Told in the first person by Lara Nelson during the pandemic, the novel toggles back and forth between the present and Lara's past. She and Joe's daughters have come home to the family farm in Michigan to spend the pandemic lock down with their parents. Emily is the oldest and has a degree in horticulture with an eye on taking over the farm. Maisie is in vet school and Nell was about to move to NYC to pursue an acting career before COVID-19 hit. Each has a distinctive personality that comes through in their reaction to their mother's story.
When Lara (originally Laura, but she removed the u after reading Dr. Zhivago), was a teenager, she was volunteering at a community theater's auditions for a production of Thornton Wilder's Our Town. After seeing so many trying out for Emily who were less than stellar, she tries out and is selected. This starts her on her acting career and she becomes hooked. During the course of her life, she takes on that role numerous times. During one of these times, she meets a Ripley, a talent scout who encourages her to go to Los Angeles to audition for a movie role. Lara recounts her meeting Peter Duke, a famous actor and their summer stock experience at Tom Lake, her return to New Hampshire that leads her to NYC where she rekindles her friendship and eventually her marriage to Joe Nelson.
The cherry orchard provides the backdrop for this novel and the memories that Lara shares. It is also a cathartic journey for her as she puts her life in perspective for her daughters. It is especially telling as she remembers her time with Peter Duke, during which Emily is convinced that she was conceived. By recounting the time at Tom Lake, she realizes that love at 24 years old is so totally different that the love she feels for Joe. It is then that she is at peace with her life.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book with its style and the emotions that it elicited. Another great Ann Patchett experience.
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