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esther_richards's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
the_coycaterpillar_reads's review against another edition
2.0
The House On The Lake. The synopsis, the atmosphere, the struggle. It held such incredible promise. A woman, Lisa is on the run from her husband, Mark. A woman and her three-year-old son, Joe. An impossible situation that finally breaks the woman – it gives her the edge and the courage to leave. She essentially kidnaps her son and goes on the run, a plan loosely concocted. She must make it to her friends Yorkshire cottage. A cottage on the lake. Rowan Isle House. A story told in dual timeframes. The plan didn’t account for how dilapidated the house would be. It’s no place for a frightened woman…no place for a three-year-old boy. Hostile and cold just like the life Lisa has been living.
We also have the point of view of an eleven-year-old girl, Grace approximately fifteen years previously. The similarities between the two storylines are startling. They are both living unconventional lives in the house. The walls of Rowan Isle House has seen some sights. Grace is living with her father, who is ex SAS and from all appearances seems to be experiencing the symptoms of PTSD. The girl has an extremely harsh life and it is so far away from a regular childhood it is awful. He treats her more like a solider, referring to her as solider number one – but only when she passes the tasks that deem her to be worthy of the title.
Unfortunately, House On The Lake didn’t work for me. The plot just seemed to be so inconceivably unbelievable. The urge to escape a terrifying domestic abuse situation is strong, especially when a child is involved but to escape to an inhospitable house with no electric, water or heating just seemed idiotic. Where was the simple and rational thought process of staying with friends or even accessing the help available through the avenues of the police and women’s aid? I fully accept the fear factor and it always isn’t easy but surely it would have easier than the route she chose?
One other thing I found at odds with the situation and Lisa’s behaviour was just how much she put herself out there. She didn’t want to be memorable to those in the village, but she didn’t exactly do the whole incognito deal well. She would be terrible in a spy situation. At the very least she could have had a name change. That was one aspect of the plot that just didn’t add up.
The House On The Lake was just extremely slow and for most of the book nothing of any note seemed to happen in relation to Lisa and Joe’s story. I couldn’t bring myself to be invested or to really care about the conclusion of her story. Grace was a more pragmatic narrative, but I was only slightly more invested in her as a character. Although this was the first book I’ve read by the author I will attempt one of her other books.
We also have the point of view of an eleven-year-old girl, Grace approximately fifteen years previously. The similarities between the two storylines are startling. They are both living unconventional lives in the house. The walls of Rowan Isle House has seen some sights. Grace is living with her father, who is ex SAS and from all appearances seems to be experiencing the symptoms of PTSD. The girl has an extremely harsh life and it is so far away from a regular childhood it is awful. He treats her more like a solider, referring to her as solider number one – but only when she passes the tasks that deem her to be worthy of the title.
Unfortunately, House On The Lake didn’t work for me. The plot just seemed to be so inconceivably unbelievable. The urge to escape a terrifying domestic abuse situation is strong, especially when a child is involved but to escape to an inhospitable house with no electric, water or heating just seemed idiotic. Where was the simple and rational thought process of staying with friends or even accessing the help available through the avenues of the police and women’s aid? I fully accept the fear factor and it always isn’t easy but surely it would have easier than the route she chose?
One other thing I found at odds with the situation and Lisa’s behaviour was just how much she put herself out there. She didn’t want to be memorable to those in the village, but she didn’t exactly do the whole incognito deal well. She would be terrible in a spy situation. At the very least she could have had a name change. That was one aspect of the plot that just didn’t add up.
The House On The Lake was just extremely slow and for most of the book nothing of any note seemed to happen in relation to Lisa and Joe’s story. I couldn’t bring myself to be invested or to really care about the conclusion of her story. Grace was a more pragmatic narrative, but I was only slightly more invested in her as a character. Although this was the first book I’ve read by the author I will attempt one of her other books.
amylt95's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! This book is incredible. Nuala taught me a lecture when I studied Creative Writing at York St John and her novel Soho 4am was on our reading list. I instantly connected with her style of writing and have been looking forward to reading more of her work. The House on the Lake is a beautiful piece of writing, I loved the switch of the two stories in each chapter and the ending was just brilliant. I would definitely recommend this book! I'm looking forward to reading more.
holyheadharpie's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
bookgramer_'s review against another edition
3.0
2.5 ☆
This book had a slow start with a promising middle part, finally tied up with an underwhelming and rushed end. Told through 2 POVs, I could see the author trying to covertly highlight the similarities between them, but one of the characters made such questionable decisions that it all felt a bit flat.
This book held a lot of promise, but alas!
This book had a slow start with a promising middle part, finally tied up with an underwhelming and rushed end. Told through 2 POVs, I could see the author trying to covertly highlight the similarities between them, but one of the characters made such questionable decisions that it all felt a bit flat.
This book held a lot of promise, but alas!
weemargaret's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bookbabebecca's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
always_need_more_books's review against another edition
3.0
The House on the Lake starts with Lisa and her toddler Joe arriving in an isolated run down house next to a lake in a tiny Yorkshire village. We learn that Lisa is desperate – her husband has been very controlling of her and she has run away with Joe, knowing that he will never be able to find them.
A friend of Lisa’s has said she can use Rowan Isle House if she ever needs to, which is how she comes to be there. The house is incredibly run down, no working electric or running water. Lisa had no idea the house would be inhabitable and you really get a sense of how desperate she must be to let little boy to stay in a place like that!
We also have flashes back to 16 years earlier to the previous residents of the house, a young girl and her father who live a very isolated life. The father is an ex soldier and is determined to teach his daughter the ways of survival. To begin with she is happy with just her and her dad, but as her dad’s behaviour becomes more and more erratic she becomes scared of him and wants a more normal life.
As Lisa starts to meet some of the residents of the village, she soon learns of the secrets the house has kept hidden all these years.
This is a real page turner of a novel. I loved the way the story flitted between Lisa and the young girl in the house. There is a lot of tension and you are left wanting to find out the connection between both stories. The location of the house adds to the claustrophobic and spooky feeling so I was never sure if it was going to be a thriller or a ghost story!
A slow build up as we get to know the characters and their history, there are lots of surprises! A great thrilling read!
A friend of Lisa’s has said she can use Rowan Isle House if she ever needs to, which is how she comes to be there. The house is incredibly run down, no working electric or running water. Lisa had no idea the house would be inhabitable and you really get a sense of how desperate she must be to let little boy to stay in a place like that!
We also have flashes back to 16 years earlier to the previous residents of the house, a young girl and her father who live a very isolated life. The father is an ex soldier and is determined to teach his daughter the ways of survival. To begin with she is happy with just her and her dad, but as her dad’s behaviour becomes more and more erratic she becomes scared of him and wants a more normal life.
As Lisa starts to meet some of the residents of the village, she soon learns of the secrets the house has kept hidden all these years.
This is a real page turner of a novel. I loved the way the story flitted between Lisa and the young girl in the house. There is a lot of tension and you are left wanting to find out the connection between both stories. The location of the house adds to the claustrophobic and spooky feeling so I was never sure if it was going to be a thriller or a ghost story!
A slow build up as we get to know the characters and their history, there are lots of surprises! A great thrilling read!