Gone-Away Lake (Gone-Away Lake Books) (Paperback)

~ (Author), Joe & Beth Krush (Illustrator) "When Portia Blake and her brother Foster set out for Creston that summer, it was different from all the other summers..." (more)
Key Phrases: summer cats, lapis philosophorum, killing jar, Aunt Hilda, Uncle Jake, Villa Caprice (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-Elizabeth Enright's 1957 Newbery Honor book (Harcourt, pap. 1990) will continue to entertain and enlighten today's children in this audiobook format just as the print version has for generations. A brief opening train ride (one of the only somewhat dated segments in the book) introduces listeners to Portia and Foster, siblings on their way to spend a summer in the country with their cousin Julian and his parents. But from that point on, the magic of discovering a small summer community, derelict for decades as its lake slowly dried, is just as enchanting today as it was nearly 50 years ago. Even Foster's play at robots and space stations contributes a contemporary feel to the story's details. The story is beautifully written with fairly sophisticated language, and it is even more of a treat to listen to thanks to a charming narration by Colleen Delany. Her lightning-fast transitions from voice to voice are absolutely on target, and she voices each character distinctly. The unfolding tale of the once-upon-a-time summer colony at the turn of the 20th century is wonderful, and Delany's clear, artful reading adds value. This story of a summer of discovery and adventure would be an outstanding choice for elementary school youngsters with a good reading and vocabulary skills.
Jane P. Fenn, Corning-Painted Post West High School, NY
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Review

"Vicarious adventures of the best sort...these are welcome reissues of Enright's lively stories." -- The Horn Book, July/August 2000

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (March 6, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152022724
• ISBN-13: 978-0152022723
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (67 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #141,259 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gem from the 1950s, August 21, 2000

By	Sheila L. Beaumont (South Pasadena, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Gone-Away Lake" is a delightful, beautifully written story, just this side of fantasy and filled with interesting, likable characters. A brother and sister from the city take the train to visit their country cousin. The children discover an old, mostly abandoned summer colony of houses near a swamp that used to be a lake. There they meet the most charming people in the book, an elderly sister and brother, Minnehaha Cheever and Pindar Payton, who are living happily in the place where they spent summers as children. The pair wear old-fashioned clothes stored away many years ago by their family, cultivate a variety of gardens, and have chickens, goats, a duck, and a cat named Fatly. Once a month, Pindar cranks up the antique Franklin car and drives into town for supplies. The children are adventuresome and imaginative, and have no need of TV to keep themselves amused. The descriptions of the country are amazingly vivid, and there's plenty of humor too. Don't miss the sequel, "Return to Gone-Away." And Elizabeth Enright's series about the Melendy family is also fun to read.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this story and its sequel..., March 2, 2000

By A Customer

These books made me wish I'd had this perfect summer adventure. Two children come across a group of old houses, mysteriously vacant and abandoned on the shore of a swampy lake. Somebody has been there -- there's a warning and an inscription carved into a rock. Can the children keep their find a secret? Who left the houses and where did they go? What's lurking in the lake?

A terrific story -- the main characters are a boy and girl who are good friends, interesting people, and respectful of each other's strengths and weaknesses.

It was one of my husband's favorite books and it has become one of mine after we read it aloud to our daughter. The sequel is just as good (Return to Gone-Away). If you enjoyed Enright's books about the Melendy children ("The Saturdays" "Four-Story Mistake", etc.) you'll love these.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gentle Classic, November 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Gone-Away Lake (Odyssey Classic) (Paperback)

How disturbing to read the negative reviews of this gentle classic. Their key complaint? A pleasant tone and a lack of "plot." This good-natured novel is filled with rich descriptive vocabulary and a subtlety of storytelling that should be admired rather than criticized.

The plot? Not much, really. Just a few noble thoughts. Value the past and learn its lessons. Coexist with nature and reap its rewards. Treasure your elders, and find out about the fascinating experiences they have had.

Probably not as exciting as novels heavy on conventional "plot" formulas, but skillful and eloquent writing, and enriching reading for those who are prepared to enjoy it's subtleties.

Highly recommended--but not for the cynical.