18.5k reviews for:

Tom Lake

Ann Patchett

4.06 AVERAGE

desaevio95's review against another edition

2.0

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I had trouble following the character relationships. They never seemed to rise above their stock castings. Meryl Streep reading the audiobook for this seems beneath her, frankly. Although I do think she makes an excellent narrator. It was much faster when I had to switch to a physical copy, read at various bookstores and the library.

prettyfaroutman's review

4.5

emotional reflective relaxing slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

tallglassowater's review against another edition

4.5

emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Loveable characters: Yes

tannercurtis's review

4.0

emotional lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

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A warm hug of a book. The story comes as organically as breathing. You’re never all that surprised, but you are captivated.

lkoeller's review against another edition

4.75

hopeful inspiring reflective 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: No

matt2thefuture's review

4.25

emotional hopeful reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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Tom Lake was not a book I expected to really like. Then, I began reading it and was even more surprised because large, blocky text and meandering pace are two more things that usually turn me off quickly. But Patchett is a such a wonderful writer that none of that even registered most of the time. Her way with words is remarkable, so many delightful turns of phrase, it's just enjoyable to read her.

Tom's characters are alive and memorable, the pacing is slow but inviting, and it's a book that I found myself thinking about between sittings, which is not something I'm prone to do--particularly with a book built like this. I was searching Patchett's back catalogue long before I finished. 

Recommended for literary fiction readers and also for readers who don't read these types of books. I don't--and I was quite taken with Tom Lake. Patchett is good enough to take you outside of your reading comfort zone and tell you a tale you'll enjoy. That's special.

bookwormstyle's review

3.75

hopeful reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

alyssanm21's review against another edition

2.0

lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

emilyreads63525280's review

3.25

hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

sarahmhall94's review against another edition

3.0

slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated