A review by jamekeith
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

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!