kelbi's review against another edition
5.0
A truly lovely book. I wasn’t familiar with Mary Lawson’s work until I read A Town called Solace because it was listed for the Booker Prize. I liked it so much I sought out her others. This was her first book and I think many people still think it her best. I loved it
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
4 STARS
"Narrated by 26-year-old Kate Morrison, we dive in and out of the troubled woman's childhood memories over the passage of a year--when she was seven and her parents were killed in a motoring accident, leaving Kate, her younger sister Bo and two older brothers Matt and Luke orphaned. The proverbial can of worms is opened for our heroine when she receives an invitation to Matt's son's 18th birthday. The successful zoologist and professor, so accustomed to dissecting everything through a microscope, must suddenly analyse her own relationship and come to terms with her past before she forsakes a future with the man she loves. She is still in turmoil over the events of that fateful summer and winter 20 years ago when the tragedy of another local family, the Pyes, spilled over into their own lives with earth-shattering consequences. One dark night, a shivering Laurie, Pye's only son, stands mute in their porchlight, straining to share something with them but, startled, turns and runs away. The many strange, longing looks which pass between Matt and Marie, Pye's eldest daughter. And the awful night when Marie stands in their doorway whispering unspeakable horrors. In Kate's eyes, the Pye family drown out the hopes and dreams of her own in that one moment. But does the tragedy really lie in the past or is it in the present?" (From Amazon)
An amazing first novel. Beautifully written and haunting. I cannot wait for her next novel.
"Narrated by 26-year-old Kate Morrison, we dive in and out of the troubled woman's childhood memories over the passage of a year--when she was seven and her parents were killed in a motoring accident, leaving Kate, her younger sister Bo and two older brothers Matt and Luke orphaned. The proverbial can of worms is opened for our heroine when she receives an invitation to Matt's son's 18th birthday. The successful zoologist and professor, so accustomed to dissecting everything through a microscope, must suddenly analyse her own relationship and come to terms with her past before she forsakes a future with the man she loves. She is still in turmoil over the events of that fateful summer and winter 20 years ago when the tragedy of another local family, the Pyes, spilled over into their own lives with earth-shattering consequences. One dark night, a shivering Laurie, Pye's only son, stands mute in their porchlight, straining to share something with them but, startled, turns and runs away. The many strange, longing looks which pass between Matt and Marie, Pye's eldest daughter. And the awful night when Marie stands in their doorway whispering unspeakable horrors. In Kate's eyes, the Pye family drown out the hopes and dreams of her own in that one moment. But does the tragedy really lie in the past or is it in the present?" (From Amazon)
An amazing first novel. Beautifully written and haunting. I cannot wait for her next novel.
comfort_33's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
eleganthedgehogs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Penny shared after A Town called Solace Christmas book. Some don’t like slow character focus books but some really loved reading about the characters who were brought to life with small observations.
natara_ng's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
tonimeter's review
5.0
Crow Lake is Mary Lawson's debut novel which is very strong, and just the type of read I needed.
Atmospheric, emotional, and a very touching family story. All of the characters felt so real that you just feel the connection with them while reading this.
Atmospheric, emotional, and a very touching family story. All of the characters felt so real that you just feel the connection with them while reading this.
ainsleyshannon's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hyac1nth's review against another edition
3.0
Library book club. I like this much better after our discussion. While reading, I disliked the regular foreshadowing.
leorejoanne's review against another edition
2.0
So so. A complex intrigue about a broken family.
The interesting thing in this book, is the way Kate sees things, and how she gradually comes to realise that other people (such as her beloved brother) don't see these things in the same light, which causes the way she views the world, and past memories - to change.
The little tidbits about life in the ponds were cute and enjoyable.
Overall, a very fast reaf, nice, but not too exciting.
22.3.07
The interesting thing in this book, is the way Kate sees things, and how she gradually comes to realise that other people (such as her beloved brother) don't see these things in the same light, which causes the way she views the world, and past memories - to change.
The little tidbits about life in the ponds were cute and enjoyable.
Overall, a very fast reaf, nice, but not too exciting.
22.3.07