Mirror Lake

by Thomas Christopher Greene

My name is Nathan Carter. Let me say that even though this story does not concern me - not directly anyway - I feel an obligation to tell it, because it was told to me, and it is the type of story that needs to be told...

So begins this powerful tale of love, loss and redemption, drawing us into the small town of Eden, Vermont, and into the complex lives of two very different men. Nathan Carter is a young man in love with falling in love. A serial monogamist, he flits from woman to woman until, as yet another relationship disintegrates, he leaves his busy Boston lifestyle behind him and drives north to the small town of Eden.

There he meets Wallace Fiske: a man at the end of his life. A man with a story to tell. And as the surly, gruff Wallace starts to tell Nathan his story - the story of Nora, the woman he loved from the moment he first set eyes on her, the story of the man Wallace used to be - the two men become friends. It's a friendship - and a story - that will change Nathan forever...

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Romance, Novels, Contemporary

304 pages, Paperback

First published July 22, 2003

About the author

Thomas Christopher Greene is the author of 7 books, six critically acclaimed novels including the international bestseller, The Headmaster's Wife, and the collection of tiny true stories, Notes From the Porch. He is the founder of the Vermont College of Fine Arts and served as president for 13 years. His fiction has been translated into thirteen languages. He makes his home in Montpelier, Vermont and can be found online on instagram and facebook @thomaschristophergreene

Reviews

[Marne Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing in this book was amazing, crisp and clean and evocative. Yet I could tell that this was a story written by a guy in his twenties for other people in their twenties. If I'd read it when it first came out in 2002, I probably would have been blown away, but as it is, the lessons seemed a little simplistic and the resolution too pat. I'll try again with one of Greene's more recent books and see how he has matured.

[Bert · Rating 5 out of 5]

“ I know that very few people handle death and it’s mysteries well, but I was worse equipped than most, largely because I found living so mysterious and never seemed, as I have said before, to be able to live purposefully”

Once again I am a complete emotional wreck thanks to the beautiful and heartbreaking words of Mr Thomas Christopher Greene. This is his first book however it’s the third of his that I am reading, his latest 2 books being the others that I have read. While this book is perhaps not as amazing, plot-wise, as The Headmaster’s Wife or If I Forget You it is still a fantastic book that I will love and cherish forever. He has become my favourite author, I just want to read more and more and more of his work. The big thing for me that really makes me realize just how much I like his books - at least the ones that I’ve read - are that they’re all told from a male perspective and I still enjoy them. Generally when I’m reading a fiction book I would prefer the lead character to be female and more often than not to be told from her perspective, for some reason I just prefer reading about women over men. If I do read a book from a male perspective I find myself becoming tired with the story and longing for a female voice but that’s not the case with TCG, his male characters are so wonderful they are the kind of men that I wish there were more of in the world.

There’s just something about the way he tells the story that is so beautiful and gentle, I think I said this in one of my other reviews of his books but these kind of stories and characters that elicit the strong emotion that his book do, you just don’t see written by men. I’ve never read a male author that has such a fine voice and beautiful way with words as he does.

I just love this guy so much, I could read his books all day. Another 5 star read that I powered through in under a day. Loved it.

[Piepie | The Napping Bibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad but beautiful story. Apparently the author's debut. The New England/Canadian rural setting has a starring role. I thought the narrator was great... but I didn't think any of the characters were too likeable. All they seemed to do was drink, smoke, and make love with each other.

There are two stories intertwined through this book... both not related at all except through a mailman named Nathan Carter, who sort of reminded me of Ted Mosby, serial dater, except Ted was definitely more likeable. Nathan forms a friendship of sorts with the town grump, an elderly farmer named Wallace Fiske, who tells Nathan a story about his wife... who, it could be said, was "the one that got away." The second story is the relationship between Nathan and his new lover, Kate. The book as a whole was a little predictable, but there were one or two surprises/shockers.

Kate's marriage proposal toward the end was pretty funny!

The writing was beautiful, what I came to expect due from reading the author's The Headmaster's Wife shortly before this one. And, just like How I Met Your Mother, there are some great lessons on life and love throughout. Audiobook version recommended.

[Magda Beret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Niczego się nie spodziewałam po tej książce, która przypadkowo trafiła w moje ręce, a dostałam wciągającą, dobrze napisaną historię. Choć główny bohater jakoś mnie do siebie nie przekonał, to ludzie dookoła niego i ich opowieści, już tak. Akcja dzieje się w jedynym z najpiękniejszych zakątków świata - Vermoncie, a wydarzenia odmierzane są przez pory roku. Bardzo przyjemna lektura. Dobra na zastój czytelniczy.

[Connie G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nathan Carter, a young man, was driving his Jeep when it went off the road at the bottom of an icy hill. The seventy-nine year old property owner, Wallace Fiske, pulled him out of the Jeep and cared for him for several days in his home. An unlikely friendship started in that house by Mirror Lake.

Wallace and Nathan traded stories about their lives over bottles of Scotch. Wallace began to open up about the love of his life and a terrible secret that defined the rest of his life. Nathan, a serial monogomist, finally met a woman he truly loved. His tale was the second love story that weaved through the book.

The book started out slowly, but then drew me in. The descriptions of Vermont--green mountains, beautiful lakes, small towns--were perfect. "Mirror Lake" is a story about love, deception, and friendship.

[Jodi Paloni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three things this week: axle-deep mud in the roads, ice and snow still covering the gardens, and an empty house chilly enough for a fire. What a perfect evening to immerse in a well-told story. I was quickly drawn in by the narrator, who comes right out and says he's going to tell you a story and why on the first page. A few hours later, I arrived at the last page, well-satisfied. One Goodreads reviewer claimed, "it was an exciting read in a Vermont sort of way" which I agree, pretty much sums it up.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

there was something about this book, and i don't know what it was, but i loved it, and i want to buy it now. it made me feel good while i was reading it. there were some parts that made me shead a tear.... but i just loved this book. :)

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this book on airplane during ski vacation. Interesting enough story but premise plot is kind of thin. I figured out the mystery way ahead time. None of characters are particularly likable.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stories within stories. Nathan, a young man who is a serial monogamous dater moves from Boston to small town Vermont in search of something after his father dies. He befriends Wallace, a grumpy old man who shares his scotch and wisdom about life after saving Nathan's life. One day Nate sees Wallace grieving and Wallace tells him a story of loss. Nathan meets Kate and compares his relationship with the one Wallace shared but not all love stories are the same. The relationship between the men and the stories they tell changes each of them.

I liked the story and was glad I read it but I was frustrated with the characters. I kept wanting more.
We come to like the characters and feel their loss but not because of character depth but because of the events and how we would feel if we were in their position. I liked the characters but they seemed not well developed. Nate and Wallace are the primary characters, however, other than being unaware of what is really going on, we know little about them. Nate knew he was a shallow person who wanted more, but seemed ok with wanting and not learning or doing more. That he smokes cigarettes like a chimney and comes to really care about Wallace is all we really know about him. Even his self awareness is shallow. We don't know why he befriended Wallace; if it was because he saved his life, if he was searching for a father figure, or if he pittied him, or some other reason. Even Kate seems more aware of Nate's inner workings than Nate himself. We know Wallace is a good cook, that his loss is profound and has deeply effected him and caused him to separate from the world, but other than that we know little about his feelings and inner workings. We know he has them because he weeps and stares out at Mirror Lake with Nate in a shared silence. We know much more about Norah, Wallace's wife, and her emotions, hopes, and desires. By the end we make assumptions about Wallace and Norah and their lives and Mirror Lake. We also make assumptions about Nathan and Kate and where their lives may go. (Unfortunately I think Nate will always be shallow.)

[Moore Flannery · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fact that Wallace's story is told gradually through the narrator provides a good deal of shade for the fact that it is neither as mysterious nor as gripping a story as you the reader want it to be. Beautifully told, against a wonderful American man of the soil kind of backdrop, this romance is sadly rather predictable in its highs its lows.

I think that this isn't a patch on 'the headmaster's wife' in truth, although it is nice to be reminded of this elegant writing style which once again conveys romance, without being overtly romantic.

[Samantha Kolber · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeously taut novel full of tension and drama and beautiful prose, not to mention the beautiful, idyllic landscape of rural Vermont. This book had me turning pages to find out what happened to the old farming couple whom the narrator accidentally befriends. It’s a book exploring love and relationships and a person’s breaking point as well as a person’s endurance. Anyone surviving these Vermont winters will understand. I highly recommend this lovely book. Tom really has a wonderful way of writing where the land and the characters stick with you.

[Judith Yeabsley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't 'get it'. Too slow and boring with not enough connection to the characters to care. It was reasonably well written which kept me in it until the end but there wasn't enough 'oomph' in any department.

[Kathleen Sloan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. I read The Headmasters Wife and now I’m barreling through every single book written by this wonderful author. The Perfect Liar was fantastic, and now Mirror Lake. Mirror Lake is just perfection.

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. I listened to an audio book while I was travelling. Perfect for a road trip.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was simply written and yet the writer made me feel every emotion of the characters and landscape. This is a wonderful first work and I'm anxious now to read his others.

[Mom2nine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is simple, but with a depth that is memorable. It is the third book by Greene which I have read and although his writing is amazing, it pales when compared to his next books.

[Ana Montes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, just finished this book. Highly recommend.

[Jill Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful love story--it was both tragic and beautiful at the same time. I was so very sad when it ended because I loved it that much!!!

[Sharon Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was okay.

[Linda Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a surprising like for me. It was a pretty simple story within a story. Very moving.

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 1/2 stars

[Panda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The narrators naivety can be a little annoying at times but otherwise a good concise read

[Pat Brethour · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful descriptive story about friendship, betrayal and trust.

[Xavia · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING ONE OF MY FAVORITES

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down one of the most heart-wrenching books I've read. I love this author.

[Geraldine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had been sitting in my bookcase for many years. I was in need of something to read so I began this book and couldn't put it down once I began. As the author states at the beginning, it is a story. It was an interesting and sad love story. I'm glad I read it.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is set in Vermont. The setting of the book is idyllic and enticing. The four main characters are compelling, quirky and endearing in their own ways. It is a book where the setting dominates as much as the action. One can get lost in that world.

When the characters wind through the plot, as each is off the stage for a moment, the reader looks in on the setting in play while still thinking of the characters and plot not in review at that moment. This is not a complicated book, or complicated plot, it is rather; the interaction of love and loss that every romantic fears and hopes for. I’d define it as cutting edge passion written from a voyeurs view.

I am a reader who relishes in surprise and plot twists. For the most part, I guessed the endings; that said, traversing to those endings endeared the book to me. The setting, (yes, there’s that word again), entwined with the plot, and made for an enjoyable, page turning read. The characters were undeniable to the end.

What I will say about this book, without giving away the twists contained within, was it was an exciting read in a Vermont sort of way. It left me with a place, time and plot that proved itself worthy of my time to visit.

[Sandra Dias · Rating 4 out of 5]

Achei este romance muito próximo à realidade e muito pouco, ou mesmo quase nada, cor-de-rosa. As acções, pensamentos e sentimentos aqui descritos são absolutamente credíveis e possíveis de ver em qualquer ser humano, que com as suas perfeições e defeitos intrínsecos poderia viver o amor e a traição aqui presentes.

Apesar de o início ter sido um pouco difícil de digerir, o livro torna-se cativante a partir do momento em que se vai descobrindo a estória de amor do velho Wallace, um agricultor idoso que elegeu o isolamento completo como modo de vida. Após um turbulento início de amizade, Wallace e Nathan, vão partilhar as suas histórias de vida, de amor, de amizade e os seus sentimentos. Mas Wallace não conta tudo a Nathan, e este, desconfiando que o amigo lhe esconde mais do que revela, parte à procura dos verdadeiros acontecimentos que ali ocorreram. É a "conta-gotas" que vamos desvendando o verdadeiro mistério que Wallace escondeu por mais de quarenta anos.

Um romance ideal para quem está farto dos livros leves de Verão.

[Whatsername · Rating 3 out of 5]

Il dolore di un tradimento è molto peggio di una perdita a causa di una morte...per la morte dopo un po' si cerca di far rimarginare la ferita col tempo che passa inesorabilmente, ma per un tradimento a volte la ferita si allarga e rimane sempre lì pronta a sanguinare nuovamente ogni volta che il pensiero ritorna a quei momenti...tutto questo è ciò che Wallace prova ogni volta che riapre le porte del tempo al suo passato...bello e triste!

[Dan Radovich · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt so comfortable reading this book - Greene did a great job bringing to the Vermont woods and into the lives of Nathan and Wallace. Their lives are changed thanks to a winter snow storm which leads to this lovely story. There are cliched moments in the story, but Greene has two strong characters to play with and he does a great job with them. His prose can be as gorgeous as the Vermont woods.