APRIL SNOW

Swe, in the last century, and the sorrows and few joys of a peasant wife and mother form the basis for a long suffering life story. For Sigrid, who is married to lazy, and loveless Peter, sees her thorn, Elisabet, disfigured by a frightful birthmark. She bears her second child, a son, in the snow, continues through rable pregnancies until Peter's death brings a release. At last the true mistress of her household, Sig has Elisabet's birthmark removed, sees her surviving children well married, and is herself still young enough to face a fresh future with a loyal friend. A substantial reconstruction of the rural Swedish backdrop, this has authe and stamina.