I love Ann Patchett! Yes they are quiet books about ordinary people but extraordinary things happen to them and I think she writes with great integrity and insight. Her characters and settings really live on the page and in your memory. I read Tom Lake around the same time as I read The Wren,the wren by Anne Enright,another favourite author with me,and I much preferred Tom Lake. If I had to choose a favourite AP it would probably be Commonwealth,but I've loved all the ones I've read. State of Wonder was the first one I read and I was hugely impressed with it and delighted to find other titles to devour. Five stars all round every time from me! And I can imagine Meryl Streep really bringing Tom Lake to life in her usual amazing way.
Good to hear. Meryl was of course fantastic but I actually have been thinking about the book on and off since finishing it and I think it might even grow in my estimation. Thanks for letting me know your favs. I will definitely try Commonwealth at some point. 😊📚
Good morning! Back in the 90s, I was a big consumer of audio books. I learned that I prefer my own interpretation of a writer as opposed to interjecting another reader's interpretation into the mix. I also learned that aural comprehension and visual comprehensive are different. Audio is the best way to understand a play, though. I imagine that Streep could make reading the back of a cereal box a fun experience! It's a good time in history that so many reading formats are readily available for so many of us. So glad you enjoyed Tom Lake and thank you for the thought provoking video!
I can completely understand. I still love audio books but the more I listen to the more selective I am about them. As I’ve mentioned I don’t think thrillers work for me on audio as they are so pacey I like to read them on the page. Almost all crime and mystery I’ve read on audio worked less well for me than I think they might have as a book. There is one exception which is Elly Griffiths Ruth Galloway series which were just great on audio for me. I love that we have access to different formats and can all choose what’s best for us. Personally I love a physical book above all other formats, but I do like to have an audiobook on the go. Tom Lake was excellent, and I think you can tell I would happily listen to Meryl Streep read me a cereal box, the phone book, anything! 😂📚😊
I was introduced to Ann Patchett’s books last year when someone mentioned The Dutch House, which I enjoyed. I’d say it was a quiet story, too. Glad to hear you enjoyed the audio book of Tom Lake as it’s up next on my audiobook list.
I’ve not loved any Ann Patchett books like I love this one, but I definitely think it’s because of Meryl Streep narrating…listening to this book is literally my happy place, every time I need to relax or de-stress, I’m pulling up this audio book.
I will have to try some of her others to see. That’s lovely that this audiobook is a relaxing de-stressing one for you! I’d like to listen to it again and I only read it a couple of months ago. 😊📚
Very thoughtful review, thank you! This is a question i have asked myself since reading via audiobook in August & rating 5 stars. Just thinking about the experience I get a fuzzy glow & am transported to the cherry farm. I am eager to re-read this year in print & also try some other Ann Patchett✨🤩📚
I have been thinking about this book on and off all week since I finished it so I think it is the book I loved just as much as the lovely audio reading. I can completely get that fuzzy glow about the cherry farm. 😊📚
I’m curious to read Ann Patchett. I have about 4 of her books on my physical TBR, including Tom Lake, but I haven’t read any of them yet. Fingers crossed I like her 🤣
Interesting question on narration. I definitely think a book can be ruined or elevated by narration, so I think I would struggle to separate the two in reality. This book sounds lovely, but I think the quietness means it’s one of those books that I wouldn’t be against reading, but I probably won’t actively reach for it any time soon. I would like to try some Ann Patchett though, and will probably pick up Bel Canto.
I agree, a narrator can make or break an audiobook for me for sure although not always put me off altogether. I wonder if I would like Abercrombie as much without Steven Pacey! I definitely want to read Bel Canto, and while I think this may not be a book for you, maybe if you like her writing you will read it one day. 😂 If you ever do, defo let Meryl read it to you. 😊📚
I am an Ann Patchett fan through Commonwealth and Bel Canto. Then I tried to read Dutch House but couldn’t get into it. I read Tom Lake paperback but didn’t love it. I think I was distanced from it by not knowing anything about Our Town and I didn’t like the overly sweet mother/ daughters relationship. It’s been compared to Little Women and I guess that’s what you mean by positivity?
I have not read the book or heard of the author, but I have heard Meryl Streep has to like the book before she would do an audiobook, she narrated Heartburn by Nora Ephron, and she was brilliant. I love Our Town I did it in Jr. High, it is a quiet story of a marriage, it is set in the country in states and it's very touching. In the TV movie of Our Town, in 2003, Paul Newman was the narrator he's called the Stage Manager. It's very good, if you can find it. Paul Newman played the lead George Gibb on live TV in the 1950's so it came full circle. There are several version of it as TV movie and movie, if that helps, but as a play you might hunt on RUclips and see if you can find it. It is a regular play for schools in the states but I don't know if it is in the UK. I hope that helps a bit.
That’s brilliant, you could tell Meryl Streep enjoyed reading the book, she was absolutely excellent. I will have to listen to Heartburn. Thanks for all the info on Our Town. I will definitely have to watch it if I can find it. My mum knew of the play but this was my first encounter with it. I felt I got to know it through Lara and her playing Emily multiple times. 😊📚
Tom Lake and Our Town are on my list to get one day... I think reading them together would be fun. I have The Dutch House on my shelf to get to, but I can't think if I've read anything else by Ann Patchett in the past. She is an Author I think I'll really like
Ooh I think reading them together would be really interesting and you’d probably get more out of Tom Lake as well. I definitely want to read The Dutch House. 😊📚
Thanks, Alice!🌷I’ve also listened to the audiobook and loved the story, the style and the… narrator! I had read Our Town before listening to the book and I think it adds something to the atmosphere of the novel and even some lines to the dialogues. What I also liked very much was watching a production of Our Town on youtube with Paul Newman in the role of the Stage Manager. Warmly recommended! Tom Lake is the only work by Ann Patchett I’ve read so far. Simon @SavidgeReads mentioned that Tom Hanks narrates The Dutch House, but I couldn’t find it on the catalogue of audible uk available to me😢I’m definitely going to try something else by Ann Patchett in the future.
Oh excellent! Thanks for the recommendation of the Paul Newman Our Town. I think I will watch that. I had also heard about the Tom Hanks audiobook for The Dutch House which Charlie also recommended. I’ll see if I can find it, maybe on Libby. 😊📚
As a former audiobook narrator I think a narration can make you dislike a book, where a good one can do the opposite. That said, the book itself is the source material the narrator works with and that cannot be changed, only transmitted as good as possible. So I do think that when you like a narrated book, you would also have liked it had you read the original. It’s the author’s work of art, the narrator’s to deliver it as good as possible.
I completely agree, a book can be elevated by a good narrator. Likewise, I have ended up liking some books less where I could tell the narration was a problem. The amount I’ve been thinking about Tom Lake since finishing it suggests that I really do like Ann Patchett’s book. Thanks for giving a former narrator’s perspective on this. 😊📚
Just my little opinion, but it was too quiet and maybe the subject matter didn’t interest me enough (centered around a play/acting). I much preferred The Dutch House and the sister/brother relationship in that… something about that story was more compelling. Maybe you are right and Tom Lake was just too positive - more drama in The Dutch House haha! Dutch House (audio narrated by Tom Hanks) more like a 5 star and Tom Lake very mid for me (3 stars). The writing was beautiful, but just too slow. Also, valid points about being able to separate the audio narrator from the book - I don’t think you can completely.
I do agree that it was a very quiet story. I liked it but I could see that that wouldn’t work for all readers. I was personally quite interested in the play and acting but I think if you weren’t it could have been beautifully written but slow bordering on dull. I will definitely try The Dutch House on your recommendation. 😊📚
I love Ann Patchett! Yes they are quiet books about ordinary people but extraordinary things happen to them and I think she writes with great integrity and insight. Her characters and settings really live on the page and in your memory. I read Tom Lake around the same time as I read The Wren,the wren by Anne Enright,another favourite author with me,and I much preferred Tom Lake. If I had to choose a favourite AP it would probably be Commonwealth,but I've loved all the ones I've read. State of Wonder was the first one I read and I was hugely impressed with it and delighted to find other titles to devour. Five stars all round every time from me! And I can imagine Meryl Streep really bringing Tom Lake to life in her usual amazing way.
Good to hear. Meryl was of course fantastic but I actually have been thinking about the book on and off since finishing it and I think it might even grow in my estimation. Thanks for letting me know your favs. I will definitely try Commonwealth at some point. 😊📚
Good morning! Back in the 90s, I was a big consumer of audio books. I learned that I prefer my own interpretation of a writer as opposed to interjecting another reader's interpretation into the mix. I also learned that aural comprehension and visual comprehensive are different. Audio is the best way to understand a play, though. I imagine that Streep could make reading the back of a cereal box a fun experience! It's a good time in history that so many reading formats are readily available for so many of us. So glad you enjoyed Tom Lake and thank you for the thought provoking video!
I can completely understand. I still love audio books but the more I listen to the more selective I am about them. As I’ve mentioned I don’t think thrillers work for me on audio as they are so pacey I like to read them on the page. Almost all crime and mystery I’ve read on audio worked less well for me than I think they might have as a book. There is one exception which is Elly Griffiths Ruth Galloway series which were just great on audio for me.
I love that we have access to different formats and can all choose what’s best for us. Personally I love a physical book above all other formats, but I do like to have an audiobook on the go.
Tom Lake was excellent, and I think you can tell I would happily listen to Meryl Streep read me a cereal box, the phone book, anything! 😂📚😊
I was introduced to Ann Patchett’s books last year when someone mentioned The Dutch House, which I enjoyed. I’d say it was a quiet story, too. Glad to hear you enjoyed the audio book of Tom Lake as it’s up next on my audiobook list.
I think I might try that one next. Apparently Tom Hanks narrated the audio on that one so I may enjoy it via audio again. 😊📚
If it comes into my audiobook library app I will definitely try it. Love Meryl 😊
I trust your reviews so thank you for making this ❤
Thanks Charlie. Meryl rules! 😊📚
I’ve not loved any Ann Patchett books like I love this one, but I definitely think it’s because of Meryl Streep narrating…listening to this book is literally my happy place, every time I need to relax or de-stress, I’m pulling up this audio book.
I will have to try some of her others to see. That’s lovely that this audiobook is a relaxing de-stressing one for you! I’d like to listen to it again and I only read it a couple of months ago. 😊📚
This doesn't sound like my sort of read, but I'm definitely curious about anything Streep narrates in the future!
Me too! She was brilliant! 😊📚
I read Bel Canto years ago and did really like it. It was one of the ones that could have made my ultimate WP list.
Excellent! I really want to get to that one. 😊📚
Very thoughtful review, thank you! This is a question i have asked myself since reading via audiobook in August & rating 5 stars. Just thinking about the experience I get a fuzzy glow & am transported to the cherry farm. I am eager to re-read this year in print & also try some other Ann Patchett✨🤩📚
I have been thinking about this book on and off all week since I finished it so I think it is the book I loved just as much as the lovely audio reading. I can completely get that fuzzy glow about the cherry farm. 😊📚
I’m curious to read Ann Patchett. I have about 4 of her books on my physical TBR, including Tom Lake, but I haven’t read any of them yet. Fingers crossed I like her 🤣
I hope you do. 😂 Reading Tom Lake has made me want to read more of hers. 😊📚
Interesting question on narration. I definitely think a book can be ruined or elevated by narration, so I think I would struggle to separate the two in reality.
This book sounds lovely, but I think the quietness means it’s one of those books that I wouldn’t be against reading, but I probably won’t actively reach for it any time soon. I would like to try some Ann Patchett though, and will probably pick up Bel Canto.
I agree, a narrator can make or break an audiobook for me for sure although not always put me off altogether. I wonder if I would like Abercrombie as much without Steven Pacey!
I definitely want to read Bel Canto, and while I think this may not be a book for you, maybe if you like her writing you will read it one day. 😂 If you ever do, defo let Meryl read it to you. 😊📚
I read an Ann patches book ages ago but can’t remember much about it. I might look for it when I go to the charity shops
Which one did you read? I think you might like this one if you spot it in a charity shop. 😊📚
@@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf I read the Dutch house and enjoyed it
I am an Ann Patchett fan through Commonwealth and Bel Canto. Then I tried to read Dutch House but couldn’t get into it. I read Tom Lake paperback but didn’t love it. I think I was distanced from it by not knowing anything about Our Town and I didn’t like the overly sweet mother/ daughters relationship. It’s been compared to Little Women and I guess that’s what you mean by positivity?
My favorite Ann Patchett is State of Wonder. It is intense, shocking, and interesting. Second favorite is Bel Canto.
Thank you, I may well end up trying both of those! 😊📚
I have not read the book or heard of the author, but I have heard Meryl Streep has to like the book before she would do an audiobook, she narrated Heartburn by Nora Ephron, and she was brilliant. I love Our Town I did it in Jr. High, it is a quiet story of a marriage, it is set in the country in states and it's very touching. In the TV movie of Our Town, in 2003, Paul Newman was the narrator he's called the Stage Manager. It's very good, if you can find it. Paul Newman played the lead George Gibb on live TV in the 1950's so it came full circle. There are several version of it as TV movie and movie, if that helps, but as a play you might hunt on RUclips and see if you can find it. It is a regular play for schools in the states but I don't know if it is in the UK. I hope that helps a bit.
That’s brilliant, you could tell Meryl Streep enjoyed reading the book, she was absolutely excellent. I will have to listen to Heartburn. Thanks for all the info on Our Town. I will definitely have to watch it if I can find it. My mum knew of the play but this was my first encounter with it. I felt I got to know it through Lara and her playing Emily multiple times. 😊📚
Tom Lake and Our Town are on my list to get one day... I think reading them together would be fun. I have The Dutch House on my shelf to get to, but I can't think if I've read anything else by Ann Patchett in the past. She is an Author I think I'll really like
Ooh I think reading them together would be really interesting and you’d probably get more out of Tom Lake as well. I definitely want to read The Dutch House. 😊📚
Thanks, Alice!🌷I’ve also listened to the audiobook and loved the story, the style and the… narrator! I had read Our Town before listening to the book and I think it adds something to the atmosphere of the novel and even some lines to the dialogues. What I also liked very much was watching a production of Our Town on youtube with Paul Newman in the role of the Stage Manager. Warmly recommended! Tom Lake is the only work by Ann Patchett I’ve read so far. Simon @SavidgeReads mentioned that Tom Hanks narrates The Dutch House, but I couldn’t find it on the catalogue of audible uk available to me😢I’m definitely going to try something else by Ann Patchett in the future.
Oh excellent! Thanks for the recommendation of the Paul Newman Our Town. I think I will watch that.
I had also heard about the Tom Hanks audiobook for The Dutch House which Charlie also recommended. I’ll see if I can find it, maybe on Libby. 😊📚
As a former audiobook narrator I think a narration can make you dislike a book, where a good one can do the opposite. That said, the book itself is the source material the narrator works with and that cannot be changed, only transmitted as good as possible. So I do think that when you like a narrated book, you would also have liked it had you read the original. It’s the author’s work of art, the narrator’s to deliver it as good as possible.
I completely agree, a book can be elevated by a good narrator. Likewise, I have ended up liking some books less where I could tell the narration was a problem. The amount I’ve been thinking about Tom Lake since finishing it suggests that I really do like Ann Patchett’s book. Thanks for giving a former narrator’s perspective on this. 😊📚
I really enjoyed State of Wonder. I want to read Commonwealth next
Thank you. I’ve heard good things about both. 😊📚
I've got 'Bel Canto' on a shelf somewhere, I've not actually read it. One of these days...
I need to get to it one day. Meant to read it last year but I never did get round to a project I intended of reading Women’s prize winners. 😊
Tom Hanks narrates her Dutch House :)
I think I might try that next. 😊📚
I loved Dutch House and These Precious Days. State of Wonder was too weird for me, but that's an unpopular opinion.
Thanks for the recommendations. I will probably try The Dutch House next. 😊📚
Just my little opinion, but it was too quiet and maybe the subject matter didn’t interest me enough (centered around a play/acting). I much preferred The Dutch House and the sister/brother relationship in that… something about that story was more compelling. Maybe you are right and Tom Lake was just too positive - more drama in The Dutch House haha! Dutch House (audio narrated by Tom Hanks) more like a 5 star and Tom Lake very mid for me (3 stars). The writing was beautiful, but just too slow. Also, valid points about being able to separate the audio narrator from the book - I don’t think you can completely.
I do agree that it was a very quiet story. I liked it but I could see that that wouldn’t work for all readers. I was personally quite interested in the play and acting but I think if you weren’t it could have been beautifully written but slow bordering on dull.
I will definitely try The Dutch House on your recommendation. 😊📚