Tom Lake was an enchanting and cozy story about a family that comes together during the pandemic, like many did, and the matriarch reflects on her life while entertaining her grown children with stories of her past.
A novel that takes place during Covid might not appeal to some, but I really enjoyed this premise as a vehicle for the storytelling. It’s not pervasive as it sets the scene, and the atmosphere and sense of place in summertime northern Michigan was so beautifully rendered. I kind of wish I had read this during the summer, rather than in the middle of autumn. Perhaps I will do a reread, and give the audiobook a try, because it is read by the one and only Meryl Streep.
I do feel as though I was missing out on additional context, since I have no familiarity with the play Our Town. I think that might have given me some further insight into Lara’s character who came across as a bit of an enigma. Overall, I love reading Patchett’s work and the way this story comes together - especially how it relates back to the cover (how Ann chose the art is a great story worth googling!)

“There is no explaining this simple truth about life: you will forget much of it. The painful things you were certain you’d never be able to let go? Now you’re not entirely sure when they happened, while the thrilling parts, the heart-stopping joys, splintered and scattered and became something else. Memories are then replaced by different joys and larger sorrows, and unbelievably, those things get knocked aside as well.”