Novel set in ZELL AM SEE, Austria

15th December 2021

Midnight in the Snow by Karen Swan, novel set in Zell am See, Austria.

Kit Foley seems to have been involved in a surfing accident that left champion Cory Allbright disabled and unable to take part in any further surfing championships, in fact depriving him totally of his livelihood. Kit has been accused of breaching Cory’s priority on a specific wave, blocking his line and effectively forcing him under the water. Kit subsequently abandoned the surfing life and made the natural progression to snowboarding, where he is trying to re-invent himself and leave the bad publicity behind. He has bowled up in Zell am See, in the Austrian Alps.

Clover Phillips is an award-winning documentary maker who charted Cory’s life post accident. She has her sights set on Kit and wants to make a film about his version of events, but there is huge animosity between them and he is not inclined to make it easy for her and her team.

However, Kit’s arm has been twisted to accommodate them at the chalet where he and his household are living, but the anger, resentment and resistance are palpable. Clover – plus Matty and Johnny – certainly have their work cut out. Kit is determined to be uncooperative, fearing that they will not be objective in how they represent his side of the story. But what is his side of the story?

There are interviews with locals. collating their thoughts on his dubious presence in the town. There are the endeavours of Clover and her team to get him to speak on the record and generally delve into his past. What did really happen on that fateful day in the waves, all those years ago?

You will enjoy this if you want to get a fix of on-slope action. The story can feel a little lacklustre at times – Clover has to try and wear Kit down, and she is a determined young woman – but comes into its own towards the end. There might even be a bit of romance along the way.

There is a lot of description of the life of a snowboarder, you will learn what a Switch Backside 1260 is and you will walk into mountain life amongst the snow bunny glitterati. Bluebird pistes, pow (powder snow) and mention of the local Austrian Gösser beer all make the Alpine backdrop feel authentic.

Tina for the TripFiction Team

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IF YOU ARE REALLY INTO READING ABOUT SNOWBOARDING ADVENTURES, THEN YOU MIGHT LIKE “SHIVER” BY ALLIE REYNOLDS, SET IN THE FRENCH ALPS

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