Ann Patchett really blew me away with this novel. I have never read any of her books and decided to read Tom Lake only because I just kept hearing everyone raving about it (seems to happen with a lot of books that I put off reading… I end up loving them!). 

With this novel, I felt the full force of feeling like a family again with everyone home. Now that most of my siblings are grown, it’s usually only holidays that we’re all together. So, reading this novel and seeing how Lara felt about her girls being back together really made me feel like a little kid again. It also made me appreciate the time I’ve spent with my own daughter a lot more. 

As far as writing, characters, and plot go, I have very little to complain about. The writing style was gorgeous and easy to read. I never felt like the descriptions were too much or the inner dialogue too philosophical. It all felt like just the right amount of realistic to the point where it reminds you that you’re human. The alternating point of views between past and present went together so seamlessly that it truly felt like your own mother was telling you the story of her life. 

With the characters, I felt each was developed really well. I could easily tell each daughter apart. I could distinguish between the past and the present with ease. The only character I wish I could’ve seen more of though, was Lara’s husband, Joe. He felt like he was situated so firmly in the background (and maybe that was on purpose?) that you really knew nothing about him except that Lara loved him. I found it disappointing to be completely honest. 

So, with the plot I really enjoyed the setup and layout of this novel. I honestly must’ve missed the part about it being during COVID and the lockdown until almost halfway through the book (but I can be a little oblivious sometimes when I’m reading). I love that Tom Lake is setup as a mother telling her daughters her life as an actress and how it seamlessly transitions from present to past in a storytelling way. The only thing I really didn’t like about the plot was a tiny part at the end.

Spoilers ahead.

Okay, it may just be me, but I absolutely hated that she went to visit Duke after being away from him for so long. On top of that, having a quickie with him? It felt so freaking out there that it was unbelievable to me. That she got pregnant and then had an abortion afterwards? That whole plot point felt like a way to just give the audience a “shocking” moment and not actually add to anything in the story. It was just a little too… out there for me. I did not need that in the book for it to feel complete. Duke and Lara’s story didn’t need that either.

Overall, this was an amazing book reflecting on family, friends, and the sum of one’s life. If you loved Little Women or other books centered around the strong bond of family, you’ll adore Tom Lake.

Source: Audiobook from Libby Public Library

(P.S. You can read this book for free by signing up for a free trial of Audible, which gives you two free audiobooks of your choice!)