Reviews

Crow Lake - Takaisin kotiin by Mary Lawson

alisha247's review against another edition

Go to review page

reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

i was expecting to really enjoy this novel but unfortunately, kate as a character was completely insufferable and hard to empathise with. her obsession with her older brother was strange and she had an odd superiority complex. despite going through so many hardships as a child, she does not seem to have compassion for others and their situations but is over-critical and removed from her emotions. this may be a coping mechanism, but the end of the novel hints at kate forming some sort of self-realisation after all this time which i just didn’t find believable. 

the best part of this novel were the other characters in this small, isolated and tight-knit community, and their individual stories and temperaments. the “reveal” that is alluded to from the beginning was not surprising and as dramatic as described, and i guessed it from the start. 

also, the entire time whilst i was reading, i was completely confused as to what time period this novel is set in. crow lake and its inhabitants seem to be straight out of the 1950s, but kate’s life in the city seems much more modern. i would’ve appreciated some clarity!

melrubee's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

lilylanie's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

This was the first book in a long time that I have thoroughly enjoyed. The characters and story were completely real and engrossing. It was a little heavy on the foreshadowing for my likes, but for the most part I found that intriguing rather than irritating. A wonderful read.

pyrrha3's review against another edition

Go to review page

hopeful relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

cate_zh's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

emreadsbooksagain's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Good read. Nice little page turner without going to deep.

robert_vardill's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

doctorsophie's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-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

4.0

jenny_barton's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

oliviabd97's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Very readable and definitely a page-turner. I can’t help but feel like this book, right from the start, was leading up to a climax that never really came.