Summer at the Lake

I was referred to Greeley by my mother. The thought of a Catholic priest writing these type of stories intrigued me. I have to disagree with some of the other people writing reviews of this book. This book was a good read. I had a hard time putting it down. The plot involving both the love lost and mystery was very interesting. And, Greely's use of different narrators gives a good perspective on what everyone was thinking and feeling at the time. I feel that the switching of narrators and the flashbacks enhanced the story. As for Greely writing about love, why shouldn't a Catholic priest write about that sort of thing? Like the other reviewer, I was raised Catholic. However, unlike the other reviewer I praise Greely for writing about love and was not disgusted by it. Catholic priests are human too, and Packy's character gives a lot of insight into the fact that priests' experience the same emotions that the rest of us do! Keep up the good work Greeley!

What's the true test of whether it's a good book or not? When you can't bear to put it down and you don't want it to end, it's a good book! Greeley has characters with whom you can identify, a plot that keeps you going and a setting that makes you long for those big old houses by a pristine lake on summer days uncomplicated by bumper to bumper traffic and air pollution. I read the other reviews and wonder if everybody is so uptight these days that they can't imagine just laying back under an oak tree and reading a good book - not a great book, not a great work of literature. Just a good book. Lighten up, get a life, smell the flowers and learn to love just a "good" book.

This was the first book I read by Andrew Greeley, and I have to say I thought it was pretty good. I don't normally read anything remotely connected to romance but, on the recommendation of a friend, I read this book. The struggles of Patrick "Packy" to come to grips with his priesthood, his love for Jane, and his friendship with Leo was thought provoking, I always wondered what priests went through in that respect.

The story of Leo, "Packy" and Jane through two summers was moving and compelling. It reminded me that the decisions we make in our "childhood" often affect us throughout our entire lives. It is also a story of how love can overcome all obstacles and that "old" friends are the best. Fr. Greeley, has his finger on the pulse of what motivates people, including priests. His books remind us that even though the characters have chosen to follow God and be in his service, that they still have passions and feelings like the rest of us, and in fact, are really no different than the rest of us. Very comforting!