What do you think?
Rate this book
The Lake
The latest from Governor General’s Literary Award winner Perrine Leblanc is a mesmerizing story about the disappearance of three young women and a deeply disturbing portrait of a small town gone bad.
In between the mountains and the sea, on the north shore of the Baie des Chaleurs, there’s a village called Malabourg. The village is surrounded by all the usual features of the region: a river with wild salmon, a stretch of the national highway, and a coniferous forest. But Malabourg has one unusual feature: in the heart of the forest there’s a lake the kids call “the tomb.” It’s the place where three young women have disappeared, one by one. As rumours and allegations spread through the village, Alexis and Mina struggle to make sense of the tragedies before deciding the only way to forget is to leave. Alexis relocates to France to learn how to compose perfume and Mina moves hundreds of kilometres away from the sea. But, in spite of the distance, Alexis and Mina can’t forget Malabourg, or each other.
Unfolding along the beautiful, rugged landscape of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, The Lake is the gripping story of the disappearance of three young women, the unsettling aftermath, and the search for life beyond the limits of a small town.
In between the mountains and the sea, on the north shore of the Baie des Chaleurs, there’s a village called Malabourg. The village is surrounded by all the usual features of the region: a river with wild salmon, a stretch of the national highway, and a coniferous forest. But Malabourg has one unusual feature: in the heart of the forest there’s a lake the kids call “the tomb.” It’s the place where three young women have disappeared, one by one. As rumours and allegations spread through the village, Alexis and Mina struggle to make sense of the tragedies before deciding the only way to forget is to leave. Alexis relocates to France to learn how to compose perfume and Mina moves hundreds of kilometres away from the sea. But, in spite of the distance, Alexis and Mina can’t forget Malabourg, or each other.
Unfolding along the beautiful, rugged landscape of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, The Lake is the gripping story of the disappearance of three young women, the unsettling aftermath, and the search for life beyond the limits of a small town.
208 pages, Paperback
First published February 27, 2014
4 people are currently reading
578 people want to read
About the author
Perrine Leblanc
13 books22 followersHer debut novel L'homme blanc, published in 2010, won the 2010 Grand prix du livre de Montréal,[2] the Governor General's Award for French-language fiction at the 2011 Governor General's Awards,[3] and the 2011 edition of Le Combat des livres.
Leblanc studied at the Université Laval and the Université de Montréal, and worked as an editor with Éditions Leméac in Montreal before publishing L'homme blanc.[2] Following the novel's commercial and award success, a revised edition was published in France in 2011 under the title Kolia.
Her second novel, Malabourg, was published in 2014. Malabourg was translated into English with the title "The Lake".
Leblanc studied at the Université Laval and the Université de Montréal, and worked as an editor with Éditions Leméac in Montreal before publishing L'homme blanc.[2] Following the novel's commercial and award success, a revised edition was published in France in 2011 under the title Kolia.
Her second novel, Malabourg, was published in 2014. Malabourg was translated into English with the title "The Lake".
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 8, 2017
Somehow French Canadian authors seem incredibly in-tune with the world around them. Sights, smells, and sounds all feel more acute and startling. The Lake is a beautiful book with a fascinating narrative that presents and molds characters in the tradition of Chorus in a Shakespearean tragedy. Leblanc sets the scene and plays her creations through it like puppets that become real people. Four stars only because the ending didn't have the impact I would have liked. It felt a little rushed.
November 26, 2017
Lovely writing, but the story left me wanting more. The author, at least in this novel, is obsessive about smells - although perfume is a big sub-plot, I found the constant descriptions of how everyone and everything smelled a but much. Not much of a mystery, more about characters (too many) and descriptions.
August 30, 2018
This isn't quite the mystery I was thinking it would be. Don't get me wrong - it's a good read. Beautiful descriptions and great use of terror. There is something dark and lovely about this book. Almost like a lake.
May 13, 2025
Le style est magnifique, mais je trouvais que les différentes parties n’étaient pas toutes égales et je perdais parfois mon intérêt pour la suite.
September 30, 2015
SPOILERS! This is actually my side of a discussion I had with someone about the book after reading it.
Just finished The Lake. Atmospheric, engrossing, mature, beautifully translated, very sensual and visual. I loved it.
I was disappointed that the murderer was given us immediately and everything was "over" in the very haunting first half; I'd been lead to believe this was a "mystery" (never read the endorsements!!). But the thread between the two very different halves of the book, I think, is Alexis and the rose varieties and his quest in making the right scent. I suppose the last sentence ties it all together best. I found myself okay with it after considering the stuff in between and his relationship with Mina, who was witness to the murders. The more I think about it, actually, the more it all comes together for me. I think the spare style makes us read faster than we ought to, and the trick to reconciling the two halves is to think about it afterward rather than while reading. I had more trouble with what I've been taught is good writing and what Leblanc presents (lots of summary), which can leave one feeling a bit empty. At the same time, it was very vivid for me, and details like people's minty breath in the bus thrilled me.
I think there is more, and better, to come from Leblanc, and I really look forward to it. She is indeed, as they say, someone to watch. I'm already in awe of her...savoire-faire, as someone else put it, considering her age.
This was already better than Kolia. I concede that it's inconsistent and the disappointment is that the inconsistency is not subtle. The second half is less interesting. Is that because it's a love story? Was her point to show how people move on from such tragedy toward hope and love? Was her point to juxtapose violence with love? I see these things, so I think yes, but also think the transition could have been smoother. Still, I say I loved the book because of the imagery and her word choice (and/or Lederhendler's sensitive translation) and the atmosphere. She is a master at setting and her writing is poetic. I did get lost in the protest part, but again think there is something purposeful there—something about finding peace in turmoil.
Just finished The Lake. Atmospheric, engrossing, mature, beautifully translated, very sensual and visual. I loved it.
I was disappointed that the murderer was given us immediately and everything was "over" in the very haunting first half; I'd been lead to believe this was a "mystery" (never read the endorsements!!). But the thread between the two very different halves of the book, I think, is Alexis and the rose varieties and his quest in making the right scent. I suppose the last sentence ties it all together best. I found myself okay with it after considering the stuff in between and his relationship with Mina, who was witness to the murders. The more I think about it, actually, the more it all comes together for me. I think the spare style makes us read faster than we ought to, and the trick to reconciling the two halves is to think about it afterward rather than while reading. I had more trouble with what I've been taught is good writing and what Leblanc presents (lots of summary), which can leave one feeling a bit empty. At the same time, it was very vivid for me, and details like people's minty breath in the bus thrilled me.
I think there is more, and better, to come from Leblanc, and I really look forward to it. She is indeed, as they say, someone to watch. I'm already in awe of her...savoire-faire, as someone else put it, considering her age.
This was already better than Kolia. I concede that it's inconsistent and the disappointment is that the inconsistency is not subtle. The second half is less interesting. Is that because it's a love story? Was her point to show how people move on from such tragedy toward hope and love? Was her point to juxtapose violence with love? I see these things, so I think yes, but also think the transition could have been smoother. Still, I say I loved the book because of the imagery and her word choice (and/or Lederhendler's sensitive translation) and the atmosphere. She is a master at setting and her writing is poetic. I did get lost in the protest part, but again think there is something purposeful there—something about finding peace in turmoil.
May 15, 2020
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway and had a lot of trouble staying motivated to read it, because I didn't really like the writing. The author has a tendency to write long paragraphs that have a very poetic feel, but are summed up in the last sentence in a way that feels almost condescending to the reader, as if they wouldn't be able to understand it. As this is a translation, there may be something I am missing. The story was also not the mystery I was hoping for and unfortunately, the characters were not compelling enough to help overlook that and keep me engaged. That said, I wouldn't call this a bad book, just not at all my taste.
April 14, 2014
Petite histoire très rapide à lire. Perrine Leblanc a le don de raconter des choses terribles avec un petit ton anodin qui réduit la portée émotionnelle de son histoire. Le texte est très poétique, tant que, par endroit il devient difficile à tout à fait comprendre, mais c'est quand même très plaisant à lire. L'histoire est influencé par les évènements au Québec d'il y a une couple d'année. Je me demande si Leblanc a été aussi influencée par le livre "Parfum".
June 21, 2018
Spoiler Alert: This book is not really about the murders...
Very odd book. I know it was translated from French, so perhaps some of the beauty was lost in translation. The beginning of the book is okay, and it goes downhill from there. I only finished it because I'm the type that HAS to finish a book once I start it.
Seems like the book started as a type of murder mystery, but then turns into something else. I'm not sure how to describe it.
Very odd book. I know it was translated from French, so perhaps some of the beauty was lost in translation. The beginning of the book is okay, and it goes downhill from there. I only finished it because I'm the type that HAS to finish a book once I start it.
Seems like the book started as a type of murder mystery, but then turns into something else. I'm not sure how to describe it.
January 3, 2016
I tend to err on the side of generosity when it comes to reviewing Canadian fiction -- and (to put it bluntly) giving this books two stars *is* being generous. The book is dark, disturbing, and tough to get through. (When you're looking at how much more of the book you have left to read, and you're only 5% of the way into the story -- that's never a good sign.)
June 28, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
J'aurais pris plus de la deuxième partie et moi de la première. J'ai aimé la description des lieux de la première partie, sans que ça soit nommé et même si les villages sont inventés, je sentais la Gaspésie, ou du moins l'image qu'un non-natif gaspesien peut s'en faire.
L'auteure à une magnifique plume, mais le dénouement de l'intrigue si bien ficelée a été dévoilé comme un fait divers. J'aurais aimé plus de vigueur, de frustration face à cet évènement !
La deuxième partie m'a séduite. Les descriptions des odeurs et les références à l'actualité de cette époque. J'y étais et l'auteure a visé juste.
Gros coup de coeur pour Alexis.
J'aurais pris plus de la deuxième partie et moi de la première. J'ai aimé la description des lieux de la première partie, sans que ça soit nommé et même si les villages sont inventés, je sentais la Gaspésie, ou du moins l'image qu'un non-natif gaspesien peut s'en faire.
L'auteure à une magnifique plume, mais le dénouement de l'intrigue si bien ficelée a été dévoilé comme un fait divers. J'aurais aimé plus de vigueur, de frustration face à cet évènement !
La deuxième partie m'a séduite. Les descriptions des odeurs et les références à l'actualité de cette époque. J'y étais et l'auteure a visé juste.
Gros coup de coeur pour Alexis.
October 29, 2016
A good enough novel, somewhat a dark tale with a redemption, set in French Canada (it caught my eye in the bookstores of Montreal last year). The writing is beautiful, and it's interesting to read Canadian French, very different from France French in many ways, but the story left me unmoved.
May 2, 2020
« Les petits s’accrochaient aux lampadaires en hurlant de joie, inconscients du danger naturel qui prenait la forme d’une tempête ; leurs impers gonflés par des bourrasques les transformaient en petits bateaux à voile amarrés. »
– Perrine Leblanc (Malabourg)
– Perrine Leblanc (Malabourg)
October 15, 2018
The first part of this book was interesting. I was hoping the end was going to get better and more interesting.
September 4, 2019
Gallimard + Québec. Decent though a bit disjointed (starts serial killer; ends Das Parfum). Still, interesting.
July 6, 2025
Thought it was a mystery, but everything was revealed early on. Sad and too random for me.
September 10, 2014
J'avais adoré L'homme blanc, alors je me suis précipitée sur ce deuxième roman de la plus que prometteuse Perrine. Toutefois, celui-ci est écrit avec un style difficle à suivre. Beaucoup trop d'informations doivent être devinées à partir des commentaires des personnages. Le résumé promettait une saga familiale et intercontinentale, ce que c'était, mais je pense que pour nous accrocher plus à l'histoire, ce roman aurait dû être plus long, plus détaillé. L'histoire, quand on la regarde avec du recul, est passionnante, mais on est propulsé d'un tableau à l'autre sans avoir eu le temps d'intégrer les faits et les émotions vécues. Je lirai toutefois avec plaisir le prochain livre de cette belle auteure, car l'Homme blanc était trop bon, et elle saura nous surprendre encore!
September 5, 2015
At first I thought this was a mystery - solving the murder or disappearance of three girls in a lake in rural Quebec. Then I realized that it was about Mina, a young Metis woman with low self-worth and seeking to find her place in this world. A lesser character, who plays a significant role in the last part of the book was Alexis, and his parallel struggles to identify himself separate from the rural community of Baie des Chaleurs.
I was intrigued with the setting, wonderfully described. I felt like I was there with Mina.
The plot was not paramount, but was secondary to the character development and the setting with all its restrictions and possibilities.
I would like to read another book by Leblanc, just to see if she maintain this balance of characters.
I was intrigued with the setting, wonderfully described. I felt like I was there with Mina.
The plot was not paramount, but was secondary to the character development and the setting with all its restrictions and possibilities.
I would like to read another book by Leblanc, just to see if she maintain this balance of characters.
December 24, 2015
As soon as I started reading The Lake, I knew that I had come across a very talented writer! It was engrossing, lyrical and unlike anything that I have ever read before. I honestly thought I was would reading a crime thriller but it is so much more than that! This fictional town in Quebec and its inhabitants create the most interesting community and Leblanc is genius with her narrative! I am thrilled to have discovered this new Quebec voice to add onto my every burgeoning list of favourite Quebec authors.
May 28, 2016
This was a little book, little story about a small town impacted by three lost lives. The book itself is very artfully written but I found the story to be lacking in depth and therefore I can only give this book 2 stars.
June 10, 2016
I went into this expecting something entirely different than what it was, so perhaps that spoiled it for me. The beginning of the story is entertaining and filled with interesting characters. However, the ending felt rushed to me, and there really was no "climax" to the story.
February 16, 2015
J'ai beaucoup aimé la première partie du livre qui se passe à Malabourg et J'aime beaucoup la plume de cette auteure.
September 8, 2015
I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways in return for an honest review. I really didn't care for the writing style of the author and the book wasn't what i was expecting at all.
January 3, 2016
I read a review of this in The National Post and wanted to love it. The writing is great, but the story arc didn't really work for me. Seemed more like connected short stories.
February 5, 2016
lovely , no mystery though
Read
May 20, 2016Short & takes you in a direction I didn't foresee... quite sweet!
July 1, 2016
The story started as a page turner and then kind of fizzled. Enjoyed the love story.
August 28, 2022
Didn’t feel satisfying to read
December 11, 2015
3.5 Stars
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews