From the Bookshelf of Gentle SPECTRUMS…

The Lake of Dead Languages

Carol Goodman

Start date: March 21, 2016

Finish date: March 25, 2016

Why we're reading this: Need examples of what fits? "Languages" are components of "literature" to be sure.…more
[close] Need examples of what fits? "Languages" are components of "literature" to be sure.

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Mar 21, 2016 C. (Comment, never msg). rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: riedel-titles-2016

“The Lake Of Dead Languages” has history and dramatic content for a well-rounded story, about a horrid past circling to the present. Its many angles eventually strike profundity. For instance, June validates successful trios. She learned not to isolate one friendship. I have known many who limited themselves that way. My favourite commentary was how words and scenes are perceived differently: between observers, intellectual and emotional mindsets, and especially based on our information. The vil “The Lake Of Dead Languages” has history and dramatic content for a well-rounded story, about a horrid past circling to the present. Its many angles eventually strike profundity. For instance, June validates successful trios. She learned not to isolate one friendship. I have known many who limited themselves that way. My favourite commentary was how words and scenes are perceived differently: between observers, intellectual and emotional mindsets, and especially based on our information. The villain’s motives were rooted in misinterpreting many witnessed moments. June states her journal could sound different depending on the reader, including her older self. This was the most fascinating aspect for me: actively observing the meaning of that journal altering, each time knowledge of events expanded.

Carol Goodman is skilled at conveying emotions and scenery. However, ostentatious descriptiveness needed tamping down to enliven the pace. Most glaringly, her peculiar first-person singular narrative distanced readers from the story. Even the extreme plotlines could have no punch. Everything was trancelike. June defined herself through other people's demeanour towards her. No adult demurs all confrontations. Mercifully, she packed the dull, distancing tone with all the inherently-explosive fictional possibilities. Unresolved deaths, secret parentage, and sexuality eventually spruced it up. This was not at all “gothic”, as touted but I rooted for June and her pupils.

Dialogue is rare. Melancholy, self-doubting introspection pervades this novel. Even the belated action feels diluted, when shocking predicaments should have rattled us. One plot critique is that no Mother would react emptily to a child, as one did. There was no fathomable motive for her preposterous decision. In conclusion: I would have enjoyed this mystery much more with curbed verbosity, an engaging verb tense, and without an ambiguous personality. Nonetheless, gifted aspects are numerous. Chances are Carol's subsequent novels step up her pace and intensity. ...more

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