Ann Patchett tells stories of family like no other. She draws the reader into their history, environment, and perceived notions of. one another. A must for any collection.

Patchett has written some of my favorite novels so I was excited to have the opportunity to read this book. Once again, she has penned a beautiful story of love and decency. Lara is recounting her acting career for her 3 daughters during the Covid lockdown.

Her daughters force her to retell the story of her long ago relationship with a man who became a superstar, as well as how their parents met. Lara’s relationships with acting and Peter Duke merge during her portrayal of Emily Webb in “Our Town.”The production was staged at Tom Lake in Northern Michigan. The ultimate irony is the love that endures is for Michigan, not each other.

Her acting career is short lived, but she has the opportunity to cross paths with another member of the troop, Joe Nelson. It is Joe who endures with his cherry farm in Michigan. It is their story that is the heart of the novel and Lara’s happiness with her life.

This is a lovely novel that I highly recommend. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read, review and reflect on this novel.

Another beautiful world created by Ann Patchett. Set amongst the beautiful summer in a Michigan cherry orchard, Lara recounts her days as a young actress to her three daughters. The dual timeline seamlessly transitions between past and present, between the road to fame and the road to happiness in a simple life. I couldn’t stop thinking about getting back to the world of the cherry orchard as I went though my daily life here in snowy Arizona. Thanks for another beautiful read!

I love Ann Patchett’s books. The reflective, perfectly paced books focus on life and the intricate intersections between characters that give life its shape. This story follows Lara along a dual timeline. In the present, she is the mother of three grown daughters, each pursuing different interests — one will take over the orchard Lara and her husband run in Northern Michigan; one will be a vet; and one longs to be an actress. The narrative takes a jump backwards as she tells her daughters the story of her pre-orchard life. Some parts are stories well loved and often told, others have not been told before, and a few are only whispered in her own mind (and — obviously — to us).

This previous life features Lara the actress — once on the fast track to fame and glory. The threads come together beautifully, as always — Patchett is a master of her craft. The stories don’t really go the way you would imagine because life never does. No twisty surprises, just different paths taken, each a result of experiences and self insight. I was completely drawn in from page one and never felt like stopping. Would happily befriend her whole family.

I almost waited for the audio book because I adored Tom Hanks reading The Dutch House but ultimately could not resist. I dove head first into Tom Lake. Lara’ and Joe’s 20-something daughters return home to the family’s orchard during the pandemic and beg their mother to tell stories of her youth when she dated and starred in a summer stick play. A story of family, motherhood, paths untaken, and the paths that are destined. Loved it!!!

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett is a bright, bold, and truly beautiful novel, matches the cover art perfectly. I absolutely loved it. Patchett has saved me multiple times. Bel Canto, Truth & Beauty, The Dutch House. Most everything Saint Patchett publishes makes an indelible impression on me. Often, youth is a theatrical production, and this story is a classic tale of love, betrayal, heartbreak, and then moving on to work hard for family stability,