Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

Tom Lake [Large Print] by Ann Patchett

148 reviews

amandas_bookshelf's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Alcohol, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Moderate: Pregnancy

Minor: Cancer, Child death, Death, and Abortion

beccabuse's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny inspiring reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

I was surprised to find this as one of my favorite reads of 2024. I loved the reflective mood of a mother sharing about her life as a young adult to her now three daughter that are young adults. The cozy atmosphere of their cherry farm next to the chaos of Tom Lake was fun to bounce back and forth from. Excellent storytelling. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism and Abortion

kwthor's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, Mental illness, Racism, Sexual content, Violence, and Alcohol

Minor: Death, Grief, Abortion, and Pregnancy

k8hd9's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

4.25

Initially I wasn't taken with the synopsis or the opening chapter (this was a book group selection not my choice). However, I was drawn into the story by the gentle narrative and found Lara's story compelling. I pretty much read the book in 4 sessions. I know little of cherry farming or summer stock theatre but all the settings and characters felt real and gave heft to the story. I loved the trust and comfort in Lara and Joe's relationship. A beautifully conceived and executed plot with a cast of realistic, flawed, fallible and essentially human characters. A pleasure to read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Cancer, Blood, Abortion, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic

elisalasater's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, and Alcohol

kellyofcali's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-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

A really lovely story of family and love and not a lot, really (and yet also, a life), but it's very beautifully done. I became quite attached to the narrator/mother and her lovely family, and there are some good subtle "reveals" along the way that keep the story moving. A really nice read.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Rape, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Abortion, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

chelle22's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Cancer, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Car accident, Abortion, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic

gracehickman's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective relaxing sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Racism, and Abortion

ferlintokezeirquizes's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

I'm going to miss these characters. 

I think Meryl's narration is truly how this book was meant to be experienced. Perhaps the best audiobook I've ever listened to. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Animal death, Child death, Sexism, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Blood, Vomit, Pregnancy, and Pandemic/Epidemic

pagesofash's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

It's a phenomenal story just not to my tastes, but well written and I'm glad I read it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism and Blood

Moderate: Addiction, Death, Sexism, Medical trauma, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Minor: Abortion and Pregnancy