Tom Lake by Ann PatchettMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Ann Patchett's latest novel is a family saga set in northern Michigan. Lara and her husband Joe live on a cherry farm in Traverse City. Their three adult daughters have returned home at the beginning of the pandemic to help harvest the cherries. To pass the time, the girls ask their mother to tell them the story of how she met and fell in love with Peter Duke, before he was a famous actor. The story weaves seamlessly between present day and Lara's time spent as an actor in the summer stock play of "Our Town" in a nearby small town, Tom Lake.
Patchett's writing draws the reader into the romance, peacefulness, and beauty that is northern Michigan. Her language, phrasing and characters are so compelling. I was immediately drawn into Lara's backstory and her family, and kept trying to find time to sneak away and read more. In addition, I learned so much about summer stock theater and cherry farming.
I read this book on Kindle, but I have heard excellent reviews of Meryl Streep's performance in the audiobook and would like to listen to it in the near future.
Highly recommended! I have read quite a few 5 star books recently -- ending the year with a bang!
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