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charliegirl21's review against another edition
2.0
The villain was entirely predictable, the main character was a pretend martyr but actually an asshole, and the end was contrived and lame. There were entire passages that were word for word identical. The endless listing of every character in the room made up probably 50 pages of this novel. The relationship between Olivia and Jane was completely underdeveloped. I am giving it a two because it kept me reading. The setting was well written.
storybookvisitor's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
celiapowell's review against another edition
3.0
This story of a Latin teacher in a boarding school was a decent enough story of suspense in which events at the school seem to be echoing the traumatic events the teacher experienced there as a teenager. I saw the ending coming a long way off - and given my usual powers of detection with these sorts of stories means that it was really, really obvious. Most of the characters' motivations seemed fairly far fetched, and I found myself rolling my eyes at a few points, which is a good indicator that I'm not terribly engrossed in a book. OK, but not great.
jesssica__berg's review against another edition
4.0
Set against the haunting backdrop of the Adirondack Mountains, Carol Goodman's The Lake of Dead Languages is a gripping and suspenseful mystery that delves into the complexities of language, the human psyche, and the shadows of the past.
The novel follows Jane Hudson, a Latin teacher returning to her alma mater, the elite Heart Lake School for Girls, after a twenty-year absence. As a student, Jane had lost her two closest friends in a tragedy by the eponymous lake, leaving her emotionally scarred and plagued by guilt. As she settles into her new role, Jane is confronted with a series of disturbing events that suggest history is repeating itself. Students begin to commit suicide, leaving cryptic messages in Latin that bear an eerie resemblance to the final words of Jane's deceased friends.
Goodman masterfully weaves a complex and compelling narrative that seamlessly alternates between Jane's past and present, slowly unveiling the dark secrets of Heart Lake. The novel's gothic atmosphere is enhanced by its evocative prose and richly drawn setting. Readers will feel the chill of the Adirondack winter and the oppressive weight of the lake's history as they follow Jane in her quest to uncover the truth.
The characters in The Lake of Dead Languages are well-developed and intriguing, with Jane Hudson being a particularly sympathetic and complex protagonist. The story is enriched by its exploration of the relationships between the girls, as well as the various ways they navigate the competitive and exclusive world of an elite boarding school.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the novel is its exploration of the power and beauty of language, especially Latin, which serves as a means of communication between the living and the dead, the past and the present. Goodman's background in Latin and the classics is evident in her evocative descriptions and her ability to bring the ancient language to life. The Latin phrases and references add depth and a sense of timelessness to the story.
There are moments when the pacing of the narrative could have been tighter, and the climax may not satisfy all readers, but overall, The Lake of Dead Languages is a mesmerizing and atmospheric mystery that will keep readers enthralled until the very end.
Overall, The Lake of Dead Languages is a captivating gothic mystery that expertly combines elements of suspense, tragedy, and the power of language. With its richly drawn characters, evocative setting, and engrossing plot, this novel is a must-read for fans of mystery and suspense, as well as those who appreciate beautifully crafted prose.
The novel follows Jane Hudson, a Latin teacher returning to her alma mater, the elite Heart Lake School for Girls, after a twenty-year absence. As a student, Jane had lost her two closest friends in a tragedy by the eponymous lake, leaving her emotionally scarred and plagued by guilt. As she settles into her new role, Jane is confronted with a series of disturbing events that suggest history is repeating itself. Students begin to commit suicide, leaving cryptic messages in Latin that bear an eerie resemblance to the final words of Jane's deceased friends.
Goodman masterfully weaves a complex and compelling narrative that seamlessly alternates between Jane's past and present, slowly unveiling the dark secrets of Heart Lake. The novel's gothic atmosphere is enhanced by its evocative prose and richly drawn setting. Readers will feel the chill of the Adirondack winter and the oppressive weight of the lake's history as they follow Jane in her quest to uncover the truth.
The characters in The Lake of Dead Languages are well-developed and intriguing, with Jane Hudson being a particularly sympathetic and complex protagonist. The story is enriched by its exploration of the relationships between the girls, as well as the various ways they navigate the competitive and exclusive world of an elite boarding school.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the novel is its exploration of the power and beauty of language, especially Latin, which serves as a means of communication between the living and the dead, the past and the present. Goodman's background in Latin and the classics is evident in her evocative descriptions and her ability to bring the ancient language to life. The Latin phrases and references add depth and a sense of timelessness to the story.
There are moments when the pacing of the narrative could have been tighter, and the climax may not satisfy all readers, but overall, The Lake of Dead Languages is a mesmerizing and atmospheric mystery that will keep readers enthralled until the very end.
Overall, The Lake of Dead Languages is a captivating gothic mystery that expertly combines elements of suspense, tragedy, and the power of language. With its richly drawn characters, evocative setting, and engrossing plot, this novel is a must-read for fans of mystery and suspense, as well as those who appreciate beautifully crafted prose.
jorbee3's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mirificmoxie's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Drug use, Incest, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Murder, and Abandonment
Minor: Bullying, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Violence, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, and Classism
faerlyrainny's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rosyy's review against another edition
2.0
My second book of Carol Goodman. Like the first one, I can't seem to bring myself to care for the main character. The mystery plot involves a lot of coincidences, and is easily guessed that I just wanted to get it over with already. Plus as someone from a tropical country in a big city, the more is said of the setting the more confused I become.
I really liked the descriptions of the lake, though. It is a hum that is always present in all the scenes even when they do not unfold there. It breathes and pulls, a living thing in its own.
I really liked the descriptions of the lake, though. It is a hum that is always present in all the scenes even when they do not unfold there. It breathes and pulls, a living thing in its own.
ljones's review against another edition
3.5
Gotta love some dark academia. The writing was intriguing. I could feel the remote, cold, dark girls school on the upstate NY lake. The descriptions of the lake were so good it seemed alive and a main character.
However, the overall story was average. The mystery was lacking. In perhaps a form of self-preservation, I didn't identify with any of the girls, and I became numb to the soooooo many mentions of suicide. By the end, I was happy to leave that school and the characters behind.
However, the overall story was average. The mystery was lacking. In perhaps a form of self-preservation, I didn't identify with any of the girls, and I became numb to the soooooo many mentions of suicide. By the end, I was happy to leave that school and the characters behind.
sleepytimebooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0