Every year in June, when school finishes, the summer people invade Long Point on Lake Chemong. It's 1954, and Bruce and his dog Angus are desperate to reach the lake - Angus to roll in dead fish, Bruce to count how many different birds he can see.
Barefoot at the Lake is Bruce's evocative account of this one particular summer, when his eyes are opened to the complexities of girls, adults and the natural world. He will introduce you to a cast of unforgettable characters and animals. His strong, handsome and taciturn father who works as a florist. His mother in short shorts and a tight shirt, unwittingly charming all the men. His heartbroken uncle, and a seagull called Popeye. And not forgetting Grace, with shiny brown hair and chapped knees.
Not only a beautifully written boy's-eye view of the landscape of his youth, Barefoot at the Lake is also delightfully funny, with a moving wisdom at its heart.
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Endorsements
‘Full of wonderful stories, poignant memories and acute observations of the natural world.’ Kate Humble
‘Gently and lovingly, Bruce Fogle's writing highlights something we are in danger of losing for ever: that we can understand ourselves most profoundly only in relation to the wilderness.’ Ruth Padel
Reviews
‘In this glorious memoir of boyhood holidays spent at a cedar-clad cottage by a lake in Ontario, he proves himself to be a craftsman of a writer ... It’s a book full of quiet wisdom, and also an inspiring account of how an adult vocation can grow from the formative experiences of childhood.’ Bookseller
Author Biography
Bruce Fogle lives in Notting Hill in London and is the UK's bestselling practicing vet. Previous books include The Dog's Mind and New Complete Puppy and Dog Care. As well as running the London Vet Clinic, Bruce is the co-founder and vice-chair of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and chair of Humane Society International. This is his first memoir.
