Spotlight on Snow Globe

My kid and I both loved the dystopian suspense of Snow Globe by Soyoung Park (2020), translated by Joungmin Lee Comfort (2024).

The book takes place on an Earth that has entered another ice age. The majority of the planet has an average temperature of -50 degrees Fahrenheit. People in these areas spend their days on 10-hour shifts on hamster wheels, producing energy to keep civilization going.

The exception to these harsh conditions is the dome built over a geothermal energy source, called Snow Globe. Within the dome, the weather is temperate, food is plentiful, and luxuries abound. The tradeoff?: Residents living in Snow Globe are obligated to be reality-TV stars, recorded all day, every day. These folks provide the non-stop entertainment for those in the outer world.

The people on the shows become like family to fans. And the greater the popularity, the greater the perks for the actors and directors inside.

Jean Chobahm lives in the outer world with her twin brother, mother, and grandmother. She dreams of becoming a director in Snow Globe, but she’s been turned down by the academy twice. When she gets an invitation to become an actor, with a promise to later become a director, she can’t help but say yes, even with suspicions of what strings might be attached.

I loved the premise and the suspense as we learn more about Snow Globe and the lives inside. I highly recommend this compelling read. The sequel will be coming out in 2025! Can’t wait.