Last Summer at Barebones

by Diane Baker Mason

This utterly wonderful novel recaptures that last summer of 1970 at Barebones Lake.

Genres: Fiction

416 pages, Paperback

First published November 7, 2001

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing “funny”, nor “uplifting” as described in the Globe and Mail review - there must be another book with the same name…

[Ashley Currie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did like the sarcasm in this book but other than that…. It was just boring. Definitely an older book, with old references and offensive language.

[Jennifer Fralick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book so many times and it's a favourite. Lost my copy though and can't seem to find another.

[Cecile Paddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely do not know what rating to give this book. What an awful, sad, funny, f-ed up bunch of characters. I loved it, but I hated it too! What a train wreck.
Cannot wait to read what Jean St.Amand says about it…..ohhhhhh🤣😡🤦🏻‍♀️

[Joan Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good .

[Jaclyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting parts but ugh Dee was such a jerk to Richard just coz he got hot.

[Jean St.Amand · Rating 4 out of 5]

This kinda made me sad all over.

[Karena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe that I haven't heard of Diane Baker Mason before I read this book. Mason is funny, intelligent, and quintessentially Canadian, and not in the way some people think of Canadian novelists (i.e., overly literary).

The main character Dee is a sensationalistic tabloid reporter who keeps to herself until her boss sends her down to Florida to interview the devilish conjoined twins Leeanne and Breeanne. While there, Dee decides to catch a stand-up comedy show, and sees again after many years her arch nemesis: her sister Theresa. While Dee follows Theresa around North America ("Oh, look! It's my stalker fan!"), we are treated to a routine of fat jokes and childhood taunts taken from their childhood.

Most of the novel is about their childhood summers at the Muskoka's Bare Bones Lake which sports the cool teen haunts, the local resort, Dee's nearsighted friend Richard, and the wonderful island with a cottage which their father adores and craves to own. Summers for Dee and Richard are full of plans to run away into the wilderness, but eventually a series of events change their families' summers, and lives, forever.

[Desiree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another dysfunctional family! A Canadian author and set in cottage country in Ontario and the theme of the book reminded me strongly of Wally Lamb's "She's Come Undone". Not a bad book, but I guess I'm just tired of this dysfunctional theme.

[Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Story kept me interested. Disappointed in the ending. Characters are well portrayed. You want to reach out and hug the main character and give her a friend and you want to reach our and strangle her sister lol

[Jennifer Symonds · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I could relate to the main characters frustration, self-loathing and lack of support, I feel that it wasn't as powerful as She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb. Some of the plot seemed to carry on for too long.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was, as the star rating indicates, OK. The writing was very good, but the end felt very tacked on. I liked how very Canadian/Torontonian/cottage-country it felt.

[Tracey]

Tonya

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took me a while to get into, but when I did I'm glad I finished it. Another dysfunctional family who'd rather whine & fight about their problems than try to solve them.

[MARGO · Rating 1 out of 5]

BORING - BORING - SO VERY BORING - COULD NOT BRING MYSELF TO FINISH IT AS I COULD NOT CARE LESS ABOUT THE MAIN CHARACTER OR WHAT HAPPENED TO HER.

[Dodi Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

something darkly enthralling...like a car accident you can't stop looking at.