The Glass Lake
by Maeve Binchy

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Book Reviews of The Glass Lake

Book Review: A Page Turner, An Interesting Mother/Daughter Story
Summary: 5 Stars

The themes of family loyalty, judgement and friendship
run through this fine novel about the effects upon the
lives of others when one person decides to "follow her
bliss" and abandon family and homeland for love.

Do we recognize that Louis is a jerk? I admit I didn't
at first, I thought the author wanted to make him sympathetic
as a symbol of Lena's bid for freedom and happiness. But we
quickly see that although hard-working and loving, Louis
Gray just wasn't worth it; something Lena finds out the
hard way. I was even a little suprised towards the end
when he turned vicious and blackmailed the woman who's life
he practically destroyed. And it was so depressing to see
Lena pay for her foolish decisions with her own life. I had

hoped to see her start her life afresh and carry on as a
business tycoon.

So Lena is the doomed heroine, but Kit is destined for
happiness with her good guy Stevie. I'd have liked to have
seen more resolution with Emmett, or Sister Madeline.

Though set in the 50's, the plot could have happened
nowadays; the Catholic stricture against pre-marital intercourse
was only given lip service. Perhaps it was only the United States 1950's that held such a strong
anti-fornication stance.

I liked the way friendship love was showcased (Kit and
Cleo)family love (Kit and Martin, Kit and Emmett),step-
parent love, estranged-parent love, but I didn't quite
get the feel of the romantic pairings; WHY did Kit fall
for Stevie, just because he wasn't a drunk like his father?
WHY did Emmett fall for Anna, just because she visited him
as he convalesced that time? WHY did Martin and Maura
get together, just because they were mutually friendly
through the Kellys?

It was easy to be sympathetic towards most characters,
and I think the author wrote the male characters well.
At least they sounded believable on the great audiobook
I listened to, Kate Binchy does a wonderful array of
voices and accents, making the story truly come alive.

I would recommend The Glass Lake to Binchy fans and other
readers of British Isles family-saga fiction.

Summary of The Glass Lake

Family Saga Books

• Books > Subjects > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction
• Women's Fiction
• Literary