If you are someone who really needs plot to enjoy a book, The Lake probably won't be for you. The story follows Chihiro and Nakajima (two people who have lived somewhat lonely lives) who come together and find solace in one another. Chihiro is dealing with the grief of losing her mother, and Nakajima is dealing with the effects of a traumatic past. Together, they try to find a way to live happily.

This book has some interesting moments, but it takes a bit to get there. I found the beginning to be very slow and repetitive, and I wasn't sure if I wanted to keep reading. I just couldn't see where the story was going. But I am glad I didn't put it down. The second half of the book has some beautiful scenes and it was nice to see how Chihiro and Nakajima slowly fell in love. Banana Yoshimoto has a very meditative quality to her writing, and she describes the more mundane aspects of life in a way that seems tranquil. I really liked Chihiro as a character, and I loved that we got the story from her point of view.

I think overall, The Lake is a decent book. I thought some parts were too slow, and it really does not have any solid plot that it follows. It is a meandering kind of story. But I liked the characters, and I liked the way Banana Yoshimoto described their lives. It wasn't my favorite, but it was interesting