Discover thought-provoking Tom Lake book club questions here. Ann Patchett’s #1 New York Times bestselling Reese’s book club selection has topped so many readers’ “best of the year” lists and offered so much to talk about, from the meaning of happiness to love and family.
You’ll foster meaningful discussion and get free printable book club questions to prepare for your in-person book club. Get started below.
Tom Lake Book Club Questions
Spoiler Alert: There are spoilers in these discussion questions for Tom Lake.
Did you read or watch Our Town too?
If so, did you draw any comparisons between Our Town and Tom Lake?
Of all plays, why do you think Patchett chose Our Town for Tom Lake?
If you’ve read Ann Patchett before, how did Tom Lake stack up for you?
Discuss the format by which you read Tom Lake.
Discuss the significance of the cherry farm setting.
Discuss the timing of COVID-19 in Tom Lake.
Did you identify most with any of the three daughters?
Tom Lake was decidedly not a “sliding doors” (What if?) type of novel. Why do you think Patchett made this choice and made it so clear to the reader?
Who would you cast in a movie adaptation?
Did the “story within a story” work for you?
Discuss any significance of the age difference between Lara and Duke.
What attracted Lara and Duke to each other?
Why did Lara end up with Joe?
Why did Tom Lake remain so memorable to the characters?
Describe Lara’s career path and how it, and she, changed over time.
Why does Lara tell her life story beyond that of her romantic relationship to her daughters?
Why does Lara keep certain parts of the story to herself?
How does Lara view the past?
How does Lara view the present?
Describe the reactions of Lara’s three daughters to her story.
How may this story differ from another character’s perspective?
Describe Lara’s view of motherhood in this book about motherhood.
Discuss Lara’s life view and what the reader can take from it.
Did each character “end up” the way you expected?
Printable Discussion Questions
Download printable book club discussion questions to prepare for your in-person book club below.
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Why Tom Lake Is a Good Book Club Book
My Review: ★★★★★ (For more details, read my summary of Tom Lake and/or review of Tom Lake.)
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett is about three adult daughters who return to their parent’s Michigan cherry farm during the pandemic. Their mother tells them the story of how she dated a famous actor in her youth at a Summer theater job.
Tom Lake quickly became one of my top reads of 2023, as I am a huge fan of Ann Patchett’s books. I also think a lot of people will be picking this one up for discussion as it’s an amazing book club book to discuss together or ruminate on your own.
It’s a rumination on real love, how the past leads to the present, and what parts of a story to retell.
TIPS
- Actress Meryl Streep exquisitely narrates the Tom Lake audiobook. However, the print version will also allow you to slowly indulge in the luscious prose (plus it has a display-worthy book cover).
- I read Our Town first and watched the adaptation too. You don’t “have to” but you will learn spoilers of the play otherwise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Tom Lake by Ann Patchett was selected as a pick by Reese’s book club, and it offers many though-provoking themes for discussion, including family, love, and happiness.
At the end of Tom Lake by Ann Patchett, Sebastian visits and Duke’s ashes are buried in the Nelson family’s cemetary. The Nelson family looks forward to apple harvest season and Emily’s wedding.
Conclusion
Tom Lake is an incredibly thought-provoking novel that offers so many topics for discussion about love, life, and the choices we make along the way. It’s also good to compare to the play that is featured in it, Our Town. These Tom Lake book club questions foster engaging discussions that explore the depth, characters, and themes of this popular tale.
If your club loved this book and wants a similar book to read next, check out these family dramas:
Keep the discussion going! Share your thoughts on Tom Lake or any remaining questions you may have in the comments below.
