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gcavagnaro 's review for:
Tom Lake
by Ann Patchett
3.5 stars rounded up because I listened to the audiobook and Meryl Streep ABSOLUTELY ELEVATED this to another level! I'm not sure I would have liked the character as much if not for her interpretative mastery.
I found this to be quite fresh and enjoyed the ways in which the characters got to live full lives in different ways, with the stark contrast of acting vs. farming. I also always love seeing a healthy and long lasting marriage portrayed along with a well functioning parental relationships too. At some points I got confused as to what was going on / if we were in the past or the present, but eventually the format of a mother telling her daughters of a prior time became more endearing than confusing. The characters also felt well developed and compelling. The one part I found unnecessary was the abortion - I almost would have preferred it if the secret reveal was that Emily really was Duke's biological daughter.
Nonetheless, this was overall sweet and heartwarming while still being poignant!
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Audiobooked this for a second time in June, and the sentiments remain the same.
I found this to be quite fresh and enjoyed the ways in which the characters got to live full lives in different ways, with the stark contrast of acting vs. farming. I also always love seeing a healthy and long lasting marriage portrayed along with a well functioning parental relationships too. At some points I got confused as to what was going on / if we were in the past or the present, but eventually the format of a mother telling her daughters of a prior time became more endearing than confusing. The characters also felt well developed and compelling. The one part I found unnecessary was the abortion - I almost would have preferred it if the secret reveal was that Emily really was Duke's biological daughter.
Nonetheless, this was overall sweet and heartwarming while still being poignant!
--
Audiobooked this for a second time in June, and the sentiments remain the same.