Tom Lake - Ann Patchett

I have not read The Cherry Orchard by Chekhov, and I think I saw Our Town by Thornton Wilder while I was in high school. These two works flow through Ann Patchett's new novel Tom Lake. As Lara reminisces about a love of her youth to her three daughters, the threat of covid is in the background, and the cherry trees that is their livelihood ripen. I liked Tom Lake, but not wholeheartedly. The story is too sweet, the daughters are too lovely, the plot is somewhat unbelievable; but I was engrossed and kept on reading. If you're looking for a warm summer read with just a hint of darkness in the background, this is a book for you.