10 Books With Lakeside Settings
Lakes have always held a special place in literature.
Their serene beauty, mysterious depths, and tranquil settings have inspired countless authors to bring stories that capture the imagination and transport readers to peaceful shores, secluded retreats, and places of reflection.
From haunting tales to heartwarming romances, lakeside settings provide a perfect backdrop for a variety of narratives.
Here are ten captivating books that make lakes and their surroundings central to their stories.
Books With Lakeside Settings
1. “The Lake House” by Kate Morton
Kate Morton’s “The Lake House” is a quintessential lakeside mystery. Set in Cornwall, the novel follows the story of Alice Edevane, whose family is torn apart when her brother Theo mysteriously disappears from their lakeside estate. Decades later, a detective stumbles upon the old case and seeks to uncover the truth.
The serene lake by the family’s estate contrasts with the turmoil of the characters’ lives, serving as a silent witness to secrets buried deep within its waters.
Morton’s rich descriptions of the lakeside estate make it a character in its own right, and the interplay between the tranquil setting and the dark mystery at the heart of the story keeps readers on edge until the very last page.
2. “Lake Success” by Gary Shteyngart
Gary Shteyngart’s “Lake Success” isn’t your typical lakeside story, but its title and thematic elements earn it a place on this list.
The novel follows hedge fund manager Barry Cohen as he embarks on a cross-country bus journey to escape his failing marriage and his crumbling empire. Though the lake in the title refers to a real place in Long Island, New York, it also symbolizes Barry’s elusive pursuit of the American Dream.
The lakeside setting here is more metaphorical, representing both the promise and the disillusionment of success. Shteyngart’s sharp wit and satirical approach make this novel a unique exploration of what lies beneath the surface of ambition.
3. “Summer at the Lake” by Erica James
Erica James’ “Summer at the Lake” is a heartwarming tale of love, loss, and new beginnings set against the backdrop of Lake Como, Italy. The novel brings together three characters, each with their own troubles, who find solace and a new lease on life by the picturesque lake.
Lake Como, with its stunning beauty and tranquil waters, is the perfect setting for a story about healing and second chances. James masterfully uses the lake’s serene atmosphere to mirror the inner journeys of her characters, making this book a delightful read for anyone who enjoys stories of personal transformation set in idyllic locations.
4. “The Lake” by Banana Yoshimoto
Banana Yoshimoto’s “The Lake” is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of love, memory, and healing. The novel follows Chihiro, an artist who moves to a new apartment near a mysterious lake.
There, she meets Nakajima, a quiet man with a troubled past. As their relationship deepens, the lake becomes a symbol of the unspoken, the hidden, and the unresolved traumas that both characters carry.
Yoshimoto’s spare, lyrical prose captures the ethereal quality of the lakeside setting, making the lake itself feel like a character with its own secrets and emotions. This novel is perfect for readers who appreciate a more introspective and atmospheric story.
5. “Lake Silence” by Anne Bishop
In Anne Bishop’s “Lake Silence,” the lake serves as a portal to a world where humans and supernatural creatures coexist.
Set in the small town of Sproing, this urban fantasy novel centers around Vicki DeVine, who inherits a rustic lakeside resort.
As Vicki discovers, the lake and its surrounding area are home to The Others, powerful beings who protect the natural world from human greed.
Bishop’s world-building is exceptional, and the lake plays a crucial role in the story’s sense of place and tension. The novel’s blend of mystery, fantasy, and horror, set against the eerie beauty of the lake, makes it a gripping read for fans of the genre.
6. “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt
While Donna Tartt’s “The Secret History” isn’t primarily set by a lake, the scenes that do take place by the lake are pivotal to the story. The novel follows a group of elite students at a small Vermont college who become entangled in a murder plot.
The lake, surrounded by dense woods, becomes a chilling setting for some of the novel’s most intense moments.
Tartt’s use of the lake as a site of both beauty and horror underscores the novel’s themes of guilt, innocence, and the consequences of living outside societal norms.
The contrast between the serene lakeside environment and the dark deeds of the characters adds to the novel’s haunting atmosphere.
7. “The Lake of Dreams” by Kim Edwards
Kim Edwards’ “The Lake of Dreams” is a novel steeped in family secrets, set against the backdrop of a quiet lakeside town. The protagonist, Lucy Jarrett, returns home after years of living abroad and begins unraveling the mysteries surrounding her family’s past.
The lake, with its still waters and reflective surface, symbolizes the hidden depths of memory and history that Lucy must confront.
Edwards’ evocative descriptions of the lake and its surroundings add a layer of nostalgia and melancholy to the story, making it a poignant exploration of how the past shapes the present.
8. “The Girl of the Lake” by Bill Roorbach
Bill Roorbach’s collection of short stories, “The Girl of the Lake,” offers readers a series of vignettes that explore love, loss, and the passage of time, all with a strong connection to nature.
The title story, set by a lake, captures the fleeting nature of youth and the bittersweetness of memory. Roorbach’s lyrical prose and keen observation of human emotion make the lakeside settings in these stories come alive, evoking the beauty and tranquility of life by the water.
Each story in the collection offers a different perspective on life’s joys and sorrows, with the lake serving as a constant, timeless presence in the background.
9. “On Golden Pond” by Ernest Thompson
Originally a play, Ernest Thompson’s “On Golden Pond” has also been adapted into a novel and a beloved film.
The story centers on an elderly couple, Norman and Ethel Thayer, who spend their summers at their lakeside cottage on Golden Pond. As they navigate the challenges of aging and reconnect with their estranged daughter and her family, the lake becomes a place of reflection, reconciliation, and renewal.
“On Golden Pond” is a tender, poignant exploration of family dynamics and the passage of time. The lake’s calm, enduring presence serves as a metaphor for the continuity of life, even as everything around it changes.
10. “Tana French’s The Searcher”
In Tana French’s “The Searcher,” the rugged, remote lakeside setting of a small Irish village plays a crucial role in the story’s atmosphere and plot. The novel follows retired detective
Cal Hooper as he attempts to build a new life in the quiet village, only to be drawn into a local mystery involving a missing boy. The lake and the surrounding landscape, with their wild beauty and sense of isolation, add a layer of tension and suspense to the story.
French’s masterful use of the lakeside setting enhances the novel’s themes of solitude, community, and the search for justice. The lake’s presence is felt throughout the story, influencing the characters’ actions and emotions in subtle yet powerful ways.
