Mirror Lake

"Mirror Lake" is an exemplary debut novel which explores the full range of human emotions. Christopher Burns offers a powerful reading. In this story we meet two men who would probably have never even taken notice of each other had it not been for a dangerous quirk of nature. The younger of the two, Nathan Carter is still in his twenties. He's come to Vermont following his father's death. When his jeep runs off the road during a blinding snow storm, 79-year-old Wallace Fiske becomes his care giver. But Wallace gives more than nursing, he tells Nathan his story which centers on his marriage to Nora. Is Wallace embellishing the truth or is he relating his past life as it actually took place? When Nathan begins to try to discover for himself what really happened some half a century before he discovers a number of surprising things about himself. Greene's absorbing tale is both entertaining and thought provoking. - Gail Cooke

Mirror Lake tempted my own desires as each character pulled a different emotion. I connected most with Nora, a woman captured by the beauty of nature while enjoying a life lived off the land. An uncomplicated woman at first, her life becomes more three dimensional with each page - many moments dealing with love and grief. My most loved aspect of the book is the description of drink and scenery. It allowed me to close my eyes and relax into a winter slumber in the middle of July.

Mirror Lake is an exceptional novel. The two main characters are incredibly "human", the conflicts compelling. Greene's descriptions of the Vermont countryside convey the ruggedness and beauty of that landscape as effectively as any I have read. The frequent juxtaposition of descriptions of the foreboding and flawed yet wondrous natural setting perfectly serves to emphasize the development of character and plot in a way that is both moving and natural. Greene's characters, exceptional pacing and melancholy voice captured me, both in terms of emotional impact and taut story telling, as few novels have. I plan to revisit "Mirror Lake" in the near future. A fine achievement. Highly recommended.

I sat in my back yard and read and read and read. I had to put it down to prepare dinner or I would have been there throughout the night! I LOVED this book! I particulary enjoyed the character of Nathan who told the story. He is a young man who befreinds a difficult seventy year old man who holds a secret. I could not let go until I discovered that secret. I found the descriptions of the scenery in Vermont, whether it be the trees, mud season, snow covered mountains, rushing rivers or whatever. fascinating. I I have never been to Vermont but am already planning a trip based on what I have read. The title "Mirror Lake" is appropriate because it plays a large part in the story. If there is an actual Mirror Lake, I would like to find it. I intentionally seek out first time authors and this book is one of the best in that category that I have read. It reads with clarity which I do not come across often. I can visualize the characters and can certainly see it as a film and hope that that will be the case. There is something for every reader: love, mystery, beautiful scenery, characters you can believe in. I am looking forward to re-reading it - I found myself cheating by skimming through it in order to find answers!

Greene is a natural born storyteller. I fell quickly under the spell of "Mirror Lake" and its story within a story. The prose is very lyrical, with lovely descriptions of the Vermont landscape. There's a little bit of everything: romance, suspense, drama. I read the whole thing in one weekend - I just kept coming back to it! Summer reading at its best...