Reviews with content warning for Pandemic/Epidemic - Tom Lake

Reviews tagging 'Pandemic/Epidemic'

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

70 reviews

americattt's review against another edition

emotional 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

4.25

“It is sentimental and useless to tell someone you would gladly give them your past because the past is nontransferable, and anyway, I would have wanted to give her only the good days.”

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leahgustafson's review against another edition

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emotional reflective relaxing slow-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

This is the first book I finished this year, and I already know it will be on my “Best of the Year” list. I loved everything about this one!

•

This is simultaneously a coming of age story and a reflective look at the past from a middle-aged narrator. It is looking back on a life well-lived with all the ups, downs, and turns along the way. I love how the family relationships were depicted, especially the relationships between sisters.

•

This book highlights the importance of stories, especially in difficult times (as it’s set during the COVID lockdown in the spring of 2020). It also illuminates how we CHOOSE to tell our stories. This is something I hadn’t thought much about previously. However, it leads to questions about how well we can truly know others and in this case, how well children can know their parents.

•

The Midwest charm filled my heart with so much joy! Also, while this is technically a pandemic novel, COVID is simply the backdrop that allows this story to happen. I enjoyed the duality Lara very beautifully articulates—the world is falling apart AND she feels immense gratitude for the opportunity to slow down and just “be” with her adult children.

•

This one absolutely lived up to the hype for me, and it’s one I will likely revisit someday. Meryl Streep is fantastic on the audio version if you’re looking for something good to listen to 🎧📖

•
Check out what I'm reading next on Instagram @LeahsLitReview!

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moack_5's review against another edition

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hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

An interesting walk through the life of a young woman. Involving fame, career, family, and sickness. A retelling of a story of fame to a sweet family.

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karolinez's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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sarahweyand's review against another edition

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emotional 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

4.75

My mom recommended this book to me and I can't believe I was skeptical when I grabbed the audiobook from the library. The plot didn't really speak to me, but I new Meryl Streep was the narrator so I figured she could get me through anything. But I listened to and consumed this book gladly. I think it's the perfect book for winter when you need something to remind you of warmer, brighter times.

It's no surprise Meryl Streep knocks it out of the park when it comes to narration. On top of that, the writing was simple but impactful, and I cared about all of our characters both within the protagonist's family and the story she is telling. There are some emotional and difficult topics that are talked about, but it doesn't really bring down the energy of the story. Ann Patchett is clearly a masterful storyteller and I'm learning that I just need to trust that whatever she writes is going to be a banger.

I really can't say anything more about this book other than that it was wonderful and I couldn't recommend it highly enough. Even if the synopsis doesn't sound like something you'd enjoy, give it a go anyways if you like literary fiction.

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athenap92's review against another edition

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slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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iconicavocado's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

(read via book & audiobook)

Book 📖: 3.5/5 stars

Audiobook 🎙️: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I don't think I have felt as conflicted about a book rating than this one. Ultimately I just going to come to terms that though this is a sweetly, nostalgically written book with a lovely audiobook (It's Meryl Streep for God sakes!): it just didn't land for me.

I got some quams with certain choices made but mainly I'm not the target audience for this. I feel if were more of a appreciate of theatre this would be my jam. I love the dynamic with the mom, Lara, and her family and the present day story. But I couldn't believe in the love Lara has with her ex boyfriend, Peter Duke. Which is what the book is centered around and it does not work for me.

Also I found 3 spelling/writing errors while reading off some of the digital book. Two were words swaps and one was a complete misspelling of the word "say" spelled "stay". At first I thought Meryl misspoke but the third time I realized it may be a publishing error. I'm getting really annoyed I keep finding misspellings and errors in new work nowadays. Seriously is it that hard to proof your work, publishers?

If you love plays, classical literature, and stories about family this is a book for you. And I have to say the audiobook is FANTASTIC. I loved how Meryl read the book and I wouldn't have liked it as much I have without her.

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maceydowns's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

feeling a bit like this book taught me the same lesson as everything everywhere all at once — but maybe that’s just the lesson I’m seeking right now.

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katietregs's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-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? It's complicated

2.0

Quite sentimental. Not a lot of twists and turns. The writing is good, but most of the characters feel quite flat. Very pro farm. My main takeaway is that this woman loves farm.

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bookshelfhannah's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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