Barefoot at the Lake

by Bruce Fogle

Every year in June, when school finishes, the summer people invade Long Point on Lake Chemong. It's 1954, and Bruce and his dog Angus are desperate to reach the lake - Angus to roll in dead fish, Bruce to count how many different birds he can see.
Barefoot at the Lake is Bruce's evocative account of this one particular summer, when his eyes are opened to the complexities of girls, adults and the natural world. He will introduce you to a cast of unforgettable characters and animals. His strong, handsome and taciturn father who works as a florist. His mother in short shorts and a tight shirt, unwittingly charming all the men. His heartbroken uncle, and a seagull called Popeye. And not forgetting Grace, with shiny brown hair and chapped knees.
Not only a beautifully written boy's-eye view of the landscape of his youth, Barefoot at the Lake is also delightfully funny, with a moving wisdom at its heart.

Genres: Memoir

268 pages, Paperback

First published June 9, 2015

Reviews

[Skyring · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Lisa of Hopewell · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Cathryn Wellner · Rating 5 out of 5]

"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.

[Ann Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.)

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous book, beautifully written, memories of enchanted summer holidays.

[Hjwoodward · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book reminded me a lot of the Rivierplaas series - sweet, quiet and gentle. I enjoyed it but wasn't enraptured.

[Alexandra Chadderton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely gorgeous book - a perfect summer’s read.

[Lynne · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Gina Murdoch · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Paul Hock · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Melanie Snowden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book!

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Alice Paterra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet, very gentle. No stress or issues. Just a nice afternoon.

[Mel · Rating 2 out of 5]

It rambled on and on and on with no resemblance of a plot