Andria Flores discusses Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

We’re excited to chat with Andria Flores about Tom Lake. Check out our conversation below.

Andria, it’s always a great day when we have a chance to connect. Thanks for taking the time to share one of your favorite books with us. What can you tell us about Tom Lake?
Tom Lake portrays a briefly famous actress, Lara, as she regales her glory days coming up in the industry to her three daughters. All the while, the girls pull together with her and their father during the global pandemic to work their family’s beloved cherry orchard in Michigan. The girls both know the story, and also draw the details from her, thereby learning new facets of their mother’s life and relating to her as young women, not just daughters who were once her little girls.

Awesome, so let’s dive a bit more into why this book matters to you.
I appreciate the way the author exposed all facets of a woman’s life from the innocence of childhood, through the clumsiness and newfound sophistication of young adulthood, to the responsibility and the bliss of motherhood, and the coming to oneself a woman will do with maturity. In this novel, we see how Lara relates to her peers and her lover in her twenties, how she relates to her husband whom she loves deeply and comfortably, her daughters at their different ages and with their various perspectives on life, and even how she relates to herself, knowing what is hers to share and hers to keep.

What themes stood out to you most and were there any perspectives or insights that you felt have helped you expand your worldview?
I felt that the main character was everything she wanted to be without having to be loud and prove it. She just lived the life she wanted to, and when she wanted to change direction, she simply did. It helped me see that I don’t have to fight anyone or prove anything to just be who I am, to give my attention to what I choose, to say what I want to say and hold anything I choose to just for me.

How did you discover this book?
I found this book in my audiobook app, performed by the exceptional Meryl Streep.

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