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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.
About the author
Perrine Leblanc was born in Montreal in 1980. Her first novel, published under the title
L'homme blanc in Quebec and Kolia in
France, won the Governor General's Literary Award for French Fiction. She lives in Montreal, Quebec.
Summary
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.
Additional text
"This slim novel, which deftly blends murder, mystery, romance, and a coming-of-age story, is a testament to the talent of the author."Publishers Weekly, starred review
“...promisingly dark and offbeat..." - Quill and Quire
“Like all good mysteries, The Lake is as much about place as it is about crime, and in Lazer Lederhendler’s seamless translation, Malabourg is a dark place indeed. Perrine Leblanc has created a kind of québécois noir: ominous, compelling, and totally convincing.” Wayne Grady, Author of Emancipation Day
“Some become authors through hard work; some are born authors like Perrine Leblanc.” Kim Thúy, Author of Ru and Màn
“The Lake possesses the singluar grace of Jane Campion’s Top of the Lake.” Elle (France)
