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Lisa's Reviews > Tom Lake
Tom Lake
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I spent parts of the last few days sitting in a hospital room with my aunt as she was designing this next short phase of life. During her long periods of sleep, Ann Patchett's latest novel, Tom Lake was a perfect companion.
This quiet novel exudes coziness and familial love. Lara recounts the story of her early acting career, including one pivotal summer in her life, to her three adult daughters as they work the family's fruit farm during the first year of the pandemic. Patchett skillfully weaves Lara's story of the past into her present life. How Lara moves from actress to farmwife is the central question that keeps the pages turning.
Patchett's prose is warm, poetic, and rich. She invites me into her story and has my attention. I feel that I know each of her characters; they seem authentic to me. She looks at life honestly, the ups and the downs.
“It's not that I'm unaware of the suffering and the soon-to-be-more suffering in the world, it's that I know the suffering exists beside wet grass and a bright blue sky recently scrubbed by rain. The beauty and the suffering are equally true.�
During the course of this novel Patchett explores the themes of self-discovery and personal evolution within the frame of an overall sense of connection and belonging. These are fairly universal themes, and Patchett manages to give them an intimate feel.
By the end of the novel I have reflected on my own development and growth, how I have arrived in my present place in life. And I am reminded to marvel at the beauty of my family, my home, and my every day life.
Published 2023
This quiet novel exudes coziness and familial love. Lara recounts the story of her early acting career, including one pivotal summer in her life, to her three adult daughters as they work the family's fruit farm during the first year of the pandemic. Patchett skillfully weaves Lara's story of the past into her present life. How Lara moves from actress to farmwife is the central question that keeps the pages turning.
Patchett's prose is warm, poetic, and rich. She invites me into her story and has my attention. I feel that I know each of her characters; they seem authentic to me. She looks at life honestly, the ups and the downs.
“It's not that I'm unaware of the suffering and the soon-to-be-more suffering in the world, it's that I know the suffering exists beside wet grass and a bright blue sky recently scrubbed by rain. The beauty and the suffering are equally true.�
During the course of this novel Patchett explores the themes of self-discovery and personal evolution within the frame of an overall sense of connection and belonging. These are fairly universal themes, and Patchett manages to give them an intimate feel.
By the end of the novel I have reflected on my own development and growth, how I have arrived in my present place in life. And I am reminded to marvel at the beauty of my family, my home, and my every day life.
Published 2023
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Comments Showing 1-50 of 53 (53 new)
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Bonnie G.
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rated it 5 stars
Sep 04, 2023 07:25PM
So glad you found the novel so relatable and engaging. I did as well. And I also found myself reflecting on and gratefully celebrating my family ties and my anchors in the several places I think of as home.
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Bonnie G. wrote: "So glad you found the novel so relatable and engaging. I did as well. And I also found myself reflecting on and gratefully celebrating my family ties and my anchors in the several places I think of..."I was just commenting on your review.
I have come away from this read with that feeling I would get laying on a blanket with my husband and the girls looking at the summer sky--awe, love, and perfect contentment.
Love your personal connections with this story, Lisa!
Lisa wrote: "Bonnie G. wrote: "So glad you found the novel so relatable and engaging. I did as well. And I also found myself reflecting on and gratefully celebrating my family ties and my anchors in the several..."Well said! As you were typing this I was commenting on your comment on my review!
This sounds wonderful, Lisa. Some books come at just the right time in life.
Debbie wrote: "Love your personal connections with this story, Lisa!"Debbie, this is an easy one to connect to and love. I am happy to read about a family that loves each other without a lot of angst and drama; it's a much needed balm for the soul.
Lyn wrote: "This sounds wonderful, Lisa. Some books come at just the right time in life."They really do, Lyn. And this novel makes for a wonderful read.
To find the right book while doing the right thing, Lisa. Bravo on both scores.
Lovely review, Lisa. I think given your personal situation it would have resonated that much more. Patchett just hits home on so many levels. For me, I just feel that much more appreciative and have that much more gratitude for the finer things in life: family. Hugs to you while going through this with your aunt.
Fionnuala wrote: "To find the right book while doing the right thing, Lisa. Bravo on both scores."It really is magic when that happens, isn't it?
Jen CAN wrote: "Lovely review, Lisa. I think given your personal situation it would have resonated that much more. Patchett just hits home on so many levels. For me, I just feel that much more appreciative and hav..."Thank you, Jen. Patchett seems to be a wise woman and I have great admiration for her as an author and as a human being. And the work of hers that I have read has always affected me.
Lisa, what a heartfelt and lovely review. Patchett has a way of connecting with us in so many ways. Thinking of you as you through this difficult time.
Angela M wrote: "Lisa, what a heartfelt and lovely review. Patchett has a way of connecting with us in so many ways. Thinking of you as you through this difficult time."Thank you, Angela. I am impressed with Patchett's ability to write so simply, yet exquisitely and to touch my heart. She is becoming a favorite writer.
A beautifully written review, Lisa. Authentic characters and the nudge to reflect on our personal lives are elements that appeal to me in my reading. I've not added this one yet simply because I plan to catch up on Patchett's backlist first :)
Superb, touching and personal review Lisa. Now I’m convinced. 💖💖
Candi wrote: "A beautifully written review, Lisa. Authentic characters and the nudge to reflect on our personal lives are elements that appeal to me in my reading. I've not added this one yet simply because I pl..."Candi, this is a quiet novel which I think will appeal to you when you are in the mood and find a place to wedge it in between others in you colossal pile.
What, if any, of her work have you read so far?
April wrote: "Wonderful review!"Thank you, April. this one hit the spot for me.
Margaret M - wrote: "Superb, touching and personal review Lisa. Now I’m convinced. 💖💖"Maragaret, I think this one will appeal to you. Enjoy if/when you get to it!
A lovely review, Lisa! I love books that make me reflect on my own life and family. I look forward to reading this book at some point. On hold at library.
Antoinette wrote: "A lovely review, Lisa! I love books that make me reflect on my own life and family. I look forward to reading this book at some point. On hold at library."I started out at over number 200, so was pleasantly surprised to get this one last week. I think this is a read that you will enjoy.
I wonderful quote and a wonderful review, Lisa. I enjoyed this latest Patchett book too and did a fair amount of reminiscing and reflection also.
Barbara wrote: "I wonderful quote and a wonderful review, Lisa. I enjoyed this latest Patchett book too and did a fair amount of reminiscing and reflection also."Thank you, Barbara. I love how she drew me into the story and kept me engaged, and when I put it down I found myself drawing parallels with my own life.
Lisa wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I wonderful quote and a wonderful review, Lisa. I enjoyed this latest Patchett book too and did a fair amount of reminiscing and reflection also."Thank you, Barbara. I love how sh..."
I agree. I also have three daughters and an experience with summer theaters.
Barbara wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I wonderful quote and a wonderful review, Lisa. I enjoyed this latest Patchett book too and did a fair amount of reminiscing and reflection also."Thank you, Barbara. ..."
The same here except we have 2 daughters.
"What, if any, of her work have you read so far?"I've read State of Wonder and Commonwealth and really liked them a lot. I'm determined to read Bel Canto one of these days! :D
Beautiful review, Lisa! This is truly a book that inspires pause and reflection.
Candi wrote: ""What, if any, of her work have you read so far?"I've read State of Wonder and Commonwealth and really liked them a lot. I'm determined to read Bel Canto one of these days! :D"
I'm smiling at your "one of these days." I have way too many books on that Iist as well.
Sujoya(theoverbookedbibliophile) wrote: "Beautiful review, Lisa! This is truly a book that inspires pause and reflection."Thank you, Sujoya. Yes, and also to notice and appreciate the small ordinary wonders in our lives.
I love this review. It's like sitting on the porch on a Saturday morning, coffee in hand, watching the sunrise and listening to birds.
What a wonderful review, Lisa. i hope your Aunt is okay.
Left Coast Justin wrote: "I love this review. It's like sitting on the porch on a Saturday morning, coffee in hand, watching the sunrise and listening to birds."I don't always make the sunrise, but I do listen to the birds and watch the river first thing with my cuppa'. I'm glad I could bring this feeling to my review and to you as Patchett did for me.
Linda wrote: "What a wonderful review, Lisa. i hope your Aunt is okay."Thank you, Linda.
You know we disagree on this one! But thank you for your insights, and I look forward to discussing more books with you.Most important: I hope your aunt is okay, and I'm so glad you found a book that helped you at that time.
Fran wrote: "You know we disagree on this one! But thank you for your insights, and I look forward to discussing more books with you.Most important: I hope your aunt is okay, and I'm so glad you found a book t..."
Respectful disagreement is a gift; it gives us the opportunity to see another point of view.
And this was definitely the right book for me at the time.
Terrific review, Lisa. As you know, this was just a meh for me. Funny, it did make me look at my life, too, and all I saw was how the cherry picking scenes, the mother daughter actions, were nothing like my life! But I’m fascinated when I read such different takes on a book. The differing reactions to the same book are what makes Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ so much fun. I’m glad it was such a winner for you!I hope your aunt is doing okay,
Debbie wrote: "Terrific review, Lisa. As you know, this was just a meh for me. Funny, it did make me look at my life, too, and all I saw was how the cherry picking scenes, the mother daughter actions, were nothin..."Debbie, sadly my aunt has passed away. I am okay; she is at peace and I got to spend a lot of time with her over the last several months.
I think what is happening in our lives has a big influence on how we receive books. Would I have loved this novel in another phase of my life? Maybe not. Right now, it was the perfect read.
As for the family dynamics, while our daughters and I have idyllic moments like those in this book, in reality I doubt that we could sustain so much peace and harmony over a protracted period of time. In that respect I understand what you are saying.
Sounds like the combo of caring for your aunt and reading this book was a perfect balm for the soul and invitation to self-discovery.
Ken wrote: "Sounds like the combo of caring for your aunt and reading this book was a perfect balm for the soul and invitation to self-discovery."It was indeed, Ken. Sometimes one just needs light and love, and I found it in these pages.
Lovely review as always, Lisa! Reminding me why I cherish your friendship and this community so much, and should never allow myself to stay away this long ever again. Despite the glowing reviews I've been reading from others, this book isn't calling out to me personally at this particular time, but I'm so glad it was a beautiful case of the right book at the right time for you.
James wrote: "Lovely review as always, Lisa! Reminding me why I cherish your friendship and this community so much, and should never allow myself to stay away this long ever again. Despite the glowing reviews I'..."Thank you James; the feeling is mutual. As for the book, this is not one that I would recommend for you. While our tastes align in many places, cozy is not one of them.
Lisa wrote: "Thank you James; the feeling is mutual. As for the book, this is not one that I would recommend for you. While our tastes align in many places, cozy is not one of them."One notable exception just off the top of my head would be Mary Lawson's Crow Lake, a wonderful, semi-"cozy" book we both loved. That actually came to mind when I read this review. But as a general rule, I think you're right, and "cozy" definitely isn't my current reading mood right now anyways lol.
James wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Thank you James; the feeling is mutual. As for the book, this is not one that I would recommend for you. While our tastes align in many places, cozy is not one of them."One notable e..."
Seconding all of this. I adored it but it doesn't strike me as a James book.
James wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Thank you James; the feeling is mutual. As for the book, this is not one that I would recommend for you. While our tastes align in many places, cozy is not one of them."One notable e..."
I agree that Crow Lake is a semi-cozy read. IMO there's enough other to keep it from sliding into coziness.
Thought I had commented on you review, but had not. Familial love is a perfectly chosen word, Lisa. With you sitting in the hospital, I imagine that feeling was heightened while reading. My guess is this read spurred many to personally reflect. Me as well.
Lovely review, Lisa. So glad to have read it now. I appreciate how this book naturally led to self-reflection and gratitude for the life you have with your loved ones. Good books invariably do this effortlessly.
Ron wrote: "Thought I had commented on you review, but had not. Familial love is a perfectly chosen word, Lisa. With you sitting in the hospital, I imagine that feeling was heightened while reading. My guess i..."Ron, that feel of intimacy is one of the many things I love about Patchett's writing. I'm glad you finally got to "meet" her and that you love her writing too.
Laysee wrote: "Lovely review, Lisa. So glad to have read it now. I appreciate how this book naturally led to self-reflection and gratitude for the life you have with your loved ones. Good books invariably do this..."Thank you, Laysee. As you say, good books connect us to our lives, to our inner selves, and/or to our world and push us to think. This one definitely hit the mark for me.
Nice review, Lisa. I love quote you added.
Jeannie wrote: "Nice review, Lisa. I love quote you added."Thanks Jeannie. I find Patchett to be a sensitive, perceptive writer; I really enjoy her work.
