Source: Little, Brown and Company
Hardcover, 224 pages
On Amazon, on Kobo
Black Lake by Johanna Lane is set in Northern Ireland at the Campbell estate of Dulough, which translates to Black Lake. A pool, a cold lake, hills, valleys, mountains, cottages, and a massive estate would seem overwhelming to any newlywed, and it is hard to believe that it can be run by just three people — John Campbell, Mary Connelly, and Francis Connelly. Woven with alternate points of view, Lane provides the reader with a well-rounded view of the hardships this family faces. Young Philip is named after the first ancestor who built Dulough and threw out the Irish tenants after the Great Famine, and he has a legacy that weighs heavily on his head, but he’s not the only Campbell to feel the weight of family history in this place. Will the deal with the government be enough to keep the family estate in tact or will the deal break this family from its moorings.
“Finally, he began clearing a patch of brambles and thistles; their roots went deep into the earth and he had to be content with lopping them off at ground level rather than pulling them out altogether.” (page 66-7 ARC)
John is a quiet man who knows how to deal with solitude in the Irish country, but his wife Marianne must grow accustom to the quieter life after living so long in Dublin. His ability to be alone becomes a detriment in matters of his family, though he does enjoy schooling the children at home. His relationship with his wife is enigmatic because he is less expressive, and she passively follows his lead until she reaches a breaking point.
“The whole painting gave the impression that Dulough might be engulfed at any moment, the lake rising to envelop the house, the sea covering the island, and the land reclaimed, the work of his ancestor obliterated.” (page 194 ARC)
Deep beneath the surface of this family are hidden bonds that only can surface in tragedy and loss. From a man who is backed into a corner to maintain a large estate without the inheritance to do so to wife and son who have come to love their home as much, if not more, than their ancestors. Black Lake by Johanna Lane is by turns as dreary as the rainy countryside and as dangerous as the quick-footed tide that nearly swallows the island where the estate church and graveyard lie. Readers will be swept away by Lane’s frail family and their struggles.
About the Author:
Johanna Lane was born in Ireland, studied English Literature in Scotland, and earned her MFA at Columbia University. She teaches composition and creative writing in New York City. Check out her Pinterest board for the book.
12th book for 2014 European Reading Challenge; (Set in Ireland)
32nd book for 2014 New Author Challenge.
2nd book for the Ireland Reading Challenge.