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The Lake House: A Novel Hardcover – October 20, 2015
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Living on her family’s idyllic lakeside estate in Cornwall, England, Alice Edevane is a bright, inquisitive, and precociously talented sixteen-year-old who loves to write stories.
One midsummer’s eve, after a beautiful party drawing hundreds of guests to the estate has ended, the Edevanes discover that their youngest child, eleven-month-old Theo, has vanished without a trace. He is never found, and the family is torn apart, the house abandoned.
Decades later, Alice is living in London, having enjoyed a long successful career as a novelist. Miles away, Sadie Sparrow, a young detective in the London police force, is staying at her grandfather’s house in Cornwall. While out walking one day, she stumbles upon the old Edevane estate—now crumbling and covered with vines. Her curiosity is sparked, setting off a series of events that will bring her and Alice together and reveal shocking truths about a past long gone...yet more present than ever.
A lush, atmospheric tale of intertwined destinies from a masterful storyteller, The Lake House is an enthralling, thoroughly satisfying read.
- Print length512 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherAtria Books
- Publication dateOctober 20, 2015
- Dimensions6 x 1.9 x 9 inches
- ISBN-109781451649321
- ISBN-13978-1451649321
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
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From the Publisher
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The House at Riverton
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The Forgotten Garden
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The Distant Hours
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The Secret Keeper
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The Clockmaker's Daughter
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Homecoming
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Customer Reviews |
4.3 out of 5 stars 9,256
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4.5 out of 5 stars 16,323
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4.2 out of 5 stars 9,322
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4.5 out of 5 stars 24,861
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4.1 out of 5 stars 14,565
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4.4 out of 5 stars 25,781
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Price | $13.99$13.99 | $11.70$11.70 | $10.44$10.44 | $11.89$11.89 | $13.99$13.99 | $12.64$12.64 |
Editorial Reviews
Review
"..a rich and almost magical good old-fashioned tale...a fabulous addition to her work...whisks the reader away into another world...The Lake House is the perfect read for cold, dark nights" Ft. Worth Star Telegram (The Lake House) ― Ft. Worth Star Telegram
"Skillful, suspenseful, surprising...a perfect read for ...dark winter evenings...Morton is a master of suspense" The Philadelphia Inquirer (The Lake House) ― The Philadelphia Inquirer
"..a stunning, well-woven mystery that will keep readers hooked through myriad twists and turns. There are secrets within secrets in this story, and every time readers think they've figured it out, something new will be revealed." -- San Diego Book Review (The Lake House) ― San Diego Book Review
"Compelling...Morton's plotting is impeccable, and her finely wrought characters...are as surprised as readers will be by the astonishing conclusion." -- Publisher's Weekly * (The Lake House) ― Publisher's Weekly
"Brilliant...delivers the satisfactions of all her bestsellers since debuting with The House at Riverton...perfect books for just about every reader." -- Library Journal (The Lake House) ― Library Journal
"In the latest from Morton, secrets from the past come to light in the present, a theme that is the author’s specialty…. Missing babies, maternal sacrifice, and secrets, secrets, secrets—Morton offers generous clues, only to peel back deeper layers just when the truth seems close…not short on heart-wrenching choices and rich characters." -- Booklist (The Lake House) ― Booklist
About the Author
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
1
CORNWALL, AUGUST 1933
The rain was heavy now and the hem of her dress was splattered with mud. She’d have to hide it afterwards; no one could know that she’d been out.
Clouds covered the moon, a stroke of luck she didn’t deserve, and she made her way through the thick, black night as quickly as she could. She’d come earlier to dig the hole, but only now, under veil of darkness, would she finish the job. Rain stippled the surface of the trout stream, drummed relentlessly on the earth beside it. Something bolted through the bracken nearby, but she didn’t flinch, didn’t stop. She’d been in and out of the woods all her life and knew the way by heart.
Back when it first happened, she’d considered confessing, and perhaps, in the beginning, she might have. She’d missed her chance, though, and now it was too late. Too much had happened: the search parties, the policemen, the articles in the newspapers pleading for information. There was no one she could tell, no way to fix it, no way they would ever forgive her. The only thing left was to bury the evidence.
She reached the place she’d chosen. The bag, with its box inside, was surprisingly heavy and it was a relief to put it down. On hands and knees, she pulled away the camouflage of ferns and branches. The smell of sodden soil was overwhelming, of wood mouse and mushrooms, of other moldering things. Her father had told her once that generations had walked these woods and been buried deep beneath the heavy earth. It made him glad, she knew, to think of it that way. He found comfort in the continuity of nature, believing that the stability of the long past had the power to alleviate present troubles. And maybe in some cases it had, but not this time, not these troubles.
She lowered the bag into the hole and for a split second the moon seemed to peer from behind a cloud. Tears threatened as she scooped the dirt back, but she fought them. To cry, here and now, was an indulgence she refused to grant herself. She patted the ground flat, slapped her hands against it, and stomped down hard with her boots until she was out of breath.
There. It was done.
It crossed her mind that she should say something before she left this lonely place. Something about the death of innocence, the deep remorse that would follow her always; but she didn’t. The inclination made her feel ashamed.
She made her way back quickly through the woods, careful to avoid the boathouse and its memories. Dawn was breaking as she reached the house; the rain was light. The lake’s water lapped at its banks and the last of the nightingales called farewell. The blackcaps and warblers were waking, and far in the distance a horse whinnied. She didn’t know it then, but she would never be rid of them, those sounds; they would follow her from this place, this time, invading her dreams and nightmares, reminding her always of what she had done.
Product details
- ASIN : 1451649320
- Publisher : Atria Books; Stated 1st Edition/us; First Printing (October 20, 2015)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 512 pages
- ISBN-10 : 9781451649321
- ISBN-13 : 978-1451649321
- Item Weight : 1.46 pounds
- Dimensions : 6 x 1.9 x 9 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #679,573 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #417 in Historical World War I Fiction (Books)
- #12,979 in Psychological Thrillers (Books)
- #34,335 in Literary Fiction (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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About the author

KATE MORTON is an award-winning, Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author. Her novels - The House at Riverton, The Forgotten Garden, The Distant Hours, The Secret Keeper, The Lake House, The Clockmaker's Daughter and Homecoming - are published in over 45 countries, in 38 languages, and have all been number one bestsellers around the world.
Kate Morton grew up in the mountains of southeast Queensland and now lives with her family in London and Australia. She has degrees in dramatic art and English literature, and harboured dreams of joining the Royal Shakespeare Company until she realised that it was words she loved more than performing. Kate still feels a pang of longing each time she goes to the theatre and the house lights dim.
"I fell deeply in love with books as a child and believe that reading is freedom; that to read is to live a thousand lives in one; that fiction is a magical conversation between two people - you and me - in which our minds meet across time and space. I love books that conjure a world around me, bringing their characters and settings to life, so that the real world disappears and all that matters, from beginning to end, is turning one more page."
www.katemorton.com
www.facebook.com/KateMortonAuthor
https://instagram.com/katemortonauthor
Keep up-to-date on Kate Morton's books and events by joining her mailing list: www.katemorton.com/mailing-list
Customer reviews
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To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the plot intriguing and engaging. They describe the book as a wonderful and charming read with rich prose. The characters are well-developed with many layers to their stories. Readers appreciate the interesting twists and turns that keep them turning the pages. The story spans several decades and takes place in two different time periods. The mystery is thought-provoking, with clues to solve.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the book's twists and turns. They find the plot intriguing and hard to put down. The writing keeps the story lines moving along, keeping the reader interested. The book resonates with the past and present, weaving various storylines, time periods, and complicated characters together. Readers love the flashbacks.
"...The Lake House is an enthralling exploration of love, loss, and the mysteries that bind us, making it a satisfying read for fans of intricately..." Read more
"...With her impeccable ability to weave various story lines, time periods and complicated characters together, there were a few things that held the..." Read more
"...Hence, I will say no more other than this is a beautifully written romantic mystery and in spite of this reader being able to see one of the..." Read more
"...properly spaced and filled with rich prose, the book resonates with the past and present and how everything is all tied together, one way or..." Read more
Customers enjoyed the book. They found it entertaining and interesting, with a charming story. The story kept them engaged, and the author did a good job of presenting diverse characters.
"...of love, loss, and the mysteries that bind us, making it a satisfying read for fans of intricately woven narratives and rich storytelling." Read more
"...That being said, the author did a great job, as usual, of presenting a variety of conflict and mystery for the reader to try and solve, with enough..." Read more
"...narrative lush and sensual, her character well drawn and highly believable...." Read more
"...This one was well worth the wait. Full of plot twists and thoughtful prose, I easily fell into this book and didn't want to leave...." Read more
Customers enjoy the writing quality of the book. They find the prose rich and enjoyable to read, with descriptive details that draw readers into the world. The author's wordsmithing makes reading each line a joy. Readers appreciate the interesting descriptions of scenery, architecture, and English language.
"...Morton’s lush, atmospheric writing draws readers into a world filled with mystery and emotion, revealing how past events can continue to shape the..." Read more
"...Her attention to detail, deliciously descriptive and flourishing writing style and ability to weave together the past and present in remarkable ways..." Read more
"...Well written, properly spaced and filled with rich prose, the book resonates with the past and present and how everything is all tied together, one..." Read more
"...and crannies and, of course, secrets, hidden amidst a marvellous setting of tangled woods, a sun-dappled lake with surging seas in the distance...." Read more
Customers find the characters engaging with many layers to their stories that keep them interested. The protagonist is well-developed in personality and motives, and the author allows for multiple personalities to be introduced.
"...ability to weave various story lines, time periods and complicated characters together, there were a few things that held the book out of the top of..." Read more
"...is complex, her descriptive narrative lush and sensual, her character well drawn and highly believable...." Read more
"...The story is littered with interesting characters who are deep and painfully flawed, which makes them (strangely enough) all the more alluring...." Read more
"...The scenes are well described and the characters come alive. However, this book is bulky and needs some editing...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's engaging plot and surprises that keep them turning the pages. They find it absorbing and refreshing, transporting them through time on an intriguing journey. The characters, setting, and pacing are well-written and easy to follow, keeping readers hooked until the end.
"...It won't have you on the edge of your seat, but it will keep you reading late into the night...." Read more
"...And what plays out is ultimately satisfying and affirming." Read more
"...This was quite delicious and kept you wanting more. I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because the ending was too perfect, albeit enjoyable." Read more
"Wow, what a book! There are plot twists that kept me turning the page...." Read more
Customers enjoy the time period. They find the story engaging, with its dual mystery and alternating viewpoints. The book spans many decades, set in Cornwall before and during World War I. Readers appreciate the historical accuracy and believable prose. The story begins in 1933.
"...of a once-idyllic lakeside estate in Cornwall, the story begins in the summer of 1933, when sixteen-year-old Alice, a budding writer, experiences..." Read more
"...With her impeccable ability to weave various story lines, time periods and complicated characters together, there were a few things that held the..." Read more
"...This book starts off in the early 1900's, following Eleanor as she grows up and meets Anthony Edevane, who literally saves her life...." Read more
"...They have several people involved. They run multiple time lines. And some may find some UK terminology confusing...." Read more
Customers find the book thought-provoking with mysteries that the author leaves for readers to solve. They describe the plot as captivating, mesmerizing, and enthralling. The stories are intertwined but never confusing, and the tale is complex yet makes perfect sense.
"...It's that thought provoking. What Morton has to say about how guilt can affect perceptions of reality is particularly fascinating...." Read more
"...types of women and mothers in the book and a range of motivations offered for decisions reached...." Read more
"This was a wonderful read and wonderful story! Enjoyed the ease of reading the mystery and the characters all so great!..." Read more
"...it was a creative and complex way to tell the story, one that kept me thinking and wanting to learn more pieces of the stories...." Read more
Customers have different views on the pacing of the book. Some find it well-paced and interesting, finishing it in one sitting. Others feel it drags on and lacks excitement at times. The book is hard to start with for some readers, but by the third chapter they become hooked.
"This was a good book, but too long and drawn out IMHO. Stories within stories, plot twists, and lots of WORDS...." Read more
"...This long, drawn out story is so well paced and interesting...." Read more
"...know some people really like that sort of thing, but for me it seemed way too forced, unprepared for, and totally fake...." Read more
"...The plot took twists and turns, often rambling along when it made no sense , dropping hints that often were confusing at best...." Read more
Reviews with images

A must read - Thrilling book!!
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2024In The Lake House, Kate Morton crafts a mesmerizing tale that intertwines the lives of Alice Edevane and Sadie Sparrow across decades. Set against the backdrop of a once-idyllic lakeside estate in Cornwall, the story begins in the summer of 1933, when sixteen-year-old Alice, a budding writer, experiences the devastating loss of her youngest sibling, Theo. After a grand party at the Edevane estate, the family discovers that Theo has vanished, leading to heart-wrenching consequences that ultimately tear the family apart and leave the house abandoned.
Decades later, Alice has forged a successful career as a novelist in London, while young detective Sadie is seeking an escape from her own troubles. When she discovers the crumbling Edevane estate during a walk, her curiosity about the old house and its tragic history is piqued, igniting a quest that will uncover long-buried secrets.
Morton’s lush, atmospheric writing draws readers into a world filled with mystery and emotion, revealing how past events can continue to shape the present. The Lake House is an enthralling exploration of love, loss, and the mysteries that bind us, making it a satisfying read for fans of intricately woven narratives and rich storytelling.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2015After reading Kate Morton's The Forgotten Garden and The Secret Keeper she joined that small list of authors who get an insta-read from me as soon as they have a new book come out (which, in Kate Morton's case, is far to seldom, but that is just me being impatient). Now, this sort of fan-girl response means I do expect a lot out of her novels as they have to live up to my high expectations of what she offers. So with this high standard in place, was I disappointed with The Lake House? Not at all, the writing is stellar! Does the book join the ranks of my all time favorite books (where both The Forgotten Garden and The Secret Keeper hold places)? No, unfortunately I can't say that it does, although it does get darn close. With her impeccable ability to weave various story lines, time periods and complicated characters together, there were a few things that held the book out of the top of the ranks for me.
The Lake House is a chunkster of a novel (weighing in at almost 600 pages) and, while all her novels are longer with tightly knotted storylines going on, The Lake House at times felt longer than it needed to while all her other novels seemed to flow very quickly for me. I admit I'm not the fastest reader around, but I assumed I would be so wrapped up in the story that I would finish it in about a week, no problem. It ended up taking me over two weeks to finish it and while I can say I really enjoyed most of that time spent, I never became so wrapped up in what the characters were experiencing that I couldn't put it down. I spent a vast amount of time slowly reading through the descriptions of the lake house, the Cornwall countryside, beautiful and busy London, etc. because the writing is stunningly beautiful, but then was able to put it aside and pick it up again whenever I had time. The various mysteries surrounding the characters just didn't keep me so enraptured that I was glued to the pages.
That being said, the author did a great job, as usual, of presenting a variety of conflict and mystery for the reader to try and solve, with enough twists and turns that there were still some surprises by the ending. Some of the more secondary mysteries (the secret Sadie Sparrow was keeping about her past for one) were somewhat easy to figure out early on, but all in all Kate Morton's signature style of slowly dropping information, little by little, into the narrative and the character's dialogue kept the facts well hidden until we the reader are meant to learn the full truth of what happened to these characters and why. Having Sadie Sparrow be a detective and Alice Edevane a writer of mysteries was a brilliant move as well as this allowed the reader to follow along as Sadie tried to solve the case of the missing Theo Edevane and Alice try, at first at least, to somewhat muddle the facts and divert Sadie's attention so she wouldn't.
I don't think anyone who picks up a Kate Morton novel could possibly be disappointed in the story they read. Her attention to detail, deliciously descriptive and flourishing writing style and ability to weave together the past and present in remarkable ways is unparalleled in my opinion. She has this ability to transport the reader to the nearly magical worlds the characters inhabit but, at the same time, develop the characters and show how this magical world changes over time given the maturity and wisdom that comes with age and knowledge. If you start your Kate Morton journey with The Lake House be prepared for even more enjoyment when you pick up her other books. Even with this not being my favorite of her novels, I am still a fan girl of hers for life!
- Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2016SADIE SPARROW, DCI, is sent down to Cornwall having created a scandal by leaking to the press her opinion of what REALLY happened to a young mother who allegedly abandoned her 2 year old daughter, leaving her alone for a week before she was discovered by the police. SADIE is convinced that there was foul play involved even though no one else agrees her but the disappeared young woman's grandmother, NANCY BAILEY, whom Sadie is forbidden to contact.
SADIE goes down to stay with her GRANDFATHER, BERTIE, and while there discovers a magical abandoned estate in the woods with its own lake. The name of the house is Loeanneth and she soon learns that it belongs to famous, local writer of mysteries, ALICE EDEVANE.
Bertie tells her the house was abandoned following the tragic disappearance of the youngest Edevane child, 11 month on THEO, found missing on the morning following the huge annual Midsummer Solstice party. The crime has never been solved and although Alice and here sister, DEBORAH, the only two survivors of the four Edevane siblings, live in London, they have not returned to Loeanneth for 70 years.
Having been suspended for becoming obsessed with the crime back in London, SADIE wastes no time in becoming obsessed with the Edevane case, so cold as to be frozen.
There are three competitive narratives in this book: David's in 2003, ALICE in 2003 and 1933, and Alice's now deceased mother from 1911 through the Second World War.
Morton's plotting is complex, her descriptive narrative lush and sensual, her character well drawn and highly believable.
I saved various clippings to include in my review, but now have no idea how to access them. I find writing a review on my Kindle to be so off putting as to be tempted to quit altogether. Half of the screen disappears, mistakes can not be seen, and without warning I frequently find myself back at the Amazon bookstore. Hence, I will say no more other than this is a beautifully written romantic mystery and in spite of this reader being able to see one of the mysteries solved prior to the protagonists and an almost too neat wrap up of an ending, I nonetheless gave it five stars because reading it was such a pleasure such as I have not had in quite a while. The Lake House has convinced me me to ditch Kindle Unlimited, which, for the most part, offers trash at low or free prices. Sometimes you can win out and get something good, but most always it's a waste of time.
Top reviews from other countries
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Client d'AmazonReviewed in France on February 18, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars livre d'occasion très bon état
livre reçu conforme à la description qui en était faite par le vendeur et reçu à la date indiquée.
- SarwanReviewed in India on August 21, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Best Australian novel ever
Kate Morton is an Australian novelist who wrote the the late house,which is one of best gothic and mystery story. In this story,mr Anthony and mr's edevane has three girls namely Deborah, Anthony and clementine and one baby boy Theo,who is eleven months old kidnapped due to their midnight's eves party without any trace behind in 1933. Due to plenty of police investigation this case remained unsolved.in 2003 a new criminology namely Sadie sparrow arrive who studied this case deeply to solve two mysteries that where that children is and why all the family members left their luxurious home forever.........
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asta12Reviewed in Germany on June 7, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars Wunderschön
Egal, ob in Englisch oder Deutsch geschrieben. Eine wunderbare Geschichte - bitte lesen. Es lohnt sich. Spannend, berührend, einfach sehr gut!
- Kindle CustomerReviewed in Australia on May 12, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars WOW A MAGNIFICENT READ.
What did happen to baby Theo ?
This is the story about a family who lived at Loeanneth, once years ago, a beautiful home tucked away in the woods, owned by the family Edevane. Years have gone by, two of the three sister's are still living, where secrets they carry - but are they all true ?
When DC Sadie Sparrow is put on suspended leave from a case she'd been working on, she goes to her grandfather who lives in Cornwall to be away from her troubles. While taking her grandfather's dogs for a run, Sadie follows them into the woods. It's here she finds Loeanneth old home. After hearing about the mysterious loss of baby Theo, Sadie becomes drawn into finding out a seventy year old mystery. The story goes back and forth, telling of the years gone by, and the time up todate. It's Alice the youngest sister that finally gives in to help Sadie, to find out the truth about what happened to Theo.
Also Sadie's case at the police force comes to an end.
Both case's will make Sadie realise, every secret can come out in the end - you only have to keep at it, and she did.
This is the second brilliant book by Kate Morton I've read. The Secret Keeper, was the first.
Her description is magical reading, with a storyline of brilliance, from, love, family, mystery, and secrets. With an emotional ending to, The Lake House.
A highly recommend read.
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MYRKReviewed in Japan on March 8, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars victims of our human experience
このミス大賞の上位にランクインされていたので興味を持ち、手に取ってみた。
ペーパーバックだが分厚くずっしりと重く、開くとどのページも文字がぎっしり。これは手古摺りそう、
とちょっぴり不安も過ったが(笑)結果、大変中身のある、読み応えたっぷりの良書(私にとっての)
だった。
主な舞台がEnglandのCornwallということだったので、事前に少しこの地の動画を見たりして、本書に
描かれている情景に思いを馳せるのも中々楽しかった。
初めのうちはイギリスの上流階級のお嬢さんのハーレクイン・ロマンスならぬハーレクイン・ミステリー
のようなテイスト?かと思えば昔読んだ様々な童話や小説のエッセンスが隠し味に仕込まれているかのごとき
懐かしい印象を持ったりと、手探りの面白さもあった。構成で言うと、ざっくり二つの時代の様々な登場人物の
視点で出来事が描かれていくのだが、同じ場面が違う人間の目から描写されて初めて真実である全体像が見えて
くる、という読者をあっと言わせる仕掛けが巧い。人は同じものを見ていても同じように見えている訳ではない、
思い込みや先入観、主観等が事実を歪めてしまうことも少なくないという、考えてみれば当たり前だが普段
あまり意識しない盲点を突いていて唸らされた。またいよいよ重大な情報が明らかにされると読者が固唾を
飲んだところで章が変わって全く別のシーンが長々と挟まれたりと、焦らし方がまことに秀逸で散々イライラ
させられた。ページを捲る手が震えるほどだった(笑)
またミステリーとしては尚更これなしでは成立しない、人間の持つ業や煩悩、表裏の愛と憎しみ、深層心理にまで
切り込んだ細やかな描写も不足なく、感じ入るところがあった。ところで結末は物語の後半に入ったあたりで
予測できてしまったのだが、これはまさかと思うほど都合が良すぎる(笑)ところながら、一番の悲劇が刻々と
現実味を帯びつつある中一転、というのがなければ途轍もなく後味が悪かったと思う。よかった、と素直に快哉を
叫ぼう。