The Veil of Snows (1997) by Mark Helprin, illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg, is a lyrical and visually enchanting fable that weaves together themes of love, loss, and the transcendent power of memory. Set in the mythical kingdom of “A City in Winter” (a sequel to Helprin’s earlier work), the story follows a queen who erects an immense, glittering veil of snow to protect her realm from invaders, only to confront the costs of isolation and the passage of time.
Helprin’s prose is poetic and allegorical, rich with his signature blend of whimsy and profundity, while Caldecott Medalist Chris Van Allsburg’s (The Polar Express) illustrations elevate the tale into a visual masterpiece. His haunting, monochromatic drawings—swirling snowscapes, towering castles, and ethereal figures—mirror the story’s dreamlike melancholy and timeless beauty.
A rare collaboration between two storytelling giants, The Veil of Snows is a jewel-like book that blurs the line between children’s literature and adult parable, celebrating wonder and resilience in the face of darkness.
![A.A. Milne - When We Were Very Young 1924. First edition [1]](https://www.nocloo.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/aam-young1-300x400.jpg)
