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pammuribe's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
listening to this on audio and having meryl streep narrate is 🤌🏽🤌🏽🤌🏽 she was phenomenal. overall, I loved the concept of an older Lara retelling an important part of her life to her three daughters because it really highlights the complexity of a woman’s choices. often times, we look at our mothers/elder female figures and think “they must’ve had the right answers all along” when really..they’re just girls who makes mistakes too.
duuj's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Perfectly nice book, but not very memorable. Really liked Meryl Streep as the reader, though.
jamekeith's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Huge agree to everything my friend @Stellareadsandwrites said in her review. This book is just so beautiful! I am obsessed with media that focuses on the appreciation of the little things in life, and Tom Lake has this in spades. Lara is just the best, I could have read a thousand more pages of not just her reflections on her past, but also her present. The way she talks about her daughters, and Joe, and the life she now lives, BAH. It's really good. I really didn't like the scene with Lara and Peter in the rehab centre at the end. I think I totally get why it is there, and I think there is probably has a good reason for being there, and I am sure that I am stupid for saying this - but I would have liked it if maybe that scene wasn't there. It just left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. Despite the actual ending of the book being so lovely, it was that scene that stuck with me. Hopefully on a re-read I feel differently!
Also, I read this alongside the audiobook narrated by our Lord and Saviour Meryl Streep. Best audiobook to ever bless my ears! She is unreal, the subtle differences between the characters are so well done. It really felt like she was Lara, telling her daughters these stories. So good!
Also, I read this alongside the audiobook narrated by our Lord and Saviour Meryl Streep. Best audiobook to ever bless my ears! She is unreal, the subtle differences between the characters are so well done. It really felt like she was Lara, telling her daughters these stories. So good!
hullabalyew's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I had no idea what to expect going into this book, and I loved it. I loved the cozy family vibes and the story telling. It felt like it could have been a work of non-fiction.
mayayam's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75
ainsleyreads's review against another edition
3.5
absolutely beautiful writing. I love the descriptor of ann's prose as 'simple' meant in a way that's wholy complimentary. but pacing was up and down I think?
its quite lovely and reflective. but I think I would have hated this book if meryl streep didn't kick ass
its quite lovely and reflective. but I think I would have hated this book if meryl streep didn't kick ass
literallyilliterate's review against another edition
5.0
As a reader, one of the best feelings is when a book you predicted would be five stars IS ACTUALLY FIVE STARS.
Tom Lake is a wonderful listen. Meryl Streep's narration adds humor and emotion at just the right parts, really enhancing the story. Sure, there are some weird things in this book, but for me personally they didn't take away from my enjoyment. Even if this had just been about the Michigan cherry farm and had nothing to do with Peter Duke or theatre, I would've enjoyed it. Lara and the relationships she has with her husband and girls are so beautiful and sweet; they seriously felt like real people to me. What I love most is that Lara could have had everything. She could've become a highly acclaimed actress like Duke, yet she was content to live on a cherry farm in Michigan with her three daughters. I want the kind of gratitude and contentment she has with where she's ended up in life. The writing was a bit jarring at times but was very good overall. This was my first Anne Patchett novel, and I don't think it will be my last.
Tom Lake is a wonderful listen. Meryl Streep's narration adds humor and emotion at just the right parts, really enhancing the story. Sure, there are some weird things in this book, but for me personally they didn't take away from my enjoyment. Even if this had just been about the Michigan cherry farm and had nothing to do with Peter Duke or theatre, I would've enjoyed it. Lara and the relationships she has with her husband and girls are so beautiful and sweet; they seriously felt like real people to me. What I love most is that Lara could have had everything. She could've become a highly acclaimed actress like Duke, yet she was content to live on a cherry farm in Michigan with her three daughters. I want the kind of gratitude and contentment she has with where she's ended up in life. The writing was a bit jarring at times but was very good overall. This was my first Anne Patchett novel, and I don't think it will be my last.
swagittarius_reads's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
not the best book, but not the worst