One of the most intensely written and beautifully conceived novels to come my way in many a season. It is also among the most gripping, and it maintains its hold until the final period—and even beyond. I will be thinking about these characters for a long, long time. Seldom have I read a story with so much life on every page. Zacharias is a master." - Steve Yarbrough, author of The Unmade World "Lee Zacharias is one of those profoundly rare writers, a natural. Her voice is one you can trust, and her characters are real, moving, and come from the experience of someone who knows what trouble human beings get themselves into." - Craig Nova, author of The Good Son"Exquisite. . . . A wise book, written with uncommon care. Not unlike the great lake of its title, this story has much to discover beneath its surface." - Greensboro News & Record "Zacharias has brought history to the page with great skill." - Minneapolis Star Tribune"Paints a vivid picture of the tumultuous winter conditions that impede travel and provides poetic details of daily life on board the huge ship and all its mechanics." - Shepherd Express"Such a palpable sense of how sharp and how painful childhood memories can be. Zacharias takes us back, in more ways than one." - Wilmington Star News"Simply put, this is an extraordinary novel." - Michigan in Books"Hauntingly good. . . . Beautifully crafted." - YES! Weekly