The Boy in the Lake

by Eric Swanson

Shifting back and forth between the past and the present, this harrowing novel follows two friends who have long since lost touch as they come back together and relive a shattering betrayal from their childhood. By the author of The Greenhouse Effect. 15,000 first printing.

Genres: Gay, Fiction, Gay Fiction, LGBT, Literary Fiction

240 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1999

Reviews

[Michael Joe Armijo · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are Three Films Would Greatly Complement this Book...

As I read this book...I had flashbacks of three films that I absolutely LOVED: "The Other" Directed by Robert Mulligan in 1972; "The Prince Of Tides" Directed by Barbra Streisand in 1991; "October Sky" Directed by Joe Johnston in 1999. I found something in common with this author: "Our age". I grew up in the 70's and I could relate to his flashbacks as a child in many ways. There were times when he mentioned names like "Holland" and "little brother" that made me think of the movie "The Other". The scandal occurrence in the barn made me think of "The Prince of Tides". Growing up as a child in a coal mining town reminded me of the film "October Sky". This was really a nice book to read. I give it a B+. The writing is excellent if you take the time to 'get into it'. I liked how he segmented the book into three parts: Tattoos, Hunting, Ashes. The titles are key remembrances to the main characters' life. I bet a book could have been expanded on for each of the three parts. The more I dwell on the book the more I'm glad I read it. I saw Patti Lupone in 'Matters of The Heart' last night in NYC @ Lincoln Center and laughed to myself when she made a joke about being in love and calling someone & letting the phone ring 20, 30 or 40 times...before answering machines existed. It's funny...because that joke was written in this book. It's clear we all get our ideas from SOMEWHERE.

[Tess Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing was great - reaches off the page. The plot not so much. I really enjoyed his self-deprecating, subtly sarcastic voice. The main character takes his time and reveals his flaws slowly at first and then much more quickly when you realize his denial of himself and the denial of what he did as a child are linked. I almost wanted a different voice or character to step in and see this man so that the reader could also see him - not as the kite-runner-esque child but as the more languid and secretive adult.


Bibliotherapy: for those who are satisfied with their lives & are happy. Maybe.

[Bart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give the book a B+. Quite a remarkable first novel, especially for so young a writer.

The book is quite spare, but it is well, well written and achingly beautiful in places. The restraint mostly works in its favor, but there could have been a bit more flesh on some of the bones of this story.

To my knowledge, the author hasn’t written anything else since. And that is a real shame.

[Nancy Tompkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good parts but confusing at times- the ending was disappointing!

[Kaylie Longley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good writing shows, not tells. Often, great writing reveals with minimal words. Such is the case for Swanson’s The Boy in the Lake. This slim novel is hefty, discussing the perverse nature of memory and the lies and truths we tell to try to understand ourselves. Christian, a therapist, acts as narrator, recounting the moments of his childhood when he lived with his grandmother, explored his sexuality, and betrayed his best friend, Reis. As Christian quietly reveals his mistakes, we learn that one of his patients killed himself. The death of Christian’s grandmother forces him to confront the past. Christian visits home, and his quest for redemption is heartbreaking and genuinely real. At first, I wasn't sure where the novel was headed, but in Christian’s desperation for understanding himself, his clients, and his former best friend, the book became increasingly more engaging. A gentle yet raw book.

[Garnet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I especially enjoyed the writing of this author. For the first half of the book I wasn't quite sure where it was going, however the writing kept you engaged. Swanson effectively takes a reader in their 50's back to their youth to the 1970's and offers up that time, both in time and emotion. A great read for anyone who has ever knowingly wronged someone and years later wished for redemption. Very atmospheric.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I told Reis there wouldn't be anyone in the barn."

"I didn't move until the first cry sounded from behind the stall door, and then abruptly I was outside, running down the hill. Away from the barn, anywhere, into the meadow below."

[Kara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Depressing, and kind of anti-climatic.

[Maryah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasant reading. The ending reminded me of a key scene in "The Kite Runner" and the sense of betrayal and regret are the same though this one has a less satisfying ending.