The Lake of Dreams

The Lake of Dreams is the second novel from Kim Edwards, author of the acclaimed The Memory Keeper’s Daughter and is a delicate exploration of family dynamics and histories. Lucy Jarrett returns home after many years absence to a changed place.

Still haunted by her father’s death a decade ago and unable to reconcile herself between home-life and independence, Lucy begins to question her desires and her choices. A chance discovery of some letters and a collection of stained glass windows soon sets Lucy on a journey to reveal the truth behind her family’s history and she is forced to make decisions about the direction of her life and those around her.

The story is occasionally a little slow moving, but The Lake of Dreams is a vibrant and beautiful book and Edwards creates a charming and captivating world. The characters are handled with a tender empathy and though Lucy Jarratt is sometimes a petulant and disagreeable protagonist, it is Edwards’ honest portrayals of human relationships that make this novel an evocative and emotional read.

Bryony Byrne