Below is a compilation of some of the reader reviews from various websites and social media. Post a review and I will add it to the list!
Amazon Reviews
Amazon Customer
- 5.0 out of 5 stars
- fun read
- Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2024
- Comment: Buffalo west side setting
Library Lady
- 5.0 out of 5 stars
- Buffalo love
- Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2024
- Comments: I grew up in Buffalo in the late 60’s. The places, names, streets and food felt like visiting old friends. It was a time like no other and the author put her finger right on it.
Joanie
- 5.0 out of 5 stars
- Brilliant!
- Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2023
- Comments: There aren’t many joys that come with knee replacement surgery. One of the few, is the opportunity to read books I stockpiled for just this purpose. Virgin Snow is one of the best. Although I grew up in Arkansas in the midst of an equally religious but, culturally, vastly different family of English heritage, I still see my 13 year old self on every page. It’s been a revelation to see that the hopes and dream, joys and fears, heartbreak and triumphs (well, not so many triumphs!) were no different for Cosi at 13 than for me. Exceedingly well written novel that captures and time and place beautifully but, also, the universality of 13 year old girls in 1968. Well done, Moxie Gardiner!
- One person found this helpful
Amazon Customer
- 5.0 out of 5 stars
- A classic coming of age story
- Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2023
- Comments: Beautifully written. A young woman in the turbulent late 60s and early 70s struggling with what is right and what is true. Think Holden Caulfield, but on the other end of the socioeconomic spectrum. A story that illustrates the difficulty in making good choices when the world around you is working against your better judgement.
- One person found this helpful
Denise
- 5.0 out of 5 stars
- Terrific debut novel by this writer.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2023
- Comments: I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The characters were interesting, very believable and they, plus the story, completely drew me in. I couldn’t wait to see what unfolded next in this coming of age story, set in Buffalo, NY in the 60’s. I have never spent much time in Buffalo, but the descriptions of places and attitudes of the characters made me feel like I experienced Buffalo during this turbulent time period. I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next one, as Cosi continues making her way into adulthood. Denise in Maryland
Stacy
- 5.0 out of 5 stars
- Captivating!
- Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2023
- Comments: Extremely well written, with engaging characters that draw you in immediately! I can’t wait to see what’s next for Cosi!
- 2 people found this helpful
Amazon Customer
- 5.0 out of 5 stars
- good read
- Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2023
- Comment: this book is an awesome read. great author
- One person found this helpful
Cheryl Portanova
- 2.0 out of 5 stars
- West Side of Buffalo
- Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2023
- Comments: Enjoyed the local color. Many things I remembered. Not a fan of the story line. Needed to be developed further.
adkbiker
- 5.0 out of 5 stars
- A wonderfully engaging read
- Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2023
- Comments: Virgin Snow immediately drew me into a wonderful yet not predictable story. The author skillfully wove her story around cultural and political events of the 1960’s and 70’s. A most enjoyable summer read; one I will happily recommend to others and pass along to friends. Loved reading about Buffalo, NY during this time period.
- One person found this helpful
Goodreads Reviews
Marlene (47 reviews)
- November 6, 2023
- This book resonated with me more than any in recent history. The author’s sister is in my book club so we gladly took the opportunity to make it this month’s book selection. Since the setting for the book is my hometown it was a given that I would feel a connection from the beginning. Yet, the story itself is so rich and covers so many issues from family relationships to friendships to infidelity, teen pregnancy, the Vietnam war, Catholicism, poverty, and political activism. This book has it all. Add in a bit of humor and it makes this book a true winner!
Rick (184 reviews 6 followers)
- December 3, 2023
- Virgin Snow evokes the Buffalo I remember as a teenager in the 1960s. It’s all in there–Buffalo’s West Side, Catholic Church, Bethlehem Steel and the decline of industry, ethnic enclaves, Vietnam War and its effect on all of society–those fighting it and those protesting it, the awkwardness of being a teenager, even the once mighty Road Vultures.
Laura Grainger Vinograd (1 review 1 follower)
- April 24, 2024
- Buffalo love
- I grew up in Buffalo in the late 60’s. The places, names, streets and food felt like visiting old friends. It was a time like no other and the author put her finger right on it.
Comments from other readers (add yours to the list!)
- Hi Moxie. I finished reading your book. I remember so much of growing up on the west side. I absolutely loved it and couldn’t put it down. You are my favorite author. I love to read. And I hope you will write another book because I can’t wait to buy it. Thank you for writing such an enjoyable book. ❤️Karen
- I just finished Virgin Snow. Brought me back to the West Side & some words I haven’t heard in years. I enjoyed it. First book I have read in years. Marilyn
- This is where I tend to gush. I can’t help myself when something feels so good. It’s a blessing and a curse! All I can say is when is the second part of the trilogy coming out?! I started reading your book right away, and could not believe how quickly it grabbed me and pulled me in. Even though I have never been to Buffalo, it seemed like I continually got a rich feel for the city from your excellent descriptions. I was continually asking, “what is coming next?” and was full of curiosity about the next turn of the story as it unfolded. The characters were fully realized for me and I felt like I knew all of them, from Cosi to Rico. They all seemed completely believable and brought their own unique aspects and flavor to the story. The various family dynamics made unerring sense to me. Each of the events that unfolded felt completely right and integrated into the book, and the “surprise” part about Gabby’s situation/revelation was an unexpected, and terrific turn of the plot. The whole book wove together in a fantastic and thoroughly workable tapestry, with no elements that felt like they didn’t fit. I thought it was a good length, but would not have minded if it went on longer. AND I understand why you stopped it where you did. This phase of Cosi’s life is over. Denise
- Just finished reading your book
it kept me enthralled right up to the end. Although it’s not my normal type of read I thoroughly enjoyed it. Roy - Your novel kept me engrossed throughout. There were so many details of Catholic girlhood of that era that hit very close to my core memories, even those I’d stashed away. I also wanted to be a nun back in the day. My parents were extremely devout but not superstitiously, so it was harder to push back and find my own space with religion while they were around. I also appreciated your detailed references to the tumultuous ’60s politics from the ground-level view of your characters. The story had lots of plot twists and intriguing characters. I even enjoyed your chapter titles. Christine
- Thanks for writing such an enjoyable read. ‘Twas helpful in my understanding of the teenage female brain, which was always a deep mystery during my struggles through the high school years and an even more enigmatic struggle as a high school teacher. I mostly interpret and understand the world through visual means, so I built up quite a little mental movie fragment while reading The Snowplow–and throughout the entire book of course–which plays in my head every so often. That’s quite a tragedy for a smart young mind to endure. In the following book of this series we’ll see how Cosi makes out in her next step of life, right? Kimber
- My friend outside Milwaukee, to whom I recently sent a copy of your book, called and left me a message RAVING about how wonderful your book is. She hasn’t finished it yet, and wants to chat with me when she’s finished it. She thought it “is a perfect balm for today’s world.” Carol/Denise
- What I liked about the book was your handling of the ethnic diversity of Buffalo. I know it because I grew up on the East side in the Polish neighborhood. You did a really good job of creating that environment. I was also raised Catholic, and your handling of that issue was well done. My sister went to the Mount and she felt you captured it completely. Cosi, as a teenage girl in a Catholic high school saying she wanted to be a nun, would strike a chord with many young women who shared her background. Having a nun or priest in an immigrant family was something to brag about. This put a lot of pressure on Cosi. Coming of age novels about females are few and far between. Yours suggests the limits of their options and their lack of diverse role models. Coming of age for females like Cosi is very different than for males. She has few choices, the convent or marriage. She is a very bright young girl and a lack of any guidance or information about her options is sad, but unfortunately very true in her time and place. Deanna
- Finished reading Virgin Snow. I could not put the book down! My mind was flooded with the most exquisite memories of my childhood. I was sad when the pages in my right were becoming fewer than the pages in my left hand. Patricia
- Such a great and engaging story. A triumph as a first novel. Today I read the last page and I’m already waiting for your follow-up book, covering Cosi McCarthy’s next 4 years. Such great research matching the cultural turning points and historical events of the 1960’s and 1970’s. Tackled a lot of different issues and all against the backdrop of working class Buffalo. Muriel