Reviewers then and now praise Enright's excellent characterization, her use of description, and strong presentation of setting and nature in "Gone-Away Lake". A review by Irene Haas mentioned that "animals abound, and secrets and clubs, danger and daring". According to "Saturday Review", Enright "knows how to create real children". Writer and reviewer Anita Silvey calls "Gone-Away Lake" "Enright's finest achievement" and praises "her descriptive powers and unique ability to observe the world through the eyes of a child". Children's book expert May Hill Arbuthnot also praised Enright's fine use of description and observed, "Good prose style for any age level surprises and delights."