believe that you too can see this magnificent bird of prey.
I think that it's noble that Ellis is trying to prove himself to his wife, children and friends but I feel that by him hunting the bird to prove his worthiness is wrong and that there are better ways to complete his goal.
Pete is determined to prove himself someday but his determination is blinded when he tries to take short cuts to earn a quick buck.
I predict that Ellis will achieve his goal though he'll have trouble along the way and almost ruin the best parts of his life by pursuing the goal to prove himself.
(Update #2)
Michael Sommers, just released from a institution moves back home to the small town of Little River Bend, haunted by his past. No matter where he tries to get a job he gets turned down. The only people who do not shun him is his neighbors Susan and Jamie Baker. The child has not talked since watching his father die during a hunting accident and Susan is trying to cope. I find the many different conflicts confusing at times as it changes from one to another. The characters are very interesting, all coming from difficult pasts and their paths collide with one another. I predict that something will happen with Susan and Michael and Jamie will soon begin to talk.
(Update #3)
Michael and Jamie forms a relationship as Michael helps Cully (the gyrfalcon) back to her former state of health. Coop, (Susan's husband David's best friend) tries to move their relationship up to the next level as Susan's interest in Michael begins to grow. Ellis and his wife, Rachael, get in several fights about money as he tries to steal back the falcon. I was surprised when I found out that Jamie and Susan were starting to warm up to Michael. Susan was uptight and now she's more relaxed and open about things, along with Michael in Jamie. I feel that Michael and Susan will get married and Jamie will start talking. Though with Ellis I feel that he will make a stupid mistake.
(Update #4)
As Michael and Susan grow closer, Coop, gets jealous of them and is trying to lead Susan away from Michael by telling her about his past. Ellis gets more furious with Michael with each passing day as he tries to figure out a plan to get Cully (gryfalcon). It's hard to keep track of the many different conflicts as Harrison moves from one to another. The characters have not changed recently as for their true selves and natures have been made shown.
(Update #5)
The conflict was resolved when Ellis goes to jail for shooting at Michael and injuring Cully once more. Susan and Michael devote their love to each other and get married. Jamie finally begins to talk about what happened that fateful day when his father killed and has resumed counseling to promote his recover from that tragic day. Michael gets his fathers store reopened and has decided not to press charges for he knows that Ellis is extremely sorry and will not make the same mistake again. The theme would be regrets, and yes I would recommend this book to any group of people for it has a powerful message in it, think things through before you make a decision for it may hurt the people that you care most about. I wouldn't change this ending if I could, I think that Harrison did a remarkable job in making his point of making regrets.
April 14, 2019
An arctic gyr falcon, a hunter , an ex-con, A widow with a son with problems. A very touching calm read. Basically its a story about diverse people coming to terms with tragedy in their lives while helping an injured falcon. It touches the heart.
January 2, 2015
What can I say about this book? It was okay, not fantastic to me. The romance was okay. The characters were okay. It was just okay.
May 17, 2017
Love love loved it!!
August 19, 2017
Una storia che ammalia e convince, basata sui buoni sentimenti ma senza essere sdolcinata e melensa
September 27, 2021
A good read all in all but I felt a number of the minor characters were a little cliched and the ending was too pat for my liking
November 26, 2024
Michael Somers returns to his hometown after being in jail. Nobody wants him there and he has not one friend in the world. You’d think you wouldn’t like him, but he’s so consumed by guilt that you can’t help but feel sorry for him. Then there’s Susan who has lost her husband in a hunting accident and her son who hasn’t spoken since. They are all brought together by the falcon. But that’s not really what the book is about. It’s unfulfilled dreams and the oppressive nature of a small town. Some passages are well-written. There are some beautiful melancholy moments. The parts about the falcon, the money, the guy who wanted the falcon…those were interesting. But the pace seemed to fizzle midway, and then the ending was predictable. So apart from brief sections of good writing, the book is on the whole quite underwhelming. I was hoping for more on Michael's relationship with his father. Also, a lot of things didn’t make sense. Like giving a gun to a random stranger who’s fresh out of jail. Seeds were planted that didn’t go anywhere. The book brings up heavy subjects that, frustratingly for the reader, aren’t handled respectfully. . The female characters in general were atrociously written. They are so clearly by a man who doesn’t understand women. The neighbour’s random combo for her dinner guests really stuck out to me as odd. A beef and bean casserole, plus noodles, plus broccoli - it screamed “a guy who doesn’t cook wrote this." The part where the woman got off by getting handsy with her own chest. I was like, oh please. I’m surprised at so many positive reviews to be honest.
January 18, 2020
This is the story of a mother and son and ex-con and a gyrfalcon. Quite a combination. The son has stopped speaking due to a traumatic incident. The ex-con returns to sell his family's home in a town that wants nothing to do with him. Instead he discovers an injured falcon. The falcon gives him something to care for and a purpose. In taking care of the falcon, he draws the young boy out. The boy appears to connect with the falcon's plight. He comes to care for the falcon and the man. I felt that he realized that the 3 of them shared a common bond -- they had all been injured in some way. Together they all find peace.
May 3, 2025
Michael Somers keert na zijn gevangenschap terug naar zijn geboorteplaats waar hij met de nek wordt aangekeken omdat de wildste geruchten de ronde doen.
Susan is zijn buurvrouw aan de rand van het dorp samen met haar zoontje Jamie.
Als Michael de gewonde sneeuwvalk redt uit de handen van een jager en haar traint, voert en weer laat opknappen wekt dat de interesse van Jamie.
Langzaam, heel langzaam voelen beide zich tot elkaar aangetrokken. Het einde vind ik nog even spannend of Michael zijn hachelijk avontuur wel te boven komt.
Het is een rustig maar nergens saai verhaal.
Voor mij is het een goed einde dat ook wel als epiloog aangemerkt kon worden.
Susan is zijn buurvrouw aan de rand van het dorp samen met haar zoontje Jamie.
Als Michael de gewonde sneeuwvalk redt uit de handen van een jager en haar traint, voert en weer laat opknappen wekt dat de interesse van Jamie.
Langzaam, heel langzaam voelen beide zich tot elkaar aangetrokken. Het einde vind ik nog even spannend of Michael zijn hachelijk avontuur wel te boven komt.
Het is een rustig maar nergens saai verhaal.
Voor mij is het een goed einde dat ook wel als epiloog aangemerkt kon worden.
April 23, 2021
I would recommend this novel to readers with taste for seriously developed stories.
The characters, plot, prose - everything worked well for me. The beautiful part was not only humans, a bird (a gyrfalcon) becomes part of the emotional ups and downs. The bird connects the main character with a quiet boy and his mother and also the one wanting to kill the bird for money at any cost.
At times, too many details about falcon training slow down the flow. Readers looking for lots of thrilling romance may feel dissatisfied.
The characters, plot, prose - everything worked well for me. The beautiful part was not only humans, a bird (a gyrfalcon) becomes part of the emotional ups and downs. The bird connects the main character with a quiet boy and his mother and also the one wanting to kill the bird for money at any cost.
At times, too many details about falcon training slow down the flow. Readers looking for lots of thrilling romance may feel dissatisfied.
April 25, 2018
I just finished this yesterday.I live in France and I read this in French.It's a pretty good easy read and it's still on my mind--not at all my usual kind of book.It's essentially the relationship between a man and a snow falcon.I imagine the author did a lot of research on the subject and it has paid off.
August 13, 2022
This is a good book, especially as the first book of the author. It is a redemption story with some great lessons. Healing of past hurts is a central theme. The characters are well developed and believable. While some may say the plot is predictable, there are enough curve balls to keep you engaged to the end. And the conclusion is very satisfying. It's a good story with a positive message.
October 4, 2022
This book had me from the beginning. The characters, each with their own life story and prejudices towards others, were interesting and real. The events that revealed their true intent, feelings and desires. The prize that is paid for unforgiveness and at the same time the reward for forgiveness. New beginnings. Grief and hope. Beauty and pain. It was all there.
September 16, 2024
I read this book in a few days, it was a very easy read. I found the descriptions of Little River Bend, a small, remote Canadian town very vivid and easy to view in my imagination. I really loved the author getting into the Falcon's mind though and the images this created in my imagination. This was a bit of a different style of book for me and I really enjoyed it.
August 19, 2025
Dit boek heeft me echt verrast! Ik vond het in een minibieb en dacht, dit wordt of lekker doorlezen, oof een DNF en dan zet ik 'm lekker terug.
Maar het was verrassend goed, en gelaagd. Interessante karakters. Het helpt als je van roofvogels houdt. ;-)
Een onverwachte 4⭐ voor 't grootste deel, maar het einde was helaas minder naar mijn smaak, en dat weegt nou eenmaal zwaar in mijn ratings...
Maar het was verrassend goed, en gelaagd. Interessante karakters. Het helpt als je van roofvogels houdt. ;-)
Een onverwachte 4⭐ voor 't grootste deel, maar het einde was helaas minder naar mijn smaak, en dat weegt nou eenmaal zwaar in mijn ratings...
March 8, 2022
6.43 on CAWPILE
I hated the way that this was formated like contiuing the word on the new row every fricking Word. Also I did not like feel a pull to pick this up so no intrige. But a great story and one I Will remember would recomend
I hated the way that this was formated like contiuing the word on the new row every fricking Word. Also I did not like feel a pull to pick this up so no intrige. But a great story and one I Will remember would recomend
December 1, 2023
3.5 stars.
I enjoyed the bits related to the snow falcon, and the bits with Jamie too. But the two main characters were fairly flat other than their past. Another secondary character also didn't have their story finished, so who knows... Easy to read though, and enjoyable writing style.
I enjoyed the bits related to the snow falcon, and the bits with Jamie too. But the two main characters were fairly flat other than their past. Another secondary character also didn't have their story finished, so who knows... Easy to read though, and enjoyable writing style.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews