Rating: 
Summary: Lessons in Perspective?
Review: A startling look into the lives of two couples and their children, and the "me me me" that infects most of our lives. Beautifully set on Flame Lake in Minnesota, with the four adults and one child alternating narration, this is a peek into how very different things look to each person involved. The reader is introduced to the incredible ego of BiDi; 12 year old Darcy, who "plans on being a world traveler someday, mostly for the experience but partly for the hats" (can you tell she was my favorite character?); the philandering but deeply committed family man Sergio (the "Ricky Ricardo of Minnesota); the lovable/irritating car salesman/wannabe lounge lizard Dick; and his wife Devera, who is going through plenty of internal crises - the narration really makes the story of the repercussions of a terrible attack in the small town of Flame Lake. Ms. Landvik gently unveils the characters, creates a believable story line, and treats us to a lovely and ultimately hopeful visit to the North Woods.
Rating:
Summary: Lessons in Perspective?
Review: A startling look into the lives of two couples and their children, and the "me me me" that infects most of our lives. Beautifully set on Flame Lake in Minnesota, with the four adults and one child alternating narration, this is a peek into how very different things look to each person involved. The reader is introduced to the incredible ego of BiDi; 12 year old Darcy, who "plans on being a world traveler someday, mostly for the experience but partly for the hats" (can you tell she was my favorite character?); the philandering but deeply committed family man Sergio (the "Ricky Ricardo of Minnesota); the lovable/irritating car salesman/wannabe lounge lizard Dick; and his wife Devera, who is going through plenty of internal crises - the narration really makes the story of the repercussions of a terrible attack in the small town of Flame Lake. Ms. Landvik gently unveils the characters, creates a believable story line, and treats us to a lovely and ultimately hopeful visit to the North Woods.
Rating: 
Summary: Choppy narrative, too predictable
Review: After reading Patty Jane's House of Curl which was an excellent book, this follow-up effort seems just that - a follow-up. The narrative changes point of view from chapter to chapter, and all the characters seem one dimensional (eg.,BiDi is vain, Sergio is sweet, Franny is tough etc). Unlike Patty Jane, I could easily see where each plot line was headed. Hope the next book is more like the the House of Curl.
Rating: 
Summary: Probably make a good movie
Review: Every chapter of this tale is told by different characters. At first I had difficulty following the train of thought--whose thought is this? Whose train am I traveling on? There is a good plot, adequate personality development, and realistic likable characters. I can envision a movie with talented child and teen actors. Warning however, this is, as my son states, one of those "woman books"! If you are looking for action keep away. More "touchy-feely" than suspense and quick plot movement.
Rating:
Summary: The title says it all -- a true oasis on a perfect lake
Review: From where I sit (on top of a hill overlooking Island Lake at sunset in the NorthWoods of Minnesota), this work rings true. Landvik has a thoughtful, realistic ability to develop characters that engage not only the reader, but their spirit as well. Your Oasis made me want to hang out with these folks, have a latte with their daughters, bring warm gingerbread over for a fall chat. After falling in love with Patty Jane's House of Curl and its ditsy cast of characters, I couldn't wait to see how Landvik would approach her second novel. Was Landvik a one-hit wonder? Thankfully, NO. This realistic (especially the sunsets) look at mid-life and family crises left me feeling like I'd want these folks for next-door neighbors. With this second novel, I'd rate Landvik right up there with Jane Smiley, Anne Rivers Siddens, and Anne Tyler.
Rating: 
Summary: No Reading Oasis For Me!
Review: Granted I had very high expectations for this book written by Lorna Landvik considering how much I adored her first book Patty Jane's House of Curl. And granted it's hard to always measure up with two books in a row. But I never expected to be as disappointed as I was with this second offering by Lorna Landvik. As charming as her characters were in her first book and however compelling events were in Patty Jane's House of Curl, they unfortunately fell very flat in this her second title.Essentially the book delves into the lives of two families brought together by friends who are now wives and mothers. The women, now in their 40's, have been friends since their high school cheerleading and prom queen days. Devara is a bit pudgier now still married to her high school sweetheart and the mother of two daughters. Her friend, Bidi, on the other hand has maintained her girlish figure, is married for the second time and the mother of a daughter who is the star hockey player on the once all male hockey team. And then there are the husbands, which include Sergio who adores his wife's daughter, but secretly yearns for one of his own and Dick who wants to open a nightclub in the basement of his home. Your Oasis on Flame Lake offered little for me in the way of entertainment. Even the description of a harrowing experience and its consequences failed to move me emotionally. And unlike the characters from Patty Jane's House of Curl who still remain with me years later, these characters were almost wooden and less than memorable. It may be regrettable now that I enjoyed Patty Jane's House of Curl as I much as I did. Not only didn't I like Your Oasis on Flame Lake but I also closed the book on Landvik's third title, The Tall Pine Polka Tree after almost 100 pages when the plot was going nowhere. I still have her fourth published book to read so there is some hope. But if that proves not to my liking I can always go back and reread Patty Jane's House of Curl and once again visit with old and dear friends.
Rating:
Summary: No Reading Oasis For Me!
Review: Granted I had very high expectations for this book written by Lorna Landvik considering how much I adored her first book Patty Jane's House of Curl. And granted it's hard to always measure up with two books in a row. But I never expected to be as disappointed as I was with this second offering by Lorna Landvik. As charming as her characters were in her first book and however compelling events were in Patty Jane's House of Curl, they unfortunately fell very flat in this her second title. Essentially the book delves into the lives of two families brought together by friends who are now wives and mothers. The women, now in their 40's, have been friends since their high school cheerleading and prom queen days. Devara is a bit pudgier now still married to her high school sweetheart and the mother of two daughters. Her friend, Bidi, on the other hand has maintained her girlish figure, is married for the second time and the mother of a daughter who is the star hockey player on the once all male hockey team. And then there are the husbands, which include Sergio who adores his wife's daughter, but secretly yearns for one of his own and Dick who wants to open a nightclub in the basement of his home. Your Oasis on Flame Lake offered little for me in the way of entertainment. Even the description of a harrowing experience and its consequences failed to move me emotionally. And unlike the characters from Patty Jane's House of Curl who still remain with me years later, these characters were almost wooden and less than memorable. It may be regrettable now that I enjoyed Patty Jane's House of Curl as I much as I did. Not only didn't I like Your Oasis on Flame Lake but I also closed the book on Landvik's third title, The Tall Pine Polka Tree after almost 100 pages when the plot was going nowhere. I still have her fourth published book to read so there is some hope. But if that proves not to my liking I can always go back and reread Patty Jane's House of Curl and once again visit with old and dear friends.
Rating:
Summary: disappointing
Review: I bought this book after reading "Patty Jane's House of Curl" and it just did not work for me. There is not a truly likable character in this book. Everyone is screwing around with people for no good reason I can see or else is completely self-centered. I had a hard time believing that the one affair could ever happen, I mean after all, if you're going to screw up a long term, happy marriage shouldn't you at least be ATTRACTED to the person you have the affair with? also I did not care for the variety of narrators. This book in no way is on a par with "house of curl". While it is written well, The story never seems to tie together. 264 pages into the book and I'm still wondering "what is this book about?"
Rating:
Summary: Warm, funny with great characters
Review: I gave this a 9 only because Patty Jane's House of Curl was such a superlative 10 and hard to beat. BiDi and Devera are such delightful sparring partners and close friends. Unlike so many novels of women friends, this one explores the depth of the male characters and their feelings, the children and their lives without letting the women either become an afterthought or the only focus of the story. Like life, the meaning behind events have many facets and many impacts on all involved. Landvik captures this with humor, rapier-sharp wit, and yet a seriousness that doesn't overwhelm but keeps the story real. Whatever she writes, I will read.
Rating:
Summary: "Your Oasis On Flame Lake" wasn't an oasis!
Review: I had to read this book as an assignment for a class. I picked this book because I thought it would be interesting and I liked the reviews it got. Unfortunately, I was wrong. Overall, I thought the book was boring and lacked reader involvement. I couldn't get very interested in the book mainly because four of the main characters are in their 40's. I really don't have much in common with them. I also sometimes got confused with all the characters. With five people telling the story it got a little confusing. By the time it got the climax I was disinterested already and the climax didn't do anything for me. I really didn't like the fact that two of the main characters cheated on their spouse. Also, the ending bothered me. One kid died, another might be paralyzed, but everything is all good with the main characters so it seems like everything in the world is okay.
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