Tom Lake
By Ann Patchett
309 pages
What’s it about?
Lara and Joe own a family farm in Northern Michigan. When the pandemic hits in 2020 their three adult daughters return to stay. With most of the migrant workers away they band together as a family to pick the cherries. As a way to pass the time the girls ask their mom to tell them the story of her big romance with Peter Duke- a very famous movie star. Lara slowly reveals her story. What did it make me think about? How much do we know our parents- beyond their role as our parent? The contrast with how well we know our children is pretty obvious. Ann Patchett captures Lara’s thoughts on her children so well, “I can argue with Maisie because Maisie is logical and strong. I will always be afraid of waking up the part of Emily that has long been dormant. I will always be afraid of accidentally breaking something in Nell that is fragile and pure. But Maisie is up for it; no one will ever have to worry about Maisie.” Funny how we all still see the remnants of their two-year-old selves in our adult children.Should I read it?
Well, Ann Patchett is one of my all time favorite authors and I absolutely loved this book! In fact, I had so many quotes marked in this book that I finally gave up trying to find one favorite. I know the literary reviews will be all about the parallels between this book and other great works (Chekhov and “Our Town”)- but for me this story just touched my heart. This will definitely be on my favorites of 2023. Book clubs get ready!Quote-
“There is no explaining this simple truth about life: you will forget much of it. The painful things you were certain you’d never be able to let go? Now you’re not entirely sure when they happened, while the thrilling parts, the heart-stopping joys, splintered and scattered and became something else. Memories are then replaced by different joys and sorrows, and unbelievably, those things get knocked aside as well, until one morning you’re picking cherries with your three grown daughters and your husband goes by on the Gator and you are positive that this is all you’ve ever wanted in the world.”What’s it about?
Lara and Joe own a family farm in Northern Michigan. When the pandemic hits in 2020 their three adult daughters return to stay. With most of the migrant workers away they band together as a family to pick the cherries. As a way to pass the time the girls ask their mom to tell them the story of her big romance with Peter Duke- a very famous movie star. Lara slowly reveals her story.
What did it make me think about?
How much do we know our parents- beyond their role as our parent? The contrast with how well we know our children is pretty obvious. Ann Patchett captures Lara’s thoughts on her children so well, “I can argue with Maisie because Maisie is logical and strong. I will always be afraid of waking up the part of Emily that has long been dormant. I will always be afraid of accidentally breaking something in Nell that is fragile and pure. But Maisie is up for it; no one will ever have to worry about Maisie.” Funny how we all still see the remnants of their two-year-old selves in our adult children.
Should I read it?
Well, Ann Patchett is one of my all time favorite authors and I absolutely loved this book! In fact, I had so many quotes marked in this book that I finally gave up trying to find one favorite. I know the literary reviews will be all about the parallels between this book and other great works (Chekhov and “Our Town”)- but for me this story just touched my heart. This will definitely be on my favorites of 2023. Book clubs get ready!
Quote-
“There is no explaining this simple truth about life: you will forget much of it. The painful things you were certain you’d never be able to let go? Now you’re not entirely sure when they happened, while the thrilling parts, the heart-stopping joys, splintered and scattered and became something else. Memories are then replaced by different joys and sorrows, and unbelievably, those things get knocked aside as well, until one morning you’re picking cherries with your three grown daughters and your husband goes by on the Gator and you are positive that this is all you’ve ever wanted in the world.”
