Your Oasis on Flame Lake

3.5***

A quote from Landvik’s debut novel - Patty Jane’s House of Curl - stays with me: What a big chunk of God is to be found by looking into the face of someone you love. In her second novel (published in 1997), Landvik continues to explore this idea. I’ve been a fan of hers for a while – I loved her debut work and have read several of her books, but somehow I missed this one until now.

The novel follows two families - BiDi (pronounced B-D) and Devera have been friends since childhood; their husbands Sergio and Dick are close confidants to each other, and their children share teen secrets. The women were voted “least changed” at their recent 20th high school reunions – a label they do not find appealing; but despite how show more others perceive them, change is inevitable. Their stories are told in alternating chapters – each of the adults and the youngest daughter, Darcy, take turns narrating. This allows the reader to have information that may be hidden from the other characters.

Landvik’s works are populated by quirky characters, usually living in relatively small towns, with a real sense of community. Flame Lake is typical of her books in this regard. I felt I got to know the inhabitants of the town through these two families and their interactions. But I was surprised to find that the male characters were much more likeable than the women; that doesn’t happen often in novels written by women. Still, I enjoyed the book and liked spending time looking at this chapter in their lives. show less

The small town of Flame Lake, Minnesota, is the setting for this character driven story centered around 2 families: Dick, Devera, Lin and Darcy Lindstrom and Sergio and Bidi Hererra and her daughter, Frannie, from Bidi's first marriage. The story is told in alternating chapters by the 4 adults and 12-year-old Darcy. Devera and Bidi have been best friends for years and now that they are about to enter their 40's they are not sure that are entirely happy with their lives. Dev, especially, is restless and subject to panic attacks. Thinking that a return to college would give her life focus, she instead ends up in a listless affair with her college professor, a man she neither likes nor respects. Bidi feels the only asset she possesses is show more her perfect body and she spends countless hours dieting, exercising and popping speed. Bidi has little patience for her 14-year-old daughter, Frannie, who is heavy-set, plain and so much a tomboy that she is the only girl on the high school hockey team. Sergio, however, adores his stepdaughter and cannot understand how Bidi can verbally abuse her child, constantly shaming her with cruel insults. Dick has always wanted to own a nightclub and he converts the large cellar of his house on Flame Lake into "Your Oasis on Flame Lake", a club with a stage that anyone who wants to can step up and perform. A crisis with Frannie causes friction among the 4 adults bringing secrets to the surface and a tragic retaliation that will impact the entire town.

I have always enjoyed Landvik's stories and I liked this one too. The characters are certainly well drawn but they are just a bit too quirky to seem realistic to me. The storyline that begins with Frannie's crisis is heartbreaking and difficult and one that should have deep repercussions on all of the characters for the rest of their lives. show less

Places spiral bookbox; two middle-aged families with teens, each of the parents going through a middle-age crisis. Told in alternating voices as they navigate the changes, it's an easy, enjoyable read. The title refers to Dick's "nightclub" in the basement - I can just see the 1990's basement remodel with the track lighting! Good ending.

Told from the points of view of several different characters, this novel slowly reveals the relationships between different characters in a town located on Flame Lake. Dick and Devera have a seemingly solid marriage but Devera is going through something like a midlife crisis. Her best friend BiDi is married to her second husband, Sergio, who loves her dearly but is frustrated by how she treats his step-daughter, Franny, who does not live up to BiDi's idea of beauty or femininity. As various minor tragedies occur to these two families, each character tells his or her side of the story. While the different "voices" are not always distinguishable (thank goodness the author identifies each at the beginning of the chapter), this technique show more allows the reader to see how each character is truly effected by the events.

Landvik always incorporates humor into her works and Your Oasis is no exception. Dick opens a nightclub in their basement, for goodness sake! She also employs some brilliantly funny turns of phrase, even in the midst of dramatic scenes.

Very easy to read and enjoyable but not fluff. The novel deals with emotions that we've all felt as kids and adults. show less

This is another great Lorna Landvik book.

Devera is a woman in the midst of a mid-life crisis - she has a wonderful family -a quirky husband who cares for her, two daughters - Lin in the midst of of teenage angst and Darcy a sweet and quirky 11 year old.

Her best friend is a spoiled rotten biddy name BiDi. BiDi believes that she is the best, the brightest, and the most of the small town of White Falls. Really she is a tease still living in her high school fantasies. Her first marriage to Big Mike fell apart and she fell in love again with Sergio, a high energy latin baker. BiDi's daughter Franny follows her father Big Mike's size and hockey skills much to BiDi's dismay. She expects her daughter to follow her size two shape.

Into all of show more this mix Dick, Devera's husband opens a night club in the redone basement of their home. He has decorated with movie posters, candles, black curtains and lots of love. He christens it Oasis on Flame Lake. And much to everyone's surprise it's a big hit.

But Dev makes a terrible choice that will shake their foudations. Franny is vicisouly attacked after she scores a winning goal in a hockey championship and the retailiations put Darcy, in grave danger.

Once again I like that Landvik takes a normal small town life and adds the drama of life. Each of the chapters in this book are written by one of 5 characters - Darcy, Sergio, Dick, BiDi or Dev. The consistency of their point of view added to my sympathy or lack there of.

Another strong recommendation! show less

I love Landvik's books. This is a fun one, written in several voices, changing view point, chapter by chapter.

This is one of Landvik's best. Suburban families, different generations, interesting situations. I read this book serveal years ago and still remember it with fondness.