I loved this book. - Rated 
Terrific storytelling in a story of a rivalry between brothers beginning in the 1930's and passing thru the great wars and the depression. Author captures the severe beauty of Northern Canada, the fragile aspects of life, the mistakes of youth and living with decisions, mistakes and consequences. Lawson brings to life this small isolated town. Scenes are authentic. The pain, hurt, happiness and goodness are felt as one turns the pages even thought the core aspects of the plot are somewhat predictable. I loved this book. I'd like to also recommend reading Tino Georgiou's bestselling novel--The Fates--if you missed it.
One word: amazing - Rated
This book was just wonderful, set in the heart of a small, deserted town called Struan. Lawson allows you to feel empathy with the characters, and so it's as if you bond with them. The ending is so sad.
Read this book if you haven't already, it is absolutely excellent.
the same side of human nature. - Rated
The Other Side of the Bridge for me exemplifies a novel of ordinary life which examines some of the important themes in life. It is another example of how female authors writing about the everyday in a deceptively simple style can often cover subjects that novels with loftier ambitions don't approach.
The novel hops between two generations in the same quiet Canadian settlement Struan. The 20s/30s chapters deal with the brothers Arthur and Jake, growing up on a farm with their parents. Arthur is five years older and, like his father, a stolid, solid worker whose silent exterior belies an inner sensitivity and aching for love, notably from the two people he can never seem to get them from - his mother (whose favourite has always been Jake), and, later, Laura. Jake is cocky and has the gift of the gab; his easy charm and quick wit manipulate and seduce everyone around him. Everyone that is, except his father. For me, one of the tragedies in the book is that although Jake has the unconditional adoration of his mother, which Arthur would die for, Jake craves the approval of his father, something that can only be earned by hard work on the farm. One of the reasons for Jake's spite towards Arthur seems to be this jealousy - although Jake on the surface has everything - looks, wit, brains, girls, adoring mother - as is human nature, he longs for the one thing he doesn't have; the only thing his plain, lumpen, monosyllabic brother Arthur has, which is the approval of his father. This explains a lot of Jake's spite towards his brother.
A generation later, Ian, the teenage son of the village doctor, develops an adolescent crush on the beautiful Laura, wife of a local farmer, and decides to seek part-time work on the farm in order to be near her. The local farmer is none other than Arthur, who has somehow managed to marry the local beauty.
And so the story unfolds. In alternate chapters, we learn about events in both the past - the 30s - and the present - the 50s. Lawson writes in an ostensibly simple style but her sensitive, empathic descriptions of everything from farm animals to the emotions bubbling in inarticulate men gives the novel a haunting power. The reader is transported totally back to this era of Canadian rural life and reminded, as only the finest novelists can remind, that the important themes of life - love, longing for the approval of indifferent parents, sibling rivalry - endure through all generations and all settings. A beautiful, evocative book. ****0 1/2
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A brilliant story about life - Rated
This is one of those glorious books that stays with you long after you've read it. It puts you in another place and another time, yet you feel you really know the characters and can relate to them. I will have to order other Mary Lawson books after this!
Loved this book... - Rated
Picked this up by chance in the library - loved it so much went out to bought Crow Lake straight away. Loads of undercurrents, keeps its pace in a gentle, non-hurried way (if that makes sense!)
Highly recommended.
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