41 review for A Bench by Memory Lake

1. 

   5 out of 5

   Michael Hartnett – Oct 16, 2017

   Tranquil Pleasures A Bench by Memory Lake by John Vance is paradoxically pleasant and thought-provoking. Vance achieves the rare feat of presenting characters who are both innately good and inherently fascinating. While each of the three main characters confronts a life-changing crisis, the novel pulses with a sensibility that these good people will end up taking the right path forward. Lively, bawdy, mercurial Jenny Montgomery propels A Bench by Memory Lake alternately forward and sideways. Je Tranquil Pleasures A Bench by Memory Lake by John Vance is paradoxically pleasant and thought-provoking. Vance achieves the rare feat of presenting characters who are both innately good and inherently fascinating. While each of the three main characters confronts a life-changing crisis, the novel pulses with a sensibility that these good people will end up taking the right path forward. Lively, bawdy, mercurial Jenny Montgomery propels A Bench by Memory Lake alternately forward and sideways. Jenny’s subversive playfulness raises to the surface the introspections of her best friend, Livy Garner, and it provides healthy sparring for her good buddy Nick Lockhart, an acclaimed sportswriter whose preoccupations threaten to overwhelm him. A fourth main character emerges in Memory Lake itself, serving as a source of solace for the anxious Jenny, the nostalgic Nick, and the vulnerable Livy. The trio’s regular returns to the lake allow them through a series of intimate discussions to come to terms with decisions from the past that tincture their present actions. While Livy struggles with how to break free from her controlling husband (an ambitious California congressman), Nick must confront an impending scandal through the prism of a shameful distant memory. Even the acerbic and seemingly indomitable Jenny is shaken by the eroding skills of her husband Davis, the star pitcher of the Minnesota Twins. Vance’s expert plotting is punctuated by fine writing whether it’s in the understated musings of Livy (“She already evaluated most of her husband’s habits and priorities and found them sorely lacking”) or in the steady barrage of witticisms from sly Jenny (“I’ll leave the key to the lake for you under the bench”). Jenny elevates the novel with outrageous humor, even as the reactions and responses from Nick and Livy serve as wry, clever counterweights. A Bench by Memory Lake is a charming, generous novel that is satisfying and enjoyable throughout. I could spend many more hours with Jenny, Livy, and Nick, hanging around the lake, which, like the novel itself, is simultaneously soothing and stimulating.

2. 

   4 out of 5

   Therobertstribe – Jan 06, 2020

   This book was ok, but I found the two female characters totally unbelievable, especially in their interactions with each other. The relationship between them didn't resemble any type of female friendship I have ever come across, and their was something stilted and unreal about the way they spoke to each other that didn't reflect the closeness that they were meant to have. This book was ok, but I found the two female characters totally unbelievable, especially in their interactions with each other. The relationship between them didn't resemble any type of female friendship I have ever come across, and their was something stilted and unreal about the way they spoke to each other that didn't reflect the closeness that they were meant to have.

3. 

   5 out of 5

   Terri McClean – Mar 10, 2020

   I wanted to go sit on a bench by the water. It's not a bad book, but it's not a good book. I'm not sure where the author got his interpretation of female friendship, but honestly a lot of friends can talk to each other without getting drunk each and every day. I found that a bit distracting. I wanted to go sit on a bench by the water. It's not a bad book, but it's not a good book. I'm not sure where the author got his interpretation of female friendship, but honestly a lot of friends can talk to each other without getting drunk each and every day. I found that a bit distracting.

4. 

   5 out of 5

   Lisa Davis –

5. 

   4 out of 5

   Carole Keys –

6. 

   4 out of 5

   Shelley DeFrancisco –

7. 

   5 out of 5

   Stephanie –

8. 

   4 out of 5

   Maggie –

9. 

   4 out of 5

   Paula –

10. 

    4 out of 5

    Margaret –

11. 

    5 out of 5

    Marina –

12. 

    4 out of 5

    Julie Cobham –

13. 

    4 out of 5

    sarah atkins –

14. 

    4 out of 5

    Jo Ann C. Smith –

15. 

    5 out of 5

    Donalda Fullerton –

16. 

    4 out of 5

    Art Harrison –

17. 

    5 out of 5

    Ellen Elmore –

18. 

    4 out of 5

    Wendy Thurlborn –

19. 

    4 out of 5

    Maggie Magnusson –

20. 

    5 out of 5

    SOM –

21. 

    5 out of 5

    Gloria –

22. 

    4 out of 5

    Carol Willier –

23. 

    5 out of 5

    D Dyer –

24. 

    5 out of 5

    Michelle –

25. 

    4 out of 5

    janene –

26. 

    4 out of 5

    Nancy –

27. 

    4 out of 5

    Topher Colin –

28. 

    5 out of 5

    Jill Cohen –

29. 

    5 out of 5

    The Celtic Rebel (Richard) –

30. 

    4 out of 5

    Rhonda G Ryan –

31. 

    4 out of 5

    Rosemary Hughes –

32. 

    5 out of 5

    Zee –

33. 

    5 out of 5

    Bill D Smithhart –

34. 

    5 out of 5

    Judith Malecot –

35. 

    5 out of 5

    Amy Linquist –

36. 

    4 out of 5

    paul.pace42att.net –

37. 

    4 out of 5

    Carol Selassie –

38. 

    5 out of 5

    Jan Smith –

39. 

    5 out of 5

    Marg Ross –

40. 

    4 out of 5

    Joann Hamilton –

41. 

    4 out of 5

    Shashi –