Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg (2000, Paperback)

One of my all time favourites

I've read this in its original Danish, in Swedish, and now in English; it's an excellent translation. The main attraction is how little by little, the character development of the protagonist, Miss Smilla, peels off like the layers of an onion. She has a very complicated mixed race background, and troubled relationships with many people. Luckily she finds a similarly unusual soulmate, the Mechanic, who plays an important part in her drama. Does she end up with him???? The plot does end very quickly and melodramatically, and you may well feel cheated. Blame the author. Or write your own ending.Read full review