The secrets would remain secret - the things he'd seen, the things he'd done.

He would repair what he could, he would endure, he would go from year to year without letting on that there were tricks.

"There's no one thing that's true. It's all true." These profound words by Ernest Hemingway in "For Whom the Bell Tolls" seem to echo in the pages of Tim O'Brien's "In the Lake of the Woods."

This book is a mystery without a resolution, and O'Brien makes this clear from the start. There are references to magic tricks and unknown things. Kathy Wade vanished, and it's up to the reader to figure out the trick.

It might sound frustratingly post-modern, but it's not. "In the Lake of the Woods" is a tightly constructed thriller. It's deeply disturbing yet strangely satisfying.

There seems to be a climax and a denouement, but it's hard to pinpoint what they are. Instead, I'll try to figure out how O'Brien pulled these sleight of hand tricks on a scrupulous reader like myself.

As the magician never reveals his secrets, so too does O'Brien keep his narrative mysteries hidden, leaving the reader in a state of both confusion and fascination.

Tim O'Brien is an author who writes almost solely about Vietnam.

In each of his works, he appears to delve into a distinct aspect of the war or of life in its aftermath.

"In the Lake of the Woods" is, in a sense, a mystery that functions as a metaphor for post-traumatic stress disorder. John Wade, a veteran, and his wife withdraw to a cabin in Minnesota after he fails in his bid for the United States Senate. This failure occurs after the very events he has spent years concealing from everyone, including himself, are exposed in the press.

John awakens from an emotional breakdown to discover his wife missing and with very little memory of what transpired. The remainder of the book is divided between the search for her, descriptions of his past, and speculations about what happened to her.

The success of this book does not lie in the mystery. If one is seeking a traditional "whodunit," it will not be found here, and O'Brien is upfront about that. However, this merely contributes to the book's success, as it hints at what it must be like to live with the experiences that veterans endure. Every aspect of John's postwar life serves as a means of suppressing the pain within himself. He cannot trust the woman he loves. His political career serves as a powerful metaphor for presenting a public façade. The way he is haunted by the question of whether he was capable of murder.

Obviously, the majority of readers will not have had the experiences that O'Brien had in Vietnam, but he makes a great effort to provide a taste of it, incorporating text from writings on dealing with post-traumatic stress. And although there is a great deal happening in the book and it does not necessarily form a clear narrative, this is the most direct of any of O'Brien's books that I have read.

A good book indeed, with excellent language that conveys a strong and poignant message about the things we do to ourselves in the pursuit of ideals, love, happiness, or whatever it may be.

I had a favorable impression of the book. It was good, and the message it carried was powerful. This is not a book you read simply to discover what happened to John and Kathy at Lake of the Woods. Instead, it delves into what made them who they were up to the point where the story commences. It's a tale about the factors that shape a person, including the choices they make, the delusions they hold, the hopes and dreams they cherish, the failures they experience, and sometimes, the magic that can keep them moving forward towards something seemingly great. It's also about what occurs when that magic spell is broken and reality hits with full force – and that, ladies and gentlemen, is a rough journey.

I appreciated the way the story was presented: John's childhood, his experiences in college, Vietnam, and after returning from the war, John in the present, the evidence and interviews, and the hypotheses regarding what happened to Kathy. It switches things around and comes across as a researched biography at times, while at others, we are given the story directly.

However, I didn't really love the book. I didn't think it was amazing in terms of being overly inventive or of the highest quality. I did like the story's ability to relate to the real world (I've heard that O'Brien is a fan of verisimilitude) and real people. I felt that it was done better in The Things They Carried, although that's like comparing apples to oranges.

If you're a fan of Tim O'Brien, then give this book a read. It's short, regardless of the version you pick up. I wouldn't recommend reading it in one sitting like I did. Instead, take the time to digest the information, understand what's happening, and then move forward (chunk it as best you can). At the very least, it's worth a read.

Processing this one slowly.

I see the dislikes, but O'Brien has trapped himself a bit by writing TTTC (which is just that good). This work arguably lacks some of the thematic variety.

BUT. It forces you to reflect on interpretation, on reflection itself, in a way that's structurally exciting.

The way it makes you think about how we understand and analyze things is truly captivating. It doesn't just present a straightforward story but challenges you to dig deeper and question your own thought processes.

And it concludes quite profoundly. The ending leaves a lasting impression, making you realize the significance of the journey you've taken through the text.

Overall, despite its possible shortcomings in thematic variety, TTTC has its own unique charm and value that makes it a worthwhile read.

It took me a rather long time to get through this book.

I believe the structure, which consists of mixed chapters of events, “hypotheses,” and evidence, actually made it quite convenient to pause at various points.

Nevertheless, I have an unwavering love for O’Brien’s writing.

The footnotes add an extra layer of depth and interest to the reading experience.

Moreover, I am deeply attracted by the theme of the bittersweet agony of never knowing anything fully.

This theme seems to resonate with the human condition, as we often find ourselves in a state of uncertainty and partial understanding.

O’Brien’s exploration of this theme through her writing is both thought-provoking and emotionally engaging.

It makes me reflect on my own life and the limitations of my knowledge.

Overall, despite the time it took me to read this book, I am extremely satisfied with the experience and would highly recommend it to others.

This is the perfect book to bring along when you go to the cottage.

It's truly a captivating read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

The story is filled with countless twists and turns that will constantly make you guess what's going to happen next.

You'll find yourself completely immersed in the plot, unable to put the book down.

Despite its engaging nature, I would rate this book 3.75 stars.

While it has many great aspects, there are perhaps a few minor flaws that prevent it from achieving a full 4 or 5 stars.

Nonetheless, it's still a highly enjoyable read that I would recommend to others who are looking for a thrilling and entertaining book to enjoy during their time at the cottage.

Can we believe that he was not a monster but a man? That he was innocent of everything except his life?

Tim, you're a genius, I'm pretty sure.

I have never in my whole life been disappointed by a Tim O'Brien book, and this was no exception.

Incredible and brilliant from start to finish. The way he's able to weave a narrative so rich with depictions of setting and motive of character is unlike anyone else.

I loved the way the entire book was set up: an expression of facts, evidence, and hypotheses but ultimately inconclusive and solely left up to the reader to make their own conclusions (rip Hemingway, your iceberg theory lives on).

God, I don't know what even else to say. I loved this book so much. I'll be thinking about it for a long time. Genius.

Always used to say Tim was the modern Hemingway, but I'm beginning to think he's better.

My favorite Tim O'Brien book. And that's saying a lot considering all his books are masterpieces.

Tim O'Brien's writing has a unique charm that draws readers in and keeps them hooked until the very end. His ability to create vivid settings and complex characters is truly remarkable. In this book, he presents a story that is both thought-provoking and engaging. The way he leaves the conclusion open-ended allows readers to form their own opinions and interpretations, adding an extra layer of depth to the reading experience. Overall, this is a must-read book for anyone who appreciates great literature.

This is a book that has continuously caught my attention on the library bookshelf.

Finally, I made up my mind to give it a read. As a Minnesotan, I have a penchant for reading books set in Minnesota. In this regard, this book didn't let me down initially.

However, overall, the book is rather disappointing.

O'Brien's writing is sharp and captivating, and I truly appreciated his diverse styles. But unfortunately, the book fails to present the material effectively. By page 280, I still hadn't discovered anything new that I didn't already know around page 50. The book spends an inordinate amount of time revealing nothing of substance.

Others have criticized the ending, and frankly, I didn't have a major issue with it - I sort of anticipated it. But having read so much, gained so little, and then ended with nothing, well... I just don't grasp the point. There are numerous writers whose style I enjoy, but they usually have something meaningful to convey or at least have a likable character.

This book simply doesn't work for me. It will be a long time before I attempt another Tim O'Brien book.

Read this one for book club. It was truly an amazing experience as it led to the best discussion we've ever had. The book jacket might give the impression of a northwoods mystery, but in reality, a significant portion of the book - the setup and the exploration of psychology - delves into historical fiction related to Vietnam, specifically the My Lai massacre. It's an incredibly fascinating read. There are whole chapters filled with quotes from investigators, which provide a detailed and authentic look at the events. And then there are also whole chapters of speculation, which add another layer of depth and intrigue. I've never come across anything quite like it. The author is a genius! It's a hard read emotionally, but it's so spot on. If you truly want to understand the Vietnam war, this is the book you must read.

It's truly fascinating how this book combines an ominous tone with an amazing allure.

There is no conventional happy ending here, which makes it truly unique and leaves the reader in a state of profound thought. The evidence chapters I discovered were a distinct way of reflection and excellent components within the book. I simply couldn't put it down!

I read The Things They Carried two months ago, and while this book shares some similarities, it is also vastly different. The mysteries surrounding John Wade remind me of Caleb/Cal in East of Eden. The driving force of love that pushes him to the brink of insanity at times and his manipulative nature are superbly articulated in this book.

What I find almost astonishing is that nearly everyone has that inner darkness within them. That longing for love, but to see an extensive exploration of this mystery in a book character and to delve into the darkness of his mind is truly remarkable.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book. It is a relatively easy read, yet it takes you to depths far beyond human existence and emotion. It is a dark and beautiful, yet thrilling and terrifying war story.

Hey!

In every trick, there are two meticulously thought-out lines - the way it appears and the way it truly is. The success of your work hinges upon your comprehension of the relationship between these lines.

Well, then, what does failure look like?

Politicians, generals, a man striving to be better than he is, a woman desperate to believe in the happiness of her marriage - all are susceptible to the sleight of hand. They make themselves victims, aware that there is a trick yet willing to believe nonetheless.

The greatest peril of an illusion is that we come to believe in it. The half-truth, the story morphs into a vision of reality that tenuously fits. With distorted vision, we walk and reach for the object of our desire, grappling with frustration as our hand comes up empty or veers off to the side. We experience the pain of false belief colliding with objective reality. With the sting of that pain, something has to give: either we face the ugly truth and adapt to its exigencies or brush off the lesson, plunging deeper into the illusion, where no one can reach us. In the darkness, everyone is an enemy, and our failures are attributed to a conspiracy, persecution - not our refusal to turn towards the light. (Or perhaps we convince ourselves that the hand isn't empty, that body counts are the score we desire...).

John Wade remains in the shadows. He erases his boyhood chubbiness, obliterates his wartime magic, and ennobles his domestic spying. Fact and fiction merge in his mind, and for the reader, the mysteries run profound.

Kennedy, LBJ, McNamara, Westmoreland - they shackled the nation's young men and dropped them in the water tank, assuming they'd concoct an escape plan before the air bubbles ceased rising to the surface.

War has little patience for illusions.

Love Tim's style!

Tim has a unique and captivating style that truly stands out. His fashion choices are always on point, whether it's a casual day out or a formal event.

He has a great sense of color coordination, often pairing bold and vibrant hues with more neutral tones to create a balanced and eye-catching look. His attention to detail is also remarkable, from the choice of accessories to the fit of his clothing.

Not only does Tim's style look great, but it also reflects his personality. He is confident, outgoing, and always has a positive attitude. His style gives him the confidence to express himself and make a statement wherever he goes.

Overall, I love Tim's style and I'm always inspired by his fashion sense. He shows that with a little creativity and confidence, anyone can look and feel great.