Tuesday 23 September 2014

Review: Black Lake by Johanna Lane





An ancestral mansion lived in by many generations of the same family, some secrets, a dysfunctional family. Black Lake is a contemporary take on the classic Irish Big House novel. At the beginning of the novel, a girl’s mother takes her to occupy the ballroom in their former home, Dulough.

Black Lake begins with the aftermath of a tragedy. The rest of the story is told from several narrative points of view, that of the girl, Kate, her brother Philip, her father and mother. I really liked being able to read about events from each character’s perspective.

Johanna Lane skilfully evokes the atmosphere of the place and the stories of the family, creating a powerful and moving debut novel.

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