Tom Lake

Reading this book was such a relaxing, pleasant experience. The writing is so smooth and beautiful, and the storytelling is top notch. This is my first Ann Patchett read, but I feel like it will not be the last.

Lara is the book's main character who tells her three daughters the story of her summer fling with a famous actor, Peter Duke. Her family is stuck on their cherry farm during the Covid pandemic lockdown, so they spend their time picking cherries and telling stories. The daughters are obviously fascinated to learn more about their mother's acting experience and her love affair with Duke. Through her story, Lara reveals some unexpected truths that impact her daughters' opinions of her and their beloved actor.

The story unfolds at a slow, but engaging pace. Patchett takes her time describing people and places in a way that places the reader into the events, yet the story never lags. I kept wanting to continue to the next chapter because the storytelling was so good. It felt like I was one of the daughters listening to the story in the cherry orchard.

While the story Lara tells is about her past relationship with a man, the book is really about her current relationships and how she has reached this point in her life. I enjoyed the dynamic between her and her daughters as well as her relationship with her husband. There are a few moments in the present timeline that connect back to Peter Duke, but the story is not about him.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and give it 4.5 stars. The writing is so easy to read and the pace is perfect. While it does not delve into complex or provocative themes, it does tell a beautiful story. And that is enough.