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Barefoot at the Lake: A Boyhood Summer in Cottage Country
An idyllic summer at the cottage in the 1950s, as revealed through the eyes of a boy on the cusp of experiencing his first crush, discovering the joy of nature, and struggling to understand grown-ups.
Every year, from the end of June to the end of August, Bruce and his family go to their cedar-clad cottage on the blue, wide lake. At first, this summer of 1954 seems like any floating in the row boat with Grace from next door, jumping off the diving raft, eating peach pie, exploring with Angus the dog, watching the seagulls, frogs and herons and catching crayfish.But just when he realizes life is perfect, everything starts to change. He’s ten, the family dynamics are shifting, and over the summer both the harshness of the adult world and the patterns of the natural world reveal themselves. By the time the weather turns he will be a different child, and will have chosen his own path to understanding the wilderness that waits behind their wooden homes. Funny, subtle and true, Barefoot at the Lake transports us to a long, hot, poignant summer.
Every year, from the end of June to the end of August, Bruce and his family go to their cedar-clad cottage on the blue, wide lake. At first, this summer of 1954 seems like any floating in the row boat with Grace from next door, jumping off the diving raft, eating peach pie, exploring with Angus the dog, watching the seagulls, frogs and herons and catching crayfish.But just when he realizes life is perfect, everything starts to change. He’s ten, the family dynamics are shifting, and over the summer both the harshness of the adult world and the patterns of the natural world reveal themselves. By the time the weather turns he will be a different child, and will have chosen his own path to understanding the wilderness that waits behind their wooden homes. Funny, subtle and true, Barefoot at the Lake transports us to a long, hot, poignant summer.
- GenresMemoir
256 pages, Hardcover
First published June 9, 2015
10 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 28, 2016
A sweet memoir of holidays, family, friends and adventures at a Canadian lake - Chemong Lake, north of Toronto - during the 1950s. Not a lot of conflict or excitement, but instead this book is nostalgic and philosophical.
Some interesting characters, notably narrator Bruce's Uncle Reub, who always has a story to suit the situation.
Elements of life on the lake are described in loving detail. The wildlife, the cottages, the environment, the fellow summer residents, the locals, and the original occupants.
In a way, it is the story of every childhood summer holiday. Games of Monopoly, fishing, exploring, medical emergencies, storms, visitors, the experiences of growing older, and the poignancy of saying goodbye as the days become shorter and the return to school and suburban life brings the idyll to an end.
A step away from my usual fiction fare of thrillers and mysteries.
Fun and enjoyable. A few drawn out story arcs resolved (or not) over the course of the summer, just enough to keep me reading to see how they turned out.
Four stars because although there's not a lot of action or substance, the gentle philosophical messages called to me.
Some interesting characters, notably narrator Bruce's Uncle Reub, who always has a story to suit the situation.
Elements of life on the lake are described in loving detail. The wildlife, the cottages, the environment, the fellow summer residents, the locals, and the original occupants.
In a way, it is the story of every childhood summer holiday. Games of Monopoly, fishing, exploring, medical emergencies, storms, visitors, the experiences of growing older, and the poignancy of saying goodbye as the days become shorter and the return to school and suburban life brings the idyll to an end.
A step away from my usual fiction fare of thrillers and mysteries.
Fun and enjoyable. A few drawn out story arcs resolved (or not) over the course of the summer, just enough to keep me reading to see how they turned out.
Four stars because although there's not a lot of action or substance, the gentle philosophical messages called to me.
June 6, 2016
I loved this book. The quiet magic of childhood at the lake--the Dad's off working, the Mom's typical of their era were concerned with their kids safety on water and that was about it for micromanaging. Bruce's view of things is sweet, but maturing. He is starting to see the world a bit differently, but is not to cynicism yet. He still enjoys earning a butter tart or going into town for a change of scene. He loves spending time with his Dad when his Mom hasn't ordered it. This is such a wonderful book.
January 2, 2021
"Cottage country" summers have never been part of my life. I have read the occasional article by nostalgic denizens of those lazy days of summer at the lake, but they have never particularly moved me. Bruce Fogel's sentimental memoir took me by surprise, and it is because of the quality of the writing. Fogel writes with warmth, humour, and a keen eye for detail. He makes the characters who peopled his childhood in Canada's cottage country come to life. The book is a delight for the senses.
April 14, 2019
A beautifully written memoir that is structured as a series of vignettes about summers spent at a summer cottage in Ontario's Kawartha Lakes region. A must read for anyone who was lucky enough to benefit from that magical childhood experience. (Yes, I was one of the lucky ones.)
August 6, 2017
Reading this lovely memoir made me remember happy summer days on Grand Lake, Colorado. I felt as if I was being gently rocked in my grandmother's porch swing. I never wanted it to end.
November 28, 2018
What a fabulous book, beautifully written, memories of enchanted summer holidays.
May 8, 2019
This book reminded me a lot of the Rivierplaas series - sweet, quiet and gentle. I enjoyed it but wasn't enraptured.
October 5, 2021
Absolutely gorgeous book - a perfect summer’s read.
July 21, 2015
Having spent summers in Michigan, I enjoyed the stories about times at a lake. The stories are good, would actually have given this a 3 star rating; but some of the stories about his older brother and friend's treatment of animals were difficult to read. Glad the author grew up to be an animal lover and vet.
June 19, 2015
A nice little feel-good story about boyhood summers at the cottage. There were many life lessons weaved into the everyday encounters at the lake. It was a good, short filler between the longer books on my list.
August 19, 2015
Loved this memoir set in Canada. Loved his stories with life lessons . A very enjoyable read. And he became a veterarian as his chosen profession and one could see that early influence of truly caring for animals in his cottage days of growing up.
October 7, 2015
Anyone who has experienced cottage life, especially in the 50's and 60's will relate to this book. Bruce Fogel in a charming way has delved into the mysteries that challenge a young boys mind as he experiences childhood summers, the world of adults, and a first love.
September 9, 2022
I loved this elegy to the lake, to the author's life at the lake! I found the passages about Uncle Reub and his tender relationship with the author to be beautifully written. I will keep this beautiful book.
July 13, 2015
Loved this book!
September 17, 2015
Brucie learns a lot that summer of 1954 while at the family's summer lake home in Ontario. Interesting look at what we like to think of as more "innocent" times and culture. A really fun read.
September 27, 2016
Very sweet, very gentle. No stress or issues. Just a nice afternoon.
October 10, 2024
It rambled on and on and on with no resemblance of a plot
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews