Is 'Gone-Away Lake' Based On A Real Location Or Legend?

As someone who's obsessed with digging into book inspirations, I can confirm 'Gone-Away Lake' isn't directly based on a real location or legend. Elizabeth Enright crafted it purely from imagination, but she definitely pulled from real-world abandoned places. The vibe reminds me of ghost towns I've visited—those forgotten spots where nature reclaims crumbling houses. The lake's mysterious pull mirrors how actual deserted resorts or flooded villages capture our curiosity. While no specific legend inspired it, the book taps into that universal fascination with places time forgot. If you love this theme, check out 'The Secret Garden'—another masterpiece about rediscovering hidden wonders.

After rereading 'Gone-Away Lake' and researching Enright's notes, the setting feels like a collage of real abandoned places. The derelict Victorian houses mirror New England's coastal ghost towns, especially those near Cape Cod where vacation spots got swallowed by dunes. The lake itself isn't real, but the concept of vanishing bodies of water exists in geology—some lakes drain underground due to sinkholes or seismic shifts.

What's brilliant is how Enright blends this with childhood nostalgia. The kids' discovery parallels how we stumble upon overgrown ruins in woods near our hometowns. The book's magic lies in making the imaginary feel familiar. Unlike mystery-driven stories about ruins, this one focuses on joyful exploration. For similar vibes, try 'The Penderwicks'—it has that same warm, adventurous spirit minus the abandonment angle.

The absence of supernatural elements sets it apart. Most 'lost place' stories involve ghosts or curses, but here the thrill comes purely from uncovering history. Portia and Julian's summer mirrors how real archaeologists piece together stories from fragments. That grounded approach makes the fictional lake feel even more tangible.

Geek moment: while 'Gone-Away Lake' isn't based on one specific legend, Enright totally borrowed from multiple folklore tropes. The idea of a hidden community frozen in time appears in cultures worldwide—from Japanese urban myths about villages that only appear in fog to European tales of towns that vanish for centuries. The book's aging sibling duo living off-grid also echoes hermits from local legends.

What makes it unique is the lack of danger. Usually these stories involve warnings or punishments for disturbing forgotten places, but here the protagonists befriend the past. The lake's name itself plays with that 'gone but not gone' duality seen in names like California's 'Disappearing Lake' or Australia's 'Ghost Lakes' that periodically dry up. For more playful takes on legends, 'Greenglass House' mixes mystery with folkloric elements without being scary.