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Tom Lake  By  cover art

Tom Lake

By: Ann Patchett
Narrated by: Meryl Streep
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Publisher's summary

THIS SUMMER, DIVE INTO TOM LAKE – A BREATH-TAKING NOVEL FROM ANN PATCHETT

This is a story about Peter Duke who went on to be a famous actor. This is a story about falling in love with Peter Duke who wasn’t famous at all. It’s about falling so wildly in love with him – the way one will at twenty-four – that it felt like jumping off a roof at midnight. There was no way to foresee the mess it would come to in the end.

It’s spring and Lara’s three grown daughters have returned to the family orchard. While picking cherries, they beg their mother to tell them the one story they’ve always longed to hear – of the film star with whom she shared a stage, and a romance, years before.

Tom Lake is a meditation on youthful love, married love, and the lives parents lead before their children are born. Both hopeful and elegiac, it explores what it means to be happy even when the world is falling apart.

©2023 Ann Patchett (P)2023 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Critic reviews

‘Filled with the moments I live for in a story – careful, compelling insights into human nature, the most effortless humour, and the kind of vivid descriptions that reveal exactly how something is’ BONNIE GARMUS, bestselling author of Lessons in Chemistry

‘Beautifully imagined, funny and tender ... Ann Patchett leads us with the intelligence, detail, wit and nuance of the greatest chroniclers of human nature and relationships’ RACHEL JOYCE, bestselling author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

What listeners say about Tom Lake

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Cannot fault this audible book

This is a beautiful book and the narration by Meryl Streep adds to the experience - I would have given it 6 stars if I could.

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Insightful / gentle cherry infused family story

Insightful of what happens to some in the movie/ acting world
Yet a gentle family centered story encapsulated by cherry trees

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Feel-good easy read

This is an "All is well with the world" novel.

All's also well that ends well.

(Not to say that there are no plot twists....)

The performance is wonderful. Who can fault Meryl Streep's performance? (Ever!)

(PS This is not a "deep" read with a critical political message or social commentary like Prophet Song by Paul Lynch or The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida.
This is also much easier to read than, say, Demon Copperhead. Thus, it is a nice palate cleanser for those who like the heavier reads (like Booker Prize listed books) or it would just please those who like a pleasant and enjoyable yarn or a holiday relaxer. Ann Pratchett does well - as we have come to expect.)

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Perfect performance

A perfect narration by Meryl Streep of a beautifully woven story. A story of complex and intertwined lives that made no space for negativity - fascinating and delightful.

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To life with Merle Streep

To say that Merle Streep brings this to life is an understatement. I was completely absorbed in this amazing rendition made possible by the eloquence, intelligence, sadness and kindness of the words of Ann Patchett. Will live with me.

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Great narrations

Nice reflection on mid life - very privileged rear view perspective on the covid period however tainted the story for me

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Don’t miss this

A stunning book made even more special with Meryl’s narration. She was the perfect choice.

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A unique and captivating tale

Had to binge this one, loved the characters, felt very authentic. Why can’t I leave a shorter review?

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Sublime

Patchett and Streep - what could possibly go wrong? Nothing. One of the top listens of 23.

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Great story superbly narrated

I love Streep as an actress and she is no less accomplished a narrator and adds much value to the lead character who narrates the story through jumping back and forth from past to present. A well constructed novel with interesting characters well built. Not quite a page turner but an excellent read nonetheless and I would read Patchett again.

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