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Summary: Family loyalties
Review: Great-grandmother Morrison taught her family that education is the most important priority in life. To that end, each generation has inched its way closer to the dream of a college education. In her son's family, Luke, the eldest child, has received a scholarship to attend teachers' college and to realize the dreams of his ancestor. Tragedy occurs, however, and Luke must put off going to college to help his family. His dreams are passed on to his brother Matt who wanders the ponds of Crow Lake with little sister Kate (the book's narrator) while he teaches her everything he knows about the little creatures within the pond. In turn, Matt's dreams are shattered and Kate is left to fulfill the family's desire for an education. Sadly, this very education serves to separate her from the siblings who were once the center of her world. When she is invited back to Crow Lake for her nephew's birthday, she is forced to face old demons and to have a meeting between her current life, as exemplified by her boyfriend Daniel, and her past, represented by her family. This brief description does little to convey the power of this beautiful novel which is all about the things that matter most to us--family, careers, and priorities in our lives. This is a wonderful book and I look forward to reading more from this inspiring author.
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Summary: A relaxing trip into Ontario's North
Review: I waited over a year to read this book, and it didn't disappoint me. Mary Lawson's writing weaves a beautiful tale that holds the attention of the reader from the first page, and continues to captivate until the last. It's the only book where I've ever felt the story takes second place to the sheer beauty of her writing.
Rating: 
Summary: well...
Review: All the great reviews lead me to read this book,
The characters are interested and it is a good read.
But it told me a very long time to finish due to I am not addictive to this story at all, I could read and drop the book down anytime. And sometimes it's hard to pick it up again.
It would be great if there are more to happen and more conversations would be more interesting.
Rating: 
Summary: Triumphant story of love and sacrifice.............
Review: Mary Lawson's debut novel is an astounding accomplishment.
Crow Lake is the triumphant story of a family that is devastated by the loss of both parents in a tragic accident, but held together by love and sacrifice. The characters are wonderfully defined. The different aspects to their characters are polished like river worn stones, displaying a strength and natural beauty viewed only by those that take the time to really look. Mary Lawson takes life in a small farm village and pieces it carefully together crafting this beautiful story that centers on the life of a young woman learning that what she believes to be important in life does not necessarily hold true for her siblings. It explores the sacrifices made in love and the strength of character that evolves. It is an emotional coming of age story that pulls at your heart and opens your eyes to the happiness and joy people find in their lives in unexpected places.
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Summary: Another great Canadian author to add to the list!
Review: I had the pleasure to see Mrs. Lawson in Calgary during Canadian Book Week. Mary Lawson read to us from her novel 'Crow Lake'. She started the story of Kate and Matt and their two other siblings Bo and Luke.Kate Morrison, now a 26 year old successful zoologist and professor tells us the story that began when she was 7 years old and the the day her parents were killed in a car accident. Leaving her older brothers, Luke and Matt to care for herself and her baby sister, Bo. Luke gives up a chance at teacher's school to raise Kate and Bo and give Matt, the smarter of the two, a chance to go off to university. Kate tells her story of the next year of her life and about how she got to her present day predictament. Throughout the story, we can see some great siblings relationships but also resentment and tension. This book is a 5 star read and I suggest everyone read it. Mary Lawson brings out emotions and Northern Ontario like no one else out there.
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Summary: I was disappointed!
Review: I had read the reviews of Crow Lake and looked forward to reading it, but I didn't really enjoy it. It was an okay read, but lacked depth and character development. I think the author attempted to make the story suspenseful, but failed. A disappointing read.
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Summary: Victoria
Review: I picked this up in an airport and read it in one day. It's not fast-paced but has such an interesting and adept writing style that I couldn't put it down. Although I would have liked a little more knowledge about the years between 7 and 26 in Kate's life, now that I've finished the book I can imagine just what those years might have been like. I will definitely be recommending this book to both of my book groups. We should have some great conversations about family expectations! This is a definite must read.
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Summary: Lawson=TALENT!
Review: Mary Lawson's debut novel, Crow lake, is by far one of the best books I have ever read. When I started reading, I could not put the book down. I was automatically drawn into the story, as if it were my own. It is about four kids and their struggle to survive after their parents die in car accident. It takes place in Northern Ontario, in a small farming community called Crow Lake. The story is narrated by Kate Morrison, as a devastated 7 year old, and a 27 yaer old zoology professor at a university in Toronto. Kate reveals her life story, along with those of her three siblings, Luke, Matt, and Bo. They make compromises and delay their indivual dreams in order to stay together, as what was once a family. Kate feels a tremendous amount of guilt, simply because her older brother's gave their dreams up in order to raise her and Bo, the way their parents would have wanted it. She hardly ever sees or talks to the three, until she receives an invitation from Matt's son. Now she is forced to revisit her childhood and those haunting memories of Crow Lake. Kate describes Crow Lake as somewhat of an isolated world. The neighbors, the Pyes are known as a very disturbed family. They are relentlessly violent, and somewhat infectious. It seemed to be passed on throughout the generations of the family, and could not be ignored. Eventually the worlds of the two collide in unexpected ways. Lawson has an immense talent for story, giving just enough along the way, to keep you going, but distarcting you from what is really happening and without giving too much away. She pulled me into the story, and kept me there and I am still there. Her descriptions are rich, without being mind numbing, and allows you to enjoy it. You definately will not struggle to finish this book; you will want to read it over and over!
Rating: 
Summary: Waiting for something to happen
Review: Crow Lake has interesting characters and suspense--that goes almost nowhere. The Pye tragedy is almost entirely offstage and understated. The murder is discovered years later! Kate's huge problem with her family is that brilliant Matt became a farmer. For this she disassociates herself from her family? For this she becomes a microbiologist who can't relate to her students? I read this book in one afternoon. It is slight in several ways. Yes, it's a good first novella.
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Summary: Guarenteed Great Read
Review: I started reading Crow Lake and immediately cared about the characters and their lives. When a book can do this, I know I can settle into a book. I really appreciated the author's ability to weave the story through several different times, going back and forth seemlessly to paint a complete picture for the reader. Read this book, you won't regret it.
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