The Lake at the End of the World

by Caroline MacDonald

Diana, one of the sole survivors of a global environmental disaster in the twenty-first century, meets Hector, a boy from a mysterious underground community, and together they fight to save the world's remaining wildlife from destruction

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Post Apocalyptic, Dystopia, Science Fiction, Childrens, Fantasy

202 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Born in New Zealand, Caroline Macdonald moved to Australia in 1982 and passed away in Adelaide, South Australia.

She wrote mostly fantasy and science fiction for older children and young adults and her stories were often set in New Zealand or Australia.

Reviews

[Deb Omnivorous Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this charming dystopian novel it is 2025 and after an aggressive land clearing project the world abruptly became toxic and uninhabitable. Diana and her parents were living in the Southern hemisphere (Australia? More likely New Zealand - but never explicitly stated) in one small pocket of healthy land next to a lake. When the rest of society left, they and a few other small enclaves remained. It has been a over a year since any radio contact was made with any of the other pockets of humanity and Diana's mother is clearly in despair.

Hector was born and raised in an underground community, by an accident he finds his way through the protective maze to the surface where he eventually meets with Diana. Both teenagers are amazed and suspicious of the other - both have been taught to think that all strangers must have 'the sickness'.

But neither Diana nor Hector's story is as simple as the experienced dystopian reader might expect. There are twists and turns to the very nicely written novel and both Diana and Hector's world views are challenged by their experiences. It has dated a little, but not that much all things considered.

This was a very enjoyable, very well written book. Perhaps, these days, more for children or younger teens. I enjoyed it thoroughly and thoroughly agree that is deserved all the nominations and awards it received in the 80's.

[Discoverylover · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The year is 2025. When Hector ventures out from the underground community that has been isolated for over half a century, he doesn't know what awaits him. He certainly doesn't expect to find any survivors above ground. But then he meets Diana ... This is an exciting and challenging story of a developing relationship in a fragile world." (http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/eng...)

A relatively good book for teens by an author I haven't read before. Begging for a sequel! Ok beginning, the middle was a bit slow, but the ending was great!

[Mel (booksandsundry) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was read to me as a child in school by my teacher. I loved it so much that I attribute it as being the reason I now love SFF. I met Caroline MacDonald later when I was in high school and got the opportunity to thank her for her book and it meant a lot to me.

Reread 2025

I reread this as it’s set in 2025 and it felt appropriate. It holds up, though some simplicity in the story telling is very much for a young audience. I’d still recommend this to young readers.

[Sarah Thornton · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some books that, when you finish them, you hold them against you for a moment before returning them to a shelf.
This was one such book.

[Emma Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

some really interesting concepts but not what I would call gripping... an unexpected mix of straight forward post-apocalypse and magic lake.

[sapphire ophelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

i loved the book, will say it’s an easy read, infesting ideas in this book, would have loved to dive into a few other topics mentions and get more details

[Emkoshka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this YA dystopian is so of its time (late 1980s). Most life on Earth has perished due to a series of environmental disasters of the nuclear and chemical kind. The survivors are a family who live by a mystical lake (the stories told by the family are very close to magical realism and reminded me of Robbie Arnott's more recent writing) and a colony of cultists who have been living in a cave system since 1969. Oh yeah, and it's set in 2025, which must've seemed an eternity away when this novel was published but is now only three years off, yikes. The world-building wasn't that convincing compared to other post-apocalyptic stories I've read, but I did enjoy the magical realist aspects and the ending, which was very reminiscent of one of my favourite YA post-apocalyptic underground adventures, The City of Ember. I thought the protagonists' names (Hector and Diana, both figures of Greek mythology) would have some greater significance but maybe that was asking too much. Ultimately, a good read and I will probably keep it on my shelf as it's likely out of print these days.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book with my class in grade 6 1989 Mrs Weston. All these years later it has stuck in my mind and now that I’m 40+ I tracked down a copy on eBay and read it again. Great preteen read. I’m glad I also gave a copy to my niece. I enjoyed it again 30 years later!!

[Diana]

It's a young/adult reading. Interesting and easy going ... I like to have spent some time on this book, made me relax and enjoy.

[Elkaza · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a reread for me, reading it while in High School when it was the must read, winning many awards. How times have changed! This book came about when post-nuclear holocaust Y.A novels were a popular thing. Hence. the story is about 2 teens, a boy called Hector who dwells in an underground community, and a girl called Diana who dwells above ground, hence when they meet, they do not understand each other. Thus, they need to learn to work with other, to ensure the survial of their communities, amongst a world still stuggling with its horrific past.
But, its a simple read, and for a parents, there is nothing to worry about with this novel, there is no sexual themes or violence, its just a coming of age story that occurs through an expedition of its main characters.

[Nicholas Whyte · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/set-in-2025-6-the-lake-at-the-end-of-the-world-by-caroline-macdonald/

An Australian YA post-apocalyptic novel, where a teen girl and boy (and his faithful basset hound, Stewart) take the first tentative steps to rebuilding society. Her parents have eked out a living on the surface of a devastated and polluted world for years; his people have retreated underground to hide from the poisoned planet. Nothing very remarkable plot-wise, but the protagonists’ voices are caught distinctively and believably.

[Veronica-Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun mystery. A really enjoyable read told from two different points of view. Hector is from an underground community where he has lived without any knowledge of the outside world, and Diana, who has lived all her life outside and beside a mystical lake with only her parents for company. When these two teenagers collide, both of their lives and those around them are changed forever. Recommended.

[Bita · Rating 4 out of 5]

کتاب «دریاچه آخر دنیا» داستان معدود بازماندگان انسان روی کره‌ی زمین در سال ۲۰۲۵، چندین سال پس از یک فاجعه‌ی محیط‌زیستی را بیان می‌کند.
«کارولین مک دونالد» اغلب بر نوشتن رمان‌های علمی تخیلی و فانتزی برای مخاطبان نوجوان تمرکز داشته است. اغلب شخصیت‌های رمان‌های او، نوجوانانی تنها و دورافتاده از اجتماع هستند. او در نیوزیلند بزرگ شده و در استرالیا زندگی کرده است و ردپای اقلیم و سنت‌های کشوری که کودکی خود را در آن گذرانده است در کتاب‌هایش پیداست.
 

[Jac Buchanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as a child, and I loved it. As an adult, I can see the time in which it was written, and applaud the innocence that is reflected between the characters, and the undercurrent of privilege between them which is so wholly embedded in their own preconceptions.
The pace is somewhat lacking in modern times on account of minimal plot dynamics, thus not quite a 4-star review; however, in its heyday it would have been a strong 5-star.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful and interesting read targeting young teenagers. It has interesting concepts and poetic phrasing in parts.

[Cheryl]

Not Found

[izzy c · Rating 2 out of 5]

read for school, the first 100 pages bore me to death, but it picked up after. the ending felt too perfect but it was still a satisfying outcome. book cover hector did actual hector so dirty

[Kylie Wilber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been trying to get back into reading recently and this was a fun and quick start!

[Tess · Rating 2 out of 5]

great ending, but there were a few boring parts in there. so overall it it was not the best book

[Lumi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been racking my brains for days trying to remember the name of this book! No wonder it was difficult to find, it's an Australian book from the 80s. I read it in the 90s so all I could remember was something about a boy living in an underground cave system and then living in the forbidden aboveground, having to face challenges like weak eyesight and easily sunburnt skin. I vaguely remember him befriending a girl and possibly helping a sick person. My faulty memory wants to tell me it was an old man who had trouble walking but I think I'm mixing that up with another book. In any case, the internet says no.

From other descriptions I've been able to gather, this book is apparently set in a post-apocolyptic future Australia, devastated by environmental disaster. The boy Hector, escapes from an underground community and meets Diana, who lives with her parents by a mystical lake aboveground. (I totally don't remember this mystical lake. Hence the trouble remembering the title). Hector and Diana eventually have to venture underground again in order to get medicine for Diana's ill mother and face the ominous leader of the underground.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taught this a few times back in the 80s. Good text for upper primary or lower middle school. Similar in theme to the City of Ember series. Interesting use of dual narrators which was unusual at the time. Dystopian long before it was a heavily populated genre.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story. I read it in primary school (more than 20 years ago). Never forgotten it, and am now suggesting it to my 8 year old son.

[Kay - Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book I read at school and want to reread it so I bought it. I enjoyed rereading it as much as I enjoyed reading it the first time. It's a good book.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. A simple read; suitable for Middle School students who struggle with reading but exciting enough for better readers too.

[Emma Crew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favourite book as a tween

[a · Rating 2 out of 5]

felt very poorly planned, barely any plot, felt there wasn't a significant purpose to the story

[Emma Shortt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this yolks ago and had a re-read, glad I did!

[Adrian]

I read this when I was about 15 and loved it.

[Adrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book when I read it as a 15 year old!