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vlreid's review against another edition
5.0
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!
Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.
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!
Read more of my reviews at https://thegoodreader13.blogspot.com/.
madelinedalton's review against another edition
The stakes are so incredibly low and the time jumps feel confusing and unnecessary. It’ll often jump back to the present and in that scene, pretty much nothing will happen. It really kills the momentum of the story. Emily’s teenage rage about Peter Duke also makes very little sense to me.
sshb's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
sasha_d's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ineshelsen's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
elizamac11's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
lathropkelly's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
przela71's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0