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Title:	Tom Lake
Authors:	Patchett, Ann
Genre:	Fiction
Pages:	309
Year:	2023
Language:	English
Description:	Home together in Northern Michigan courtesy of the Covid-19 pandemic, Joe and Lara Nelson and their three adult daughters are picking their orchard's cherry crop, providing the perfect opportunity for the girls to quiz their mother about her youthful romance with a man who became a famous actor. Moving between the present day and 1984, when Lara shared a stage with Duke during a summer production of the Thornton Wilder play Our Town, this is the story of a woman reflecting on her past and exposing a family myth to the full light of day. Multilayered and compelling, this family drama evokes Anton Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard, and convincingly portrays the beauty of an ordinary life.
Categories:	Fiction, Literary, The Arts, Relationships, USA, America, 2025 Titles

Reviews

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By: PIOPIO 001		2025-09-25 15:27:45

Not one of our favourites of the year as the group found it rather drawn out. Being set in the Covid lockdown times and also in the cherry harvest season, had many parallels with our group's experiences. Well-written but felt a bit flat, and repetitive.

By: HAMIL 003		2025-09-09 17:32:35

This story was a bit mundane with a well crafted ending. Although we thought we didn't learn much from reading the novel, it was well-written. We found the questions a bit frustrating.

By: AUCK 063		2025-08-21 09:44:18

Generally liked (as the author always is) but slow to start. We enjoyed the slow reveal and family relationships, and learning about the 'Our Town' play and summer stock theatre.

By: NORTH 007		2025-08-20 11:30:02

A book that divided the group from "incredibly boring" to "tremendous". Many found the characters difficult to engage with. It was drawn out and slow going as typical of the Pandemic era. It made one think of family relations, and the value of the simple things of life. We agreed that Ann Patchett is a good writer.

By: TAUR 004		2025-07-09 10:08:36

Beautifully written, but a bit drawn out and boring! We were surprised it was set in Covid lockdown, as it seemed rather old fashioned.

By: INVER 027		2025-07-07 12:07:16

The group found the book slow to begin with but persevered.

By: WHANG 018		2025-06-23 11:46:48

Most enjoyed this book - a "light, meandering read".

By: WHAKA 021		2025-06-05 14:41:30

The story seemed good but the telling not so good. Two members did not read it through.

By: INVER 001		2025-03-19 14:15:35

Several of our group had already read this book but were more than happy to read it again. Love Ann Patchett's writing style and the way she brings her characters to life.

By: MOTUE 003		2024-12-05 09:57:34

A wide range of opinions on this book - some loved the 'novel' way of telling a story. Others found it boring and the characters difficult to really 'know'.

By: WESTO 001		2024-10-23 09:14:33

All but two members enjoyed this book. Some felt is was slow to get into but once we did were invested in characters and outcomes. it is a story about ordinary life and the decisions we make that set us on one path or another.

By: HAMIL 018		2024-09-24 11:31:07

We all love Ann Patchett although not so much this book, but it did bring about a long discussion deciding how much of your "previous" life you share with your children and what impact those revelations may have.