In the Lake of the Woods is a powerful antiwar novel by respected American author Tim O'Brien. Its central character, John Wade, is a Vietnam veteran with grim secrets that have come back to haunt him years later. The novel centres on the mysterious disappearance of his wife Kathy in the 'Lake of the Woods' - a forbidding wilderness where they have gone on holiday. However this mystery is soon eclipsed by the larger tragedy of his war experience, and indeed his whole life. The text is complex and innovative, buts its central issues - of love, loss and war - are timeless. Written by an experienced teacher, this guide offers you background notes on the author, and on the genre, structure and style of the novel. To extend your understanding and interpretation, this guide also includes comprehensive notes on characters and themes, critical reviews, and two full length A+ exam essays on the text.