Rating: 
Summary: A Story of Sacrifice
Review: This is an extraordinary novel about sacrificing what you most want in life and shattering dreams in the process.Lawson has set the story in rural Ontario revolving around a farming community. The descriptions of the land and encompassing environment is both stark and beautiful. The author has demonstrated her ability to tie the surroundings in with her characters and plot. Both are reliant upon each other. The story is narrated by Kate, the second youngest in a family that has just learned that their parents have been killed and they are now orphans, struggling to stay together and exist as a family. Through this storyline the author is able to reveal the true nature of family relationships and ones expectations on certain outcomes. Unfortunately, as Kate learns, things are not always as they appear. By way of vivid characterization of all the siblings, Luke, Matt, Bo and of course Kate, the reader is able to fully capture the reality of their situation and how the past and present often collide with one another. This was a wonderful read for me. I will look forward to Ms. Lawson's next novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Where's The Ending?????????
Review: I threw this book across the room when I was finished. Literally. I was interested in the characters. I was interested in the story. It drew me in. That I can admit. But what was the payoff? I'll tell you what it was - NO ENDING! That is my pet peeve.
Rating: 
Summary: A pleasure
Review: I picked this book up at random, having heard nothing about it, and I was not disappointed. The spare but expressive style of the narrative is well-suited to its subject: a landscape and a people whose surface belies all that is happening underneath. The characterization of the brothers, Luke and Matt, and the narrator, Katie is excellent. The only exception being the little sister, Bo (the only character based on a real person) whose depiction is, for some reason, flat and one-dimensional. All in all though, this book is very well written. A good story, and worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: Almost Flawless
Review: What a pleasure it was to read this novel, such a refreshing, honest and sincere look at family tragedy and redemption. This is not your typical "dysfunctional family" fare although you might think that by reading the book jacket..... young girl and her siblings are orphaned when parents are killled in a car accident. Yes that does set the stage for this book, but the story itself is not limited to a melodramatic interpretation of the outcomes of that event. The author flawlessly weaves the narration of the main character Kate between the past and present, it's as skilled and understated a portrayal as I have ever read. This novel would be an excellent choice for a bookclub, I give it an unconditional recommendation.
Rating:
Summary: You won't want to put this book down!
Review: I highly recommend "Crow Lake." Mary Lawson paints such vivid portraits of Luke, Matt, Kate, and Bo that I feel as if I have known them for a long time. She weaves the past with the present skillfully. Her dialogue rings true without exception, and her narrative is simultaneously descriptive and spare. My only question is: When will her next novel be published?
Rating:
Summary: A Treat!
Review: Mary Lawson's debut novel, "Crow Lake" is a real treat. Her descriptions of Ontario, the farming community and especially the special pond, rich with life, are evocative of both Barbara Kinsolver and Margaret Atwood. This is an extremely satisfying novel about growing up and how the things we think are important change with age and maturity. I'm planning to recommend this novel to my nieces who are 14 and 15. It's not juvenile fiction, but I think it appropriate for young women who are themselves learning about life and the choices made in adolescence.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent read....impossible to put down.
Review: Mary Lawson's book is very well-written and engaging. She does a wonderful job of developing the characters so they seem to be real people who have consistency in their personalities. I thought she did a fantastic job with the setting, the dialog, etc. I will definitely read her next book. I recommend this book whole-heartedly. This is the best book I've read this year.
Rating:
Summary: beautiful, engaging novel
Review: This is a wonderful, beautifully written novel that grabbed me from the beginning and wouldn't let go until I had finished it. The author's tone was perfect as the main characters learned about life, each other and themselves. I was so wrapped up in the story, I was surprised when I got to the end! I wasn't quite ready to let go of this family. I look forward to Ms. Lawson's next book, take a chance and read this one, I'm sure you will be as satisfied as I was.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful book about nature and human relationships
Review: Mary Lawson weaves the present and past together wonderfully, moving from one time frame to another effortlessly without ever confusing her readers. She evokes the perspective and experiences of a child, but with the knowledge and understanding of an adult looking back. Although its family, plot and setting are completely different, this book reminds me of "To Kill a Mockingbird" in its viewpoint and in the importance of its environment to the characters and plot. In both books, momentous events are related as seen by a child. It's a book to reread over and over because the reader will discover more each time.
Rating:
Summary: Compelling, heartbreaking and ultimately believable!
Review: Mary Lawson has written an enchanting, compelling, hearwrenching story of 4 orphaned children determined to get on with their lives, on their own, so that they may all be together. Sacrifices are made and hearts are broken. The scenes by the pond are particularily enchanting and the sweet, sensitive Kate is totally irresistible. Ms. Lawson has written each character in such a way that you care about each and every one. I do hope she has another novel soon to be released.
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