Rating: 
Summary: Depth of Character...No fluff here.
Review: I was extremely surprised with this lovely story. In a day when excitment and plot twists are needed to give adrenalin junkies their shot for the day, it was so refreshing to read a story where the characters were people who we might see every day but are not the glitzy media heros usually adored and sought after. We see young men putting others first, thinking of the family's needs above their own, demonstrating integrity, self control and kindness. We see a young woman, Kate, who feels she has learned it all but in the end she is confronted with truth from someone who had never impressed her before. Kate faces the accusation and actually learns something about herself and something about those she loves. Dare I say it? She learns a life lesson. This truly becomes deeper and deeper as the characters and the shadings of their lives impact who they become. They are people of substance. I will look forward to more from this author.
Rating: 
Summary: Easy but deep!
Review: I figured this book would be the typical story about poor orphans who have to be raised apart, etc. but I loved the entire thing! I thought it was truly a tragedy when each child gave up the opportunity to go to college because of a much greater need to stay at home. The whole thing was very touching and enjoyable. Completely impossible to believe that this could happen, especially in this day with social services appearing when someone dies, but that's what makes this what it is.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Worth the Hype
Review: This book is a quick, easy read that lacks any real substance. I don't really understand why it's received so much acclaim. Like many other reviewers on this site, I am puzzled by Lawson's choice to frame this story in the conetxt of a "mystery". She frequently makes allusions to some huge tragedy that befalls Matt after their parents' death, and it was this curiosity to find out what this tragedy actually was that led me to finish this book in one afternoon. In fact, there isn't really any "tragedy", just a small series of unfortunate (but pretty common) events that happen to a lot of people. The ending is most definitely a let-down. Also, I agree with other reviewers that Kate is a very unlikeable heroine. I couldn't relate to her at all: I found her to be cold and judgemental, and as a result I had problems really becoming interested in her story. I think Matt would have made a far more interesting protagonist.Bottom line:This books is better written than most, but it is not at all a book that I would recommend to friends. More iportantly, this books is NOT reminiscent of Margaret Laurence or Carol Shields. (I've heard these comparisons mentioned in many book reviews that I've read offline, and I just don't see it). I love most books by either of those authors, and it is clear that this book just isn't in their league.
Rating:
Summary: The effects of surface tension on the biosphere
Review: Mary Lawson's terse tale of family tragedy, triumph, and every day dirty diapers in Northern Ontario ripples on many levels as the orphaned Morrison children make their way through muddy waters. Brother Matt teaches Kate the fine art of pond gazing, which she later makes into an academic career. Some stay up on the farm. Lawson makes Kate and the reader consider: Who's in the Backwater and who's living the large life? /TundraVision, Amazon Reviewer
Rating: 
Summary: Does not live up to the expectations
Review: This book is beautifully written but it is nothing more than a forgettable summer read. I kept reading on a fast pace, waiting for the great "tragedies" to reveal themselves and in the end it was nothing more than run-of-the-mill family conflicts and regrets. We all have "tragedies" like that in our families. It is almost insulting, you keep feeling that the author exaggerates so much, while waiting for the story line to deliver a punch. She should have taken a deeper look at the sad and frequent tragedies that a lot of families deal with before writing such an ambitious book. It was very dissappointing.
Rating:
Summary: Nice read, interesting flashbacks keep you turning the pages
Review: I picked this book because I found it on someone else's listmania list and it was ranked fairly well. The story is written from the perspective of the main character, Kate. She is now an adult and college professor, but for the majority of the novel (and in my opinion the most interesting parts) she is flashing back to her childhood. Specifically, the flashbacks start soon before her parents are killed in an auto accident. She and her two older brothers and younger sister go through a series of events that are described beautifully through the eyes of a young Kate. These childhood events not only tell a lovely story, but also are influential towards the end of the book when Kate, as an adult, comes to terms with her and her loved ones' choices. This book I found to be a really nice read, not earth shattering, but a very lovely story.
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