You know how the characters in Lost drag things out for a painfully long time just by not asking pertinent questions, or sharing relevant information? Yeah, this book was like that--only worse, because it's really a simple story that could have been told in novella-length. (Also, no Sawyer!! -_-;;) ( )

Amanda, nurse returns home to her sister and niece after suffering from unexplained bouts of fatigue.

Her sister drowns in a lake by their house off an island, and she raises her niece, Ruth on their family farm. Ruth's father, Carl, wounded in the war, arrives back, and Amanda assumes the role of care-giver to help him mend.

The story alternates between Amanda and Ruth, between different time periods. There is a mystery surrounding Amanda. Why is she so reticent? Why does she not want Ruth to go into the water? Why does she not want Carl and Ruth to go to the island? And why is she fascinated with Imogene?

The mystery is an interesting one. The manner in which it is written is not. None of the characters were particularly well drawn out. I'd recommend this only to those who enjoy insipid novels. ( )

I have surprisingly little to say about this book. It kept my attention at a time when I had little else to do but read, but it was not a real page turner. The secrets that come out among the characters were worth the wait, th4e characters themselves were fairly three-dimensional, and the description of rural Wisconsin in the first half of the 20th century was compelling. The ending, however, was a bit of a letdown, even though it appeared to be implying a kind of happy ending. I think my problem was that I felt dislike for Amanda rather than the sympathy I imagine the author was attempting to invoke. I felt she was obsessive and selfish from the very beginning. Her remorse about the death of her sister was not convincing and I did not care much about what happened to her, even though she was basically the main character. The rest of the story was good, and perhaps another reader would empathize more with the posessive Amanda than I did. ( )

‘Enjoyed’ may be the wrong word for this almost dark tale. But the story drew me in and fixed me so firmly among these vivid characters on their lake in Wisconsin that I could not leave until the author released me by providing no further words.

Dispensing with the book description, since it’s on the works page; let me just give you my impression. And I AM impressed. As the story unfolds through the memories of a woman and her niece, it is exquisitely paced. It tantalizes you, knowing, with each revelation, that there is more unremembered or yet unmet, and wondering if she will remember enough, or have courage enough, to share it with you the next time you meet her in the story.

The setting, a lakeside small town, a farming and fishing community; the story takes place from about 1910 through the 1930s. The characters, setting, situations and dialog felt true to its time period. One turn of the story left me thinking, ‘nah, that couldn’t have happened in that way’. But, the characterization, the sense of place in its Wisconsin setting, an interesting mystery and its method and timing of revelation, details which enrich rather than bog – QUITE well done.

***SPOILER ALERT*** The mystery turns on something that in former times would have been considered taboo. Part of the story, then, was about trying to keep that secret, and still live a ‘normal’ life, and watching the after-effects and not knowing what to do about it. Strong women, relying only on their own strength and wits to solve their own problems, with no remorse admitted, but living with consequences.

Recommended. Highly. ( )

Random House audiobook read by Blair Brown