Snow Angels (novel)

Snow Angels is a 1994 novel by American author Stewart O'Nan. It is a coming-of-age story set in a small town in Pennsylvania during the winter. The narrative follows Arthur Parkinson, a teenager struggling with his parents' separation and his burgeoning feelings for a classmate, as he navigates the complexities of adolescence against the backdrop of a shocking tragedy – the disappearance of Annie Marchand, his former babysitter.

The novel explores themes of loss, grief, the fragility of relationships, and the disillusionment of childhood. O'Nan uses a spare and often melancholic prose style to capture the atmosphere of a bleak and economically depressed community. The disappearance of Annie serves as a catalyst, forcing Arthur and the other characters to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves and their relationships.

Snow Angels received critical acclaim for its realistic portrayal of small-town life and its poignant exploration of universal themes. It was adapted into a film of the same name in 2007, directed by David Gordon Green. The film adaptation, while faithful to the core storyline, differs in certain plot details and character interpretations from the novel.