Tom Lake by Ann Patchett – 3 Stars

[Hannah]

I am probably an outlier here in that whilst most people who have read this book seemed to love it, I really didn’t. I didn’t dislike it, I just didn’t love it. I did read this book whereas other people listened to Meryl Streep narrating it, so that may have impacted my opinion of it. I also don’t know the play Our Town, which this story seems very tied in to. I felt there were times where the story was just too nice and the people were too understanding and the book lacked in ambition and liveliness. There was also very little tension during the book and the stakes just weren’t high enough to engage me completely, even when the plot twist happened just after the half-way point. I felt that the book picked up in the final 20-25% and it did really hold my attention then, but that was too late for me as a whole book.

[Holly R W]

Hannah, I liked the book more than you did, but I didn't love it either. I have seen "Our Town" and was rather indifferent to it. Like you, I read the book and missed Meryl Streep's narration, which people say is marvelous.

Other outliers may be quiet about their reactions.

[Sue]

I loved the book, but really don't like "Our Town" at all.

Our local classical music station loves to play Aaron Copeland's theme for the movie version. And I find that song to be singularly depressing. I have to turn the music off when they play it.

[Sue]

And I do think having Meryl Streep as the narrator made a difference.

[Amy]

I’m pretty sure that all of the audio reviews are coming in at five stars where as the written word reviews are more around three. I think your experience is pretty consistent.