Dear Bookclub.
A wall of beautiful wine bottles beckoned at the Barrel Room while we sipped our water and reminisced about lunches past, when we consumed vast quantities of vino. Reminiscence dominated Ann Patchett's "Tom Lake" in our beloved author's latest. While there was some disappointment about the book not matching our anticipation, it was still well-received and discussion moved from that very topic to the pandemic setting, the "Little Women" comparisons, Peter Duke's personality, Lara's road not taken and ultimately the cherry farm and her family. Val's trepidation about a reading of "Our Town" at the lunch table never crossed my mind (drat!) yet I do admit to having obtained a copy of the Wilder work to delve a little deeper into that character in the book. Patchett's portrayal of the play's auditions was golden at the onset of the novel. Meryl Streep's reading of the audible version also deserves a nod.
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| Guess who |
More than you ever thought possible has been written, pondered and recorded about "Our Town". Included in the "Official Website of the Thornton Wilder Family" is a section of Patchett's book with a link to The Guardian's review of her book:
Val's suggestions for an upcoming read were plentiful and as always hard to whittle down to one. The artful bookshelf she shared must be re-appreciated:
"A Fever in the Heartland" Timothy Egan
"The Art Thief" Michael Finkel *chosen
"Everything She Touched" Marilyn Chase
"Yellowface" R. F. Kuang
"Noble Ambitions" Adrian Tinniswood
Up next:
Happy reading,
LK
