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Lisa of Troy's Reviews > Tom Lake
Tom Lake
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Rare occasion where the audiobook is better than the text
Yep, scandalous I know, but I am going to share my disappointments about a book set largely in Michigan. Buckle up.
During the pandemic, mother Laura/Lara sits down with her three adult daughters, sharing glimpses of the one summer Lara dated Peter Duke, a now famous movie star.
The framing of this story is enormously too heavy. There is a now and then timeline, but the book spends too much time on the present timeline.
The tone is a bit nauseating, a mixture of extreme sugary sweet with a melancholy sadness of regret and nostalgia for times past.
And, the ending, although unexpected, seemed abrupt and dissatisfying. What happened to Pallace? Hasn’t Ann Patchett heard of Josephine Baker?
On a bright note, the audiobook narrator, Meryl Streep, gave a wonderous performance!
The Green Light at the End of the Dock (How much I spent):
Hardcover Text – $30 (A signed copy from The Strand in New York)
Audiobook – Free through Libby
2025 Reading Schedule
Jan A Town Like Alice
Feb Birdsong
Mar Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere
Apr War and Peace
May The Woman in White
Jun Atonement
Jul The Shadow of the Wind
Aug Jude the Obscure
Sep Ulysses
Oct Vanity Fair
Nov A Fine Balance
Dec Germinal
Connect With Me!
Blog Twitter BookTube Insta My Bookstore at Pango
Yep, scandalous I know, but I am going to share my disappointments about a book set largely in Michigan. Buckle up.
During the pandemic, mother Laura/Lara sits down with her three adult daughters, sharing glimpses of the one summer Lara dated Peter Duke, a now famous movie star.
The framing of this story is enormously too heavy. There is a now and then timeline, but the book spends too much time on the present timeline.
The tone is a bit nauseating, a mixture of extreme sugary sweet with a melancholy sadness of regret and nostalgia for times past.
And, the ending, although unexpected, seemed abrupt and dissatisfying. What happened to Pallace? Hasn’t Ann Patchett heard of Josephine Baker?
On a bright note, the audiobook narrator, Meryl Streep, gave a wonderous performance!
The Green Light at the End of the Dock (How much I spent):
Hardcover Text – $30 (A signed copy from The Strand in New York)
Audiobook – Free through Libby
2025 Reading Schedule
Jan A Town Like Alice
Feb Birdsong
Mar Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere
Apr War and Peace
May The Woman in White
Jun Atonement
Jul The Shadow of the Wind
Aug Jude the Obscure
Sep Ulysses
Oct Vanity Fair
Nov A Fine Balance
Dec Germinal
Connect With Me!
Blog Twitter BookTube Insta My Bookstore at Pango
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Tom Lake.
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Reading Progress
November 16, 2023
– Shelved
June 22, 2024
–
Started Reading
June 27, 2024
–
Finished Reading
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Vicky
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Jun 27, 2024 08:21AM
Sad to read this review. I have the book and was looking forward to reading it. I guess I will try to get the audiobook as well so that I can listen at the same time as I read.
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Agree! Agree! Darn, I really like Ann Patchett. I started the book and it was a struggle then I saw the audio. Meryl Streep :) Not much better, but Meryl Streep! I did finish with maybe a 3 rating.
thank you, now I don't feel about about skipping this one
I am a huge fan of Ann Patchett, as I live in Nashville and frequent her bookstore. It all began with Bel Canto, which I studied in a lit class in college. Her books on animals and her advocacy of rescues, makes her a kindred spirit. I’ve not read this book, yet. Only, it sits on my library shelf. It saddens me a bit, that it’s falls short, for you. I will pick it up to read when I have a break from book clubs I’m obligated to. As always, I love your reviews. 🌻
I love and adore Ann Patchett. My book club made a pilgrimage to Nashville where we met her and I interview her for my radio show. Also had the privilege of having her shove some books in my hands, telling me I must read them. However, when I learned Meryl would be reading this, no question I was listening. I’m not a big audiobook person now that I don’t travel for work but this, this was exceptional.
I have read Atonement, The Woman in White, and the Shadow of the Wind. When you read The Woman in White, know that it caused England to change laws so women would have more rights. It wouldn’t sell if released today because of its overly detailed descriptions and formal tone.
Just finished the book and then came across your review. Wow, it seems we feel the exact same may about this one. I could not wait for the book to finish.
I got to about 20% and decided this would be a DNF for me. I just couldn't get into for the exact same reasons you described.
