March '25 Book Pick: Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
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If you’re looking for character-driven fiction, nuanced family stories, and the quiet revelations of everyday life, Ann Patchett’s Tom Lake is a must-read.
A Story of Reflection and Family Bonds
Set in the spring of 2020, Tom Lake follows Lara, a mother living on a cherry orchard in Northern Michigan, as her three adult daughters return home during the pandemic. As they pick cherries together, Lara shares the story of her youthful romance with Peter Duke, a man who would later become a famous actor. Her daughters, craving connection and meaning during uncertain times, listen eagerly—and begin to view their mother and themselves in a new light.
Through Lara’s memories, Tom Lake becomes a tender examination of how we define love—romantic, familial, and enduring—and what it means to choose happiness, even as life unfolds unexpectedly.
Why Tom Lake Is Worth the Read
Luminous Storytelling: Ann Patchett’s prose is lyrical yet grounded. She brings emotional richness to the simplest moments—whether it’s picking fruit or remembering an old kiss—making this book feel like a long, heartfelt conversation.
Complex Characters: Tom Lake is a reflection on how time reframes the way we see past loves and present commitments. It’s about the stories we tell our children—and the truths we keep tucked away, even from ourselves.
Themes of Love and Time: Tom Lake is a reflection on how time reframes the way we see past loves and present commitments. It’s about the stories we tell our children—and the truths we keep tucked away, even from ourselves.
Multigenerational Resonance: The dynamic between Lara and her daughters is beautifully portrayed. As they listen to their mother’s past, they confront their own lives and assumptions. The novel beautifully captures how each generation carries different definitions of love, ambition, and contentment.
A Quiet Pandemic Novel: While the story is set during the early days of the pandemic, it isn’t about isolation or fear. Instead, it uses this historical moment as a backdrop for connection, reflection, and pause—a reminder that even in global stillness, our personal histories continue to bloom.
About the author
Ann Patchett is the author of several novels, works of nonfiction, and children’s books. Her novel The Dutch House was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.
Read more about Ann ON HER WEBSITE
Book Club Discussion Questions
- How does Lara’s storytelling shape her daughters’ understanding of her and their family?
- Do you think Peter Duke represents something more than just a past love for Lara?
- In what ways does the pandemic setting affect the tone and themes of the novel?
- How do different characters define happiness throughout the novel?
- Why do you think Lara chose to tell this story now?
- What parallels can be drawn between youthful love and the love Lara has for her husband and children?
- How does Patchett use the orchard as a metaphor throughout the book?
- What did you make of the daughters’ reactions to their mother’s past?
- How does memory serve as a comfort and a burden in the novel?
- If Tom Lake were to be adapted into a film, who would you cast as Lara and Peter Duke?
- How does the novel explore the idea of performance—on stage and in life?
- Do you think Lara has any regrets? Why or why not?
- How does the story reflect the way parents choose which parts of their past to share with their children?
- What role does nature—the orchard, the seasons, the land—play in the emotional atmosphere of the novel?
- How does the novel’s slow pace reflect its deeper themes of reflection, love, and letting go?
Find More Details about Tom Lake on the Book Page
Quietly powerful and exquisitely written, Tom Lake invites readers to reflect on the choices that shape our lives—and how we tell the stories of those choices to the people we love. Whether you’re here for the exquisite writing, the introspective look at motherhood, or the bittersweet nostalgia of first love, don’t miss the chance to read our book pick for March 2025 and let us know your thoughts in the comments.