This month's meeting was hosted by Cathy, one of our new members. We had lovely home-made muffins and bread with a variety of preserves, fruit and veggies with lovely dips. Coffee that was wonderful and tea. Present were Betty, Carla, Cathy, Colette, Kathleen, Linda, Michèle and Sharon.
We are discussing Sharon's book choice, Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. Ms. Patchett is an American writer whose has written several books. We read one other of her novels, Commonwealth in January 2017. She has won several awards and prizes for her writing including the PEN/Faulkner Women's Prize. She co-owns a Parnassus Bookstore in Nashville and is a spokesperson for independent booksellers.
The story, Tom Lake, is about a family with three grown daughters who come home during the first year of the pandemic to help with the harvest of the family's fruit farm. As they pick the cherries and other fruit, they ask their mother, Lara about her youth and her time as an actress. She tells them about her life as a budding theatre actress and her relationship with a young actor, Peter Duke, who has become a famous movie star.
The iconic play Our Town is an integral part of the story. Lara in her youth and time as a young stage actress stars in the play as the character Emily and Peter Duke who stars by her side, becomes her lover. Lara's daughters are curious of the relationship and question her constantly.
Members in general, enjoyed the novel and felt it is a feel good story about the dynamics of a family during the pandemic. The story reminded many members of the importance of asking questions of family members and keeping family stories alive.
Thank you Sharon for the book choice. Thank you Cathy for hosting, what a pleasant gathering we had!
This, IMHO, was not the best of Patchett's work. It might appeal more to a younger audience who could identify with trying to suss out the details of a parent's life. That said, the characters are well developed and it was an enjoyable read.
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