Tom Lake: Book Club Questions and Discussion Topics

“Tom Lake” is perfect for a book club! It’s emotional, reflective, and full of discussion-worthy themes like family, love, and memory. The mix of Lara’s past romance and her daughters’ reactions creates juicy debate material, and the pandemic backdrop adds a relatable twist. Pair it with some cherry pie, and your club’s set!

20 Tom Lake Book Club Questions

Here are 20 discussion questions for Tom Lake by Ann Patchett to spark a lively book club chat:

1. How does Lara’s past relationship with Peter Duke shape her present life and family dynamics?
2. What did you think about the daughters’ reactions to their mother’s stories? Were they justified?
3. Do you think Lara regrets her choices, or is she at peace with her past?
4. How does the cherry orchard setting influence the tone and themes of the story?
5. What role does the pandemic play in the family’s interactions and reflections?
6. Did you relate to Lara’s nostalgia for her youth? Why or why not?
7. How do Peter Duke’s fame and Lara’s past ambitions reflect on their individual life paths?
8. What does the novel say about the way we idealize or reinterpret our pasts?
9. Which of the daughters did you find most relatable, and why?
10. How does storytelling bring the family closer together—or does it create distance?
11. What do you think Lara hopes to teach her daughters through her stories?
12. How does Ann Patchett use nature and seasons to mirror the characters’ emotional states?
13. Was Peter Duke a good or bad influence on Lara’s life?
14. Do you think the daughters see their mother differently after hearing her stories?
15. How does Lara’s marriage compare to her youthful relationship with Duke?
16. What did you think about the book’s exploration of fame and its impact on relationships?
17. How did you feel about the pacing of the novel? Did it enhance the reflective tone?
18. What role does forgiveness—of oneself and others—play in the story?
19. How does the structure of the book (stories within stories) affect the narrative?
20. What did you take away from the novel about the balance between living in the present and reflecting on the past?

These should get the conversations flowing!

Tom Lake: Discussion Topics

Here are some engaging discussion topics for Tom Lake by Ann Patchett:

Themes and Ideas

1. Nostalgia vs. Reality: How does Lara’s storytelling balance romanticizing her past with honest reflection?
2. Family Dynamics: What does the book say about how much children can truly know about their parents?
3. Love and Choices: How do Lara’s choices in love shape her life and the lives of her daughters?
4. Identity and Sacrifice: Did Lara sacrifice her dreams for her family, or did she simply change her priorities?
5. Generational Perspectives: How do the daughters’ views of Lara’s past differ from her own?

Characters

6. Lara’s Complexity: Is she a reliable narrator of her own life?
7. Peter Duke: Was he more of a romantic hero or a cautionary tale?
8. The Daughters: How do Emily, Maisie, and Nell represent different approaches to understanding their mother?

Setting and Context

9. The Pandemic’s Role: How does the COVID-19 backdrop enhance or distract from the story?
10. Cherry Orchard Symbolism: What does the orchard represent in terms of legacy and renewal?

Writing Style

11. Patchett’s Prose: How does the reflective tone influence your connection to the story?
12. Storytelling Layers: How effective is the “story within a story” structure?

Broader Takeaways

13. Past vs. Present: How does Lara’s past inform her present relationships and sense of self?
14. Themes of Forgiveness: Does Lara forgive herself and others? Does she need to?
15. Parenting and Legacy: What lessons does Lara impart to her daughters through her storytelling?

These topics will encourage thoughtful, heartfelt discussions and give everyone in your book club plenty to contribute!