The Weight of Snow and Regret is a gritty and poignant story of a Poor Farm in rural Vermont in 1968.
The Weight of Snow and Regret by Elizabeth Gauffreau
Genre/Categories/Setting: Historical Fiction (1968), Literary Fiction, Poor Farm, Mystery, Found Family, Caring for Others, Hardship and Loss, Regret, Rural Vermont
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My Summary:
Thanks #NetGalley @BookSirens | Paul Stream Press for a complimentary eARC of #TheWeightOfShowAndRegret upon my request. All opinions are my own.
In 1968, the last Poor Farm in Vermont is targeted for closure. What will happen to its twelve residents? Hazel and Paul have managed the Poor Farm for twenty years. Paul is a realist, and Hazel works hard to keep it open. One day, a catatonic stranger shows up for an emergency stay. Who is she and what is her story?
My Thoughts:
Found Family
Hazel, compassionate, strong, and kind-hearted, gives it her all as she manages a home for the homeless and the destitute—an unsung hero. As the story progresses, we learn about each resident and their unique “found family” community. When a catatonic stranger arrives carrying a heavy load of regret, elements of mystery and intrigue become part of the narrative.
Character-driven
While this is a heavily character-driven story with richly developed main characters who are persistent, dedicated, and resilient, it also has action to propel the story forward. Will the Poor Farm close? What will happen to the residents? What circumstances brought the stranger to their community?
Social Issues
Throughout history, society has employed various methods of caring for others. I appreciate this close look at one of the last Poor Farms in the U.S.
What about today? There may be homeless shelters and food banks available today, but who is CARING for the destitute? Is the need outpacing the resources? How do you know for sure that the person asking for money at the corner really needs our help, or will our financial contribution finance a drug addiction?
Content Consideration: mental health, poverty, toxic relationship
Recommending The Weight of Snow and Regret:
Fans of character-driven stories with social themes, will find a great deal to appreciate in The Weight of Snow and Regret. This well-written and well-researched work of literary fiction is memorable in many ways.
My Rating: 4 Stars
Meet the Author of The Weight of Snow and Regret, Elizabeth Gauffreau
Elizabeth Gauffreau writes fiction and poetry with a strong connection to family and place. Her work has been widely published in literary magazines, as well as several themed anthologies. Her short story “Henrietta’s Saving Grace” was awarded the 2022 Ben Nyberg prize for fiction by Choeofpleirn Press.
Liz has published a novel, TELLING SONNY: THE STORY OF A GIRL WHO LOVED THE VAUDEVILLE SHOW, and two photopoetry collections: GRIEF SONGS: POEMS OF LOVE & REMEMBRANCE and SIMPLE PLEASURES:HAIKU FROM THE PLACE JUST RIGHT. Her second novel, THE WEIGHT OF SNOW AND REGRET, based on the closing of the last poor farm in Vermont in 1968, is due out October 1, 2025.
Liz’s professional background is in nontraditional higher education, including academic advising, classroom and online teaching, curriculum development, and program administration. She received the Granite State College Distinguished Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2018
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I hadn’t heard of Poor Farms. How interesting.
I am so glad you loved this too, Carol.
I get around the funding someone’s addictions by taking them into a coffeeshop and paying for a coffee and sandwich. If they don’t want that, well . . . I’m not donating.
Reminds me of the time I saw a woman on a corner who was holding a sign she was hungry and asking for money…..so I drove through the nearby drive through and bought her a hamburger, fries, and soda. She threw it on the ground and said she didn’t want it. 🤷♀️ never did that again. So many people are scammers… I’ve reheard reports of people waiting and watching them drive off in their luxury cars. I don’t give to individuals anymore for that reason…just to organizations.
I’ve heard of those same reports, Carol. I live in a small town so it’s easier for me to know who is genuine and who isn’t. I tend to be very wary in the cities and just say I don’t have cash.
Tough times and sadly it continues today.
I’ve read this one too and I loved Hazel so much. Her relationship with Paul seemed a bit weird in the beginning of the book but oh how I loved to read all about how they met and all the things they went through.
The concept of poor farms was unknown to me as I’m from Eastern Europe but it was fascinating to read and find out about them
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Anda! 🌻